---
title: "2026 WWA Welding Comp | $10K + Scholarships!"
url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/events/2026-wwa-welding-competition"
---

![](/_astro/weld-comp-arch.DsOJ8uGb_Z2gjski.jpg)

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Annual event · Gillette, WY

# 2026 Western Welding Academy Welding Competition

Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered, and showed up.

[Watch the recap](#recap)[Scholarships](/scholarships)

2026 welding competition

## One for the books

**Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered, and showed up.**

The 2026 Western Welding Academy Welding Competition was a one-day event held at our campus in Gillette, Wyoming — and it was one for the books.

The 2026 Western Welding Academy Welding Competition brought welders from across the country to Gillette, Wyoming to test their skills in a live competition setting. Competitors were judged on weld quality, technique, and time under AWS testing standards. The event drew participants from multiple states and showcased the kind of hands-on talent that pipeline and industrial employers are actively hiring for. Western Welding Academy hosts this competition each year to celebrate the craft, connect students and graduates with the welding community, and prove what real booth time training produces on test day.

![Western Welding Academy students walking out to the competition](/_astro/students-walking.BpwmlGS2_QVjLr.jpg)

Prizes

## What was on the line?

Every year, we put up real prizes for real welders. Here’s what competitors had the chance to win at the 2026 competition:

### High School Division

1.  11st PrizeScholarship
2.  22nd Prize$15,995 in Scholarship
3.  33rd Prize$9,995 in Scholarship

### Open Division

1.  11st Prize$10,000 Cash
2.  22nd Prize$5,000 Cash
3.  33rd Prize$1,000 Cash

Every high school student who competed received a $1,000 Scholarship.

Recap

## See how it went down

Watch the highlights from the 2026 Western Welding Academy Welding Competition. Sparks flew, skills were tested, and the next generation of welders made their mark.

[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OfQuLSFp8o4/maxresdefault.jpg)Recap video2026 WWA Welding Competition recap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfQuLSFp8o4)

Competition day

## Photos from Gillette

-   ![WWA welding competition crowd](/_astro/weld-comp-banner.DxnFgAYY_Z2h31Q7.jpg)WWA welding competition crowdOpen larger photo: WWA welding competition crowd
-   ![Western Welding Academy students walking out to the competition](/_astro/students-walking.BpwmlGS2_Z404vG.jpg)Western Welding Academy students walking out to the competitionOpen larger photo: Western Welding Academy students walking out to the competition
-   ![Welder kneeling at a pipe joint during the WWA welding competition](/_astro/welder-kneeling-pipe.BjjyW2Le_Z2kk6uH.jpg)Welder kneeling at a pipe joint during the WWA welding competitionOpen larger photo: Welder kneeling at a pipe joint during the WWA welding competition
-   ![Students cheering at a Western Welding Academy event](/_astro/students-cheering.BzLigWr8_Z1EQ5d9.jpg)Students cheering at a Western Welding Academy eventOpen larger photo: Students cheering at a Western Welding Academy event
-   ![The WWA welding competition arch](/_astro/weld-comp-arch.DsOJ8uGb_ZxPEAd.jpg)The WWA welding competition archOpen larger photo: The WWA welding competition arch

Sponsors

## Thank you to our sponsors!

![2026 WWA welding competition sponsors](/_astro/competition-sponsors-2026.DGPmfErI_Z1oxkjw.png)

## Compete. Train. Get certified.

Every high school competitor walks away with a scholarship. Train at WWA and make it your trade.

[Apply now](/apply) [Scholarships](/scholarships)[(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313)