Your Shot DJ academy returns to the US for 2026, adding Denver and Miami

Your Shot, a no-experience-necessary DJ academy and competition, is returning to the US for a second season, adding Denver and Miami alongside returning Los Angeles and New York editions.

Founded in Australia in 2010, Your Shot has spent 16 years turning beginners into working DJs, with alumni including Tigerlily, Sippy and Go Freek. Its American debut last fall drew more than 500 first-time DJs, and showcase weekends in Los Angeles and New York pulled over 10,000 combined attendees. The 2025 class was topped by Jelly Bean and Punky Butter, who are now set to open at CRSSD Festival and Elements Music & Arts Festival off the back of their wins.

Selected participants spend six weeks at The Academy learning from industry professionals, then perform at showcase weekends judged by industry professionals and talent scouts. Winners walk away with an opening slot at a major festival, including F1 Las Vegas and Insomniac's EDSea this year. AlphaTheta, the company behind Pioneer DJ, is supplying gear across all four cities, with Sony joining as a new partner for speakers and headphones.

More than 8,300 people had pre-registered nationally before the new season even began. In-person selection events run August 22 in Denver, August 29 in Miami, September 12 in Los Angeles and September 19 in Brooklyn.

The program's advisory board includes producer and FEMME HOUSE co-founder LP Giobbi, Vibee president Harvey Cohen, and The Circuit Group, the management company behind Chris Lake, FISHER and deadmau5. "I'm proud to support the incredible work Your Shot is doing," Giobbi said, "to help the next generation of DJs build confidence, develop their craft, and take that first step."