What is The National Massage Championship (The NMC)?

The NMC is the UK’s largest professional massage competition, hosted at the Professional Beauty London Autumn Show at ExCeL London. 2025 marks our 8th year of bringing together talented therapists from the UK and around the world.

📍 ExCeL London – part of Professional Beauty London (Autumn Show)

📅 4-5 October 2026

All qualified massage therapists (UK & international) are welcome to enter. We also welcome international competitors across all categories.

Entries are open via our website: Enter the NMC 2026

There are 8 competition categories, including:

Sunday:

  • Freestyle Western
  • Freestyle Eastern
  • Spa/Wellness
  • Facial Massage
  • Chair Massage
  • Massage with Tools 

Monday:

  • Swedish/Deep Tissue
  • Advanced/Clinical Massage

Yes – many therapists enter multiple categories (time schedule permitting).

If you have already entered and want to add additional category – its now available in Registration link

Yes, you can be barefoot, many therapists choose to do treatments barefoot (we do have wonderful purple carpets for The NMC floor) 

Many therapists also prefer to have own headphones and listen to own music which allows to focus better on a busy show floor

Yes – The NMC warmly welcomes competitors from around the world.

All international participants are welcome to compete in every category under the same rules as UK competitors.

Please note: the UK Grand Final – “Judges Excellence Award” is reserved exclusively for UK resident therapists.

International competitors should ensure they have:

  • Valid visa/entry to the UK

  • Proof of professional qualification or accreditation in massage therapy (and valid therapist insurance as per your country regulations if available)

We dont provide translators, participants are welcome to bring own translators if needed (free entry) 

We have wonderful team of floor co-ordinators at the show who will help with any questions and make sure your competition journey is a great experience. 

Each round is 1hr, apart from chair massage which is 45min 

This depends on the number of participants. Some categories may have extra rounds if entries are high (e.g., Facial Massage in 2024/2025 was fully booked).

Participants are judged by a panel of UK & International experts on technique, flow, professionalism, client care, innovation, and overall performance. Detailed judges scoring sheets available in Rules & Regulations

Yes – all massage tables are kindly provided by Massage Warehouse.

At the moment Massage Matts are not available – if you require one, please email us

Yes – for categories allowing tools (Freestyle, Massage with Tools, Spa/Wellness), you should bring your own equipment (e.g., stones, bamboo sticks, bowls, cups, etc.).

Please bring your own towels, sheets, products you are working with. 

For Facial Massage category – we will provide massage stool and trolley to display products.

To be Confirmed, email organisers

High-velocity manipulations (spinal cracking/adjustments) are not permitted. Safe mobilisations, MFR, stretching, and joint techniques are allowed in relevant categories.

Yes – every participant receives a printed Certificate of Participation, which can be used to promote your professional brand.

Yes – The NMC has media partners covering the event. Content will be shared across our website, press, and social media.

If you do not wish to appear in photos, please inform floor co-ordinator at the check-in

Yes – all participants must hold valid professional liability/malpractice insurance that covers them to practice in the UK. 

International Entries – provide relevant insurance under your country regulations if available. 

Registration opens 8AM both days, if your category is in the morning (Freestyle, SPA/Wellness on Sunday) must arrive for 8am for round allocation which is on first come basis.

If your category is in the afternoon, you can arrive 1hr before your start time (Chair, Facial, Massage with tools)

Professional Beauty offers special discounted hotel rates near ExCeL London. 👉 Hotel link

Yes – spectators can attend the Professional Beauty Show and visit The NMC competition area. Tickets to Professional Beauty are required (they are FREE) https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/professional-beauty-autumn

The Grand Final takes place on Monday, where the 1st place winners of each category compete once more for the prestigious Judges’ Excellence Awards — the ultimate title at The National Massage Championship.

  • Who can enter?

    The Grand Final is open only to UK resident therapists, as The NMC is a national competition.

  • What if an international therapist wins a category?

    International participants are welcome to compete in all categories. However, if an international entry wins 1st place, the highest-placed UK resident (e.g., 2nd place) in that category will be invited to represent the category in the Grand Final.

  • Why this rule?

    This ensures that the Judges’ Excellence Awards remain a truly UK national title, while still celebrating and welcoming international talent in all other aspects of the competition.

We have DEMO on Health & Wellness stage for Sunday & Monday with many talks and workshops. Monday 12pm Judges & Champion Demo will take place on The NMC floor.

For Participants: If you compete on Sunday, Registration will open from 8AM. With First round at 9AM, please arrive early! Rounds are allocated on first come basis, if you arrive late- we can’t guarantee availability for later rounds. If your round dont start till afternoon, there is no need to arrive for 8AM (for example: chair massage and Facial category is at 2pm, you should arrive at 12/12.30pm to allow enough time for registry and setup.

Yes, we have onsite changing room for all participants/models and belongings. Please note, we do NOT take any responsibility for items left. Whilst changing room is on the showfloor with access only to participants/models please make sure you look after your belongings. 

All participants are required to provide own models for the treatment you are going to provide, as it falls under your insurance as therapist when you provide treatment. 

In case your model can’t make it, please inform floor co-ordinator, we do have standby list for anyone wishing to be a model and will try our best to suggest any alternatives (or other participants may want to offer)

📧 Email us at: nationalmassagechampionship@gmail.com

🌍 Website: www.nationalmassagechampionship.com