The Barber Games
The Barber Games is where elite talent meets team strategy in one of the most thrilling competitions of the Hair Education Beauty Summit. We invite some of the most well-known and respected barbers in the industry to assemble powerhouse teams and go head-to-head in a high-energy battle of skills, creativity, and precision.
Barbers from across the country will compete in a high-energy, multi-category showdown to prove their versatility, speed, and precision. The Barber Games features both individual and team events with a points system that determines the ultimate champion team. Each team will nominate a team member to compete in the individual competitions. The whole team will work together on the final competition (4X1 relay).
Prizes: Winner takes all $10,000
Event Details
- Date: Monday, May 3rd, 2027
- Location: Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, NJ
Submission Entry Fee For Teams of (4 - 5)
$100.00
Category 1: First Barber
Fastest Freestyle Design
- Time Limit: 15 miNUTES
- Format: Individuals
- FOCUS: Speed creativity & sharp execution
Key Rules:
- Length on the sides no shorter than 1/8th of an inch
- All line work must be done on-site and must cover at least half of the head
- No reference material allowed
- Color Allowed
- Shape up and style may be pre-done
Judging Criteria:
- Design line work
- Symmetry of design
- Difficulty and originality
- Cleanliness
- Overall look
Category 2: Second Barber
Fastest Drop Skin Fade
- Time Limit: 30 Minutes
- Format: Individual
- Focus: fade must be below the occipital bone
Key Rules:
- Skin fade must be beneath the temple peak point, leaving room for c-cup and drop below the occipital bone
- Tapers are not considered drop fades
- Top must be cut and styled (5 point penalty if not cut)
- Edge up must include c-cup
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Fade and blending
- Line up and detail work
- Styling Technique
- Cutting Technique
- Cleanliness
- Overall Design
Category 3: Third Barber
Best Authentic Viral Cut
- Time Limit: 45 minutes
- Format: Individuals
- focus: Replicate one of two viral cuts popularized by Jaylen Rose:
- Curly top with a skin taper
- Low cut with waves and a half-moon part
Key Rules:
- Minimum length must be 1/4 inch on the sides
- No pre-cut tapers, pre fades. Hair must be grown out and blended
- Reference Accuracy: Final cut must closely replicate the chosen reference photo.
- No pre-enhancements before start time
Judging Criteria:
- Fade & Blending
- Line Up & Detail Work
- Overall finish and visual impact
- Styling Technique
- Cleanliness
- Execution Accuary
- Overall Design
Category 4: 4th Barber & braider
Braids & Fades
- Time Limit: 1 Hour
-
Format: Tag Team (2 people – one for braids, one for fade)
focus: must complete a full fade and cornrow braids
Key Rules:
- Skin fade must go around the entire head
- No pre sectioning
- No pre- enhancements
- Hair may be pre blowdried
- Color and small ornaments allowed
- May be a team for two, one barber and one braider or it can be solo where the barber and the braider is one person.
Judging Criteria:
- Braiding Technique
- Parting and Sectioning
- Fade & Blending
- Line up & Detail Work
- Symmetry
- Cleanliness
- Overall Design
Category 5: Team of 4 Barbers
4x1 Fading Relay
- Time Limit: 45 Minutes
- Format: Team Event
- Challenge: Each qualifying team must complete the haircut in sequence
RELAY STRUCTURE:
Each team must complete the haircut in sequence. Each barber is tagged in to perform their portion of the haircut.
- 1st Barber: Cutting down hair, debulk, and cut down the top
- 2nd Barber: Fading, position the blend into the parietal ridge
- 3rd Barber: Line-up and design edge up and enhancements.
- 4th Barber: Polish and finalize all work
- Model hair must be NOT be pre cut blended or tapered and a minimum of 1/4th inch on the sides and 1/2 inch on the top.
- All barbers must remain behind the designated stage marker until officially tagged in.
- Barbers must be physically tagged in before crossing the stage marker.
- Only one barber may touch the model at a time
- Once tagged out the barber may not re-enter unless instructed by the referee
- The haircut must be perform in the proper order of sequence (1 point penalty per violation)
- Only the last barber is allowed to revise the entire scope of work.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Fade & Blending
- Line Up & Details
- Cutting Technique
- Styling Technique
- Cleanliness
- Team Execution
- Overall Design
Points System
| Standard Events (Categories 1–4) | 4x1 Fading Relay (Category 5) |
|---|---|
| 1st Place: 5 points | 1st Place: 15 points |
| 2nd Place: 3 points | 2nd Place: 10 points |
| 3rd Place: 1 point | 3rd Place: 5 points |
Competition
How to Enter the Competition
01
Assemble
Assemble your team (members do not need to be from the same state)
02
Sign Up Via HEBS
Sign up below via the HEBS website or onsite at the HEBS Registration Desk
03
Submit Fee
Submit the $100 team entry fee upon registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Showcase Your Skills. Represent Your Craft. Win Big.
Join the Barber Olympics and prove your team’s dominance in the industry. Whether you’re bringing innovation to freestyle designs or crushing the competition in the relay, this is your chance to shine on the biggest stage.