Entry Information

The International Billy Awards presented by Astor Club is a new standard in competition bringing the industry together in New York City to celebrate excellence, recognize craft, and honor the cultivators pushing boundaries.

The competition features four terpene-driven categories: Candy, Fruit, Gas, and Haze—each representing a distinct aromatic profile. The best flower in each category gets recognized at The Billy Awards in New York City on April 19th, 2026.

Registration is open now through March 15th, 2026.

The Categories

We have four categories based on terpene profiles. Please note that categorization is determined by the dominant terpene expression of the entered cultivar.

  • Candy – sweet, indulgent profiles with confectionary depth and dessert-like qualities (Zkittlez, Gelato, Sherb, Permanent Marker, Runtz, etc.)
  • Fruit – vibrant, juicy profiles spanning the full fruit spectrum from citrus and tropical to stone fruit and berry (Lemon Tree, Tropicana Cookies, Purple Punch, Papaya, etc.)
  • Gas – fuel-forward, pungent, funky profiles with bold, dank undertones (OG Kush, Sour Diesel, Chemdawg, GG, GMO, Cookies, etc.)
  • Haze – complex, spicy, cerebral profiles with earthy, floral, and incense-like qualities (NL5 x Haze, Original Haze, Silver Haze, Piff, New Carpet Haze, Nigerian, etc.)

Submit your flower where it actually belongs. Know your profile.

Not sure which category fits your strain?
Go with the dominant aromatic profile. Think about the primary terpenes and what the flower actually delivers. Submit it where it makes sense. Still unsure? Contact us and we'll help you place it.


Entry Details

Cost: $500 per category
Submission: 2oz per entry

You can enter multiple categories. Each one needs its own registration, fee, and 2oz submission.

Can I enter the same strain in multiple categories?
If it legitimately fits multiple profiles, sure. Just register and submit separately for each.


What You Get

Your $500 entry includes:

  • 2 tickets to The International Billy Awards show in NYC on April 19th, 2026 with access to a contestants-only section

  • Recognition in the official Billy Awards booklet

  • Access to networking and events in NYC during 420 Week leading up to the show

  • Social media shoutouts

  • Post-event winner spotlight


Key Dates

Registration: Open now through March 15th, 2026
Submissions due: April 1st, 2026 (no late entries)


Submission Info

What to send: 2oz per category in sealed, properly labeled containers with strain info. Full guidelines sent after you register.

Where to send it: Submissions must arrive in New York City by April 1st. Detailed instructions provided when you register.

What happens to it: We store everything climate-controlled for judging. Submitted product becomes Billy Awards property and doesn't get returned.


Judging

Blind evaluation by industry experts. Entries are coded—judges don't know who they're evaluating. Everyone gets the full treatment, no preliminary rounds.


Winners

Announced live at the ceremony on April 19th, 2026 in New York City.

Each category winner gets a Billy Awards Championship ring (retail value over $5,000).