Official competition framework

The Royal Decree

Effective for the season beginning September 1, 2026

Eligibility and entry

Entrants must be 21 or older and present valid identification when requested. Each performer—including every member of a duet or trio—must pay the applicable individual entry rate or present one qualifying venue ticket issued after a two-item venue purchase. A performer who submits the official website preregistration form by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the Monday immediately preceding the selected Tuesday event reserves the $5-per-performer Website Royal Rate. A website submission received after that cutoff automatically moves to the following Tuesday and reserves the website rate for that later event. Social-media and walk-up registrations are $10 per performer. Preregistration does not activate an entry; an entry is active only after timely website registration is confirmed when applicable, onsite check-in by 10:00 PM, social-follow confirmation, payment or venue-ticket verification, and eligibility confirmation.

Performance requirements

Entries must use an approved traditional karaoke track available through KaraFun. Original music, live instruments, and performance props are not permitted. Explicit lyrics are allowed, subject to venue direction. Once an entrant claims a song, that song is unavailable to other contestants for that qualifying night. Equipment failure may result in a host-approved restart.

Qualifying rounds

Karaoke begins at 9:00 PM. Qualifying performances must be completed by 11:30 PM. The Royal Commissioner selects the night's standout finalists, and crowd response together with the official applause meter guides the selection of two Royal Invitation recipients at midnight. When a decision is too close, selected performers may be summoned to a one-minute host-selected Royal Sing-Off. The Royal Commissioner's ruling is final.

Monthly Championship

Two qualifiers advance from each of three standard qualifying nights, producing six monthly finalists. The field narrows from six to four and then two. The final two participate in a Royal Song Draw: the performer receiving the strongest prior crowd response chooses whether to draw first or second and may keep or pass the drawn song. Third and fourth place compete in a host-directed, one-minute-each battle using the same selected song.

Prizes and reentry

The monthly champion receives $250, a crown, sash, certificate, and annual-tournament eligibility. The runner-up receives a $50 bar tab, a royal pin, and one complimentary entry into the next qualifying circuit. Third place receives a $25 bar tab and appetizer. Prizes are shared by group acts. A monthly champion cannot win another monthly crown during the same season; other eligible performers may reenter.

August and annual finale

August uses two accelerated qualifiers, with three performers advancing from each night. Six compete for the August crown on the third Tuesday. The Annual Tournament of Champions occurs on the fourth Tuesday, and the new season begins immediately afterward.

Conduct, safety, and discretion

Entrants must follow venue rules, treat staff and participants respectfully, and avoid dangerous, threatening, discriminatory, or disruptive conduct. KQK or the venue may refuse or end participation for misconduct, intoxication that creates a safety concern, fraud, rule evasion, or failure to follow reasonable show direction. The host may make reasonable format adjustments for safety, timing, attendance, technical conditions, or unforeseen circumstances.

Media and brand notice

Participation may occur in a photographed or recorded live-event environment. The separate media notice presented during entry governs promotional use. The Kings & Queens of Karaoke℠ name, presentation materials, artwork, and show package are proprietary to Scorpion's Lair Productions. KaraFun is a third-party karaoke platform and is not a sponsor or producer of KQK.

Questions: [email protected]