About these terms
These terms apply to your use of the Stagebound website, your registration or entry into the Stagebound competition, and any sponsorship agreements made through this site. By using the site, entering the competition, or signing a sponsorship agreement, you accept these terms.
"We", "us", "our" and "Stagebound" all refer to Stagebound, the youth talent competition based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. "You" refers to the person using the website, entering the competition, or partnering with us.
We may update these terms occasionally. The "Last updated" date at the top shows the current version. Material changes will be communicated to active entrants and sponsors.
Use of the website
You're welcome to use this website to learn about Stagebound, register interest, contact us, enquire about sponsorship, or formally enter the competition.
You agree not to:
- Submit false, misleading or fraudulent information through our forms
- Use the site to send spam, harassment, or unsolicited material
- Attempt to access, scrape, or interfere with restricted parts of the site (including our admin dashboards)
- Upload malicious content or attempt to compromise site security
- Copy, republish or commercially exploit content from this website without our permission
We reserve the right to refuse service, block IP addresses, and remove any submission that breaches these rules.
Competition entry
Entry to the Stagebound competition is subject to these terms and the specific rules published in the official entry pack when entries open. Submitting an entry form is your agreement to abide by both.
Registering interest vs. entering
Registering your interest on this website is not a formal competition entry. It simply puts your name on the list so we can notify you when entries officially open. Formal entry happens via the entry pack and entry form released when entries open in early 2027.
Entry fees
Entry fees will be confirmed when entries officially open. Once a formal entry is submitted and the entry fee is paid, fees are non-refundable except where Stagebound is cancelled or where required by consumer protection law.
Bursary places
We commit to making bursary places available for performers who would otherwise be priced out of entering. The bursary application process will be detailed when entries open.
Eligibility
Stagebound is open to singers and dancers under 18 at the time of the grand final, primarily based in Wigan, Greater Manchester and the surrounding North West.
Under 16: A parent or legal guardian must complete the entry form and sign all consent declarations.
16–17: Performers can complete the entry form themselves, but a parent or guardian's contact details and emergency contact information are required.
Groups and Duos
For Group and Duo entries, every member must individually meet the under-18 eligibility rules. For under-16 group members, parental consent is required for each participating performer.
Stagebound-related individuals
Immediate family members of Stagebound organisers, named judges, or senior production staff are not eligible to enter or be members of an entered group. This is to keep the competition fair and trusted.
Judging & results
All entries are reviewed by the Stagebound judging panel. Judging criteria — Skill & Technique, Performance, Material Choice, and Connection — are applied to every entry, with weightings appropriate to each category.
How decisions are made
Each panel member independently scores entries before scores are combined. In the case of ties at semi-final or final stages, the panel chair has the casting vote. Decisions on progression are final and not subject to appeal, although every entrant receives written feedback explaining their result.
Communication of results
Audition results are emailed to the registered contact within the timeframe published in the entry pack. Semi-final results will be communicated within days of the semi-final round. Grand final results are announced live on the night.
Prizes
Prize details — including the Star Prize, category trophies, and any sponsor-supplied prizes — will be confirmed in the entry pack and on this website ahead of the grand final. Prizes are awarded at the discretion of the judging panel.
Substitution and value
Cash equivalents are not available for non-cash prizes. Where a specific prize element becomes unavailable through no fault of Stagebound (e.g. a sponsor withdraws a contribution), we reserve the right to substitute an item of equal or greater value, or to remove that element from the prize package, with reasonable notice to the winner.
Collection and use
Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of the grand final unless otherwise agreed. Where the winner is under 18, prizes are awarded to the registered parent/guardian on the performer's behalf.
Disqualification
Stagebound reserves the right to disqualify any entry, performer, group or sponsor partner at any stage of the competition for any of the following:
- Providing false information on the entry form (including age, identity or consent)
- Failing to meet eligibility requirements
- Breach of these terms or the specific competition rules in the entry pack
- Inappropriate, threatening or abusive behaviour towards Stagebound staff, judges, other entrants or audience members
- Discriminatory or offensive performance material
- Plagiarism or use of material the entrant does not have permission to perform
- Breach of safeguarding or child protection guidance
Where disqualification occurs after fees are paid, entry fees are non-refundable.
Changes & cancellation
Stagebound is a planned live event. We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to:
- Audition, semi-final and grand final dates and venues
- Categories, formats and judging criteria
- Prize packages and partner arrangements
- These terms and the entry pack rules
Material changes will be communicated to all active entrants in writing as soon as possible.
Force majeure and cancellation
If Stagebound is cancelled or significantly altered due to circumstances outside our reasonable control — including but not limited to public health emergencies, government restrictions, loss of venue, natural disaster, fire, flood, or major safety concerns — entry fees paid for that cycle will either be refunded or credited towards the following cycle, at the entrant's choice. Stagebound's liability in those circumstances is limited to the entry fee paid.
Withdrawal by the entrant
If you choose to withdraw from the competition after paying your entry fee, the fee is non-refundable, but we'll always try to be reasonable in cases of illness, bereavement, or other genuine hardship — get in touch with us if this happens.
Intellectual property
Stagebound's IP
The Stagebound name, logo, branding, website design, content, and all related marketing materials are the property of Stagebound. You may not use them without our written permission, except for ordinary fair use (e.g. linking to our website, sharing our social media content with credit).
Your performance
You retain ownership of your own performance — the artistic, creative and intellectual rights to your routine, song arrangement or original material remain yours.
Photography & video
Photos and video footage captured by Stagebound (or our official photographers and videographers) at auditions, semi-finals and the grand final are owned by Stagebound. By entering the competition, you grant Stagebound a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free licence to use, edit, share and distribute that footage for the purposes outlined in our Privacy Policy.
Music and licensing
Where you perform a song or material covered by copyright, you confirm that you have appropriate permissions to perform it. Stagebound assumes no responsibility for licensing of cover material performed by entrants beyond the venue's PRS/PPL licences for the live event itself.
Liability
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for:
- Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
- Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
- Anything else that cannot be excluded under UK law
Subject to that, Stagebound's total liability to any one entrant or sponsor arising out of entry or partnership in any one competition cycle is limited to the fees paid by that entrant or sponsor for that cycle.
Stagebound is not liable for:
- Loss of personal items at audition venues, semi-finals or the grand final (please don't bring valuables you can't carry)
- Indirect or consequential losses
- Loss of reputation or opportunity
- Actions of third parties (audience members, other entrants, sponsors)
Performers and parents are responsible for ensuring performers are physically capable of the routine they're performing. Stagebound is not liable for injuries sustained during performance unless caused directly by our negligence (e.g. unsafe stage conditions).
Governing law
These terms, your use of this website, your entry into the competition, and any sponsorship agreement are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest of the terms remain in full effect.
Questions about these terms? Email hello@stagebound.co.uk.
