Your chance to become Sunderland's Pub Idol and win £1,000 plus studio recording time

Proper Pub Idol 2026 begins from Monday, September 7, and aims to find the nation’s best local singers.

Weekly heats will see contestants performing in front of a pub audience with each heat winner receiving a bottle of Prosecco.

The competition will then build towards the pub final in the week starting Monday, October 12, where the winner will take home a £50 bar tab.

Pub champions will progress to the regional final during the week beginning Monday, October 26, with a £100 bar tab on offer.

The finalists will then have the chance to win £1,000 plus a studio recording day at the national final on Sunday, November 22, in Middlesbrough.

Among the venues taking part are The Beehive, in Sunderland city centre, The Bird, in Washington, and the Crown Colliery, in Boldon Colliery.

All three are part of Proper Pubs, run by Admiral Taverns.