2026 Finals Music – REQUIRED STEPS (READ FIRST)

These requirements apply to competitors who may advance to finals at events coordinated with SportMartialArts.com, including:

• AKA Warrior Cup
• Compete Internationals
• US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Tournament
• US Capitol Classics

🚨 REQUIRED – MUSIC MUST BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE

If you plan to or think you might quality to compete in finals divisions at any of these events:

• You MUST use a cleared song from Epidemic Sound
• You MUST reserve that song through the SportMartialArts.com music system
• You CANNOT bring your own music to finals
• You CANNOT show up at the finals show and request that a song be played

❌ Music that is not reserved and cleared in advance will not be played.

STEP 1: Select & Reserve Your Music (DO THIS NOW)

This is the first and most important step.

Competitors are strongly encouraged to select and reserve music as early as possible, even before qualifying for finals, because:

• Songs are reserved first-come, first-served
• Your preferred song may not be available later
• You will be able to practice with the music, so you are not improvising during the finals
• Editing takes time
• There is no guarantee you will get the song you want if you wait
• There is no time to edit music once you are at the event

Important Notes About 2025 Songs that you previously reserve

• The deadline to renew 2025 reserved music for 2026 was December 20, 2025. Emails were sent out to all competitors who had 2025 music.
• If you did not renew your song by December 20, 2025:
  • Your song was released so anyone else can use it
  • It may already be reserved by another competitor
  • It may no longer be available for your use in 2026 (this is true even if you had an edited version)
  • Your renewal is now considered a New song

HOW TO RESERVE MUSIC FOR 2026

1️⃣ Choose a Song from Epidemic Sound

Browse here:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/

Or use curated lists:

• SMA Curated List
  https://www.epidemicsound.com/playlist/q24zr5a37xw89qcl1dkxoxoe503p4cr2/
• Aidan Guernsey Curated List (ready for editing)
  https://www.epidemicsound.com/playlist/hq087gk7efyxem2rq23faf5jb32u6b2l/

Songs in curated lists are generally available unless multiple requests occur at the same time.

2️⃣ Reserve the Song

Submit your information and pay the $25 reservation fee:
https://buy.stripe.com/14AcN4gVycAC21XcuP7kc0d

3️⃣ Send Backup Choices

Email your second and third choices to:
📧 team@sportmartialarts.com

4️⃣ Receive Confirmation

We will email you to confirm:

• Your song is reserved
• OR you are wait-listed
• OR a backup choice was used

Once confirmed:

• The song is yours for all of 2026
• No other competitor may use it at these events

OPTIONAL: Music Editing (Highly Recommended)

If you want your song edited, you must use an authorized editor:

• Aidan Guernsey – aidanguernsey132@gmail.com
• Brandon Osborn – sportkaratemusic@gmail.com

Important:

• Contact editors directly for pricing
• Editors send the final edited track to SportMartialArts.com
• Until the edited version is received, the raw track will be used

ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE RESERVED MUSIC…

What Happens If You Make Finals

If you advance to finals:

1. You will receive an email/text with check-in details prior to the finals
2. You must check in to:
   • Confirm your music choice (if you do not already have music, you will be able to purchase a song during this check-in if needed)
   • Submit your bio
   • Get your headshot photo taken
3. Once confirmed, we ensure your song is delivered to the finals DJ

⚠️ If you do not check in and confirm during the scheduled window, we cannot guarantee your music will be played.

Key Takeaways (Read This Twice)

• ✔ Music must be reserved before the event
• ✔ Only Epidemic Sound music is allowed
• ❌ You may not bring your own music
• ❌ You may not request music at finals
• ⏰ Waiting risks losing your song and editing opportunity

Questions?
📧 team@sportmartialarts.com
Responses within 2 business days