The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association confirmed the final major for 2026 on December 19, 2025, with the UK Pipe Band Championships returning to Northern Ireland on June 13.
This rounds out a full lineup of five majors for 2026:
- British Championships, May 30, Ingliston.
- UK Championships, June 13, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- European Championships, June 27, Perth.
- Scottish Championships, July 25, Dumbarton.
- World Championships, August 14-15, Glasgow.
The press release from the RSPBA is below.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Ulster-Scots Agency are delighted to announce that the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships will be held in Belfast on Saturday, 13 June 2026
This landmark event will bring together pipe bands from across the United Kingdom and beyond, celebrating the excellence, heritage and shared traditions of pipe band music. Hosting the Championships in Belfast reflects the city’s growing reputation as a welcoming, vibrant destination for major cultural and sporting events, and recognises its strong and longstanding connections to Ulster-Scots and pipe band traditions.
Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Chief Executive, Colin Mulhern, said: “As preparations get underway for the 2026 United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships in Belfast, anticipation is already growing. We are delighted to be preparing to welcome competitors, supporters and spectators to Grove Playing Fields on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
“The Championships are a flagship event for the global piping, drumming and drum major community and a must-see occasion for audiences. The energy, colour and sound of the United Kingdom Championships—culminating in the dramatic finale—create an experience that stays with you long after the final note.”
Ulster-Scots Agency Chief Executive, Ian Crozier said: “Pipe bands and the rich traditions associated with them are an incredibly important part of Ulster-Scots culture and we are delighted to have secured the 2026 UK Championships for Belfast and Northern Ireland. Our local pipe band scene is the strongest in the world outwith Scotland and includes many trophy-winning bands and drum majors, who will be delighted to compete in a major championship on home soil. We look forward to welcoming them, along with competitors from all over the UK and beyond for a spectacular event in Belfast next summer.
“Our partnership to deliver the championships is receiving significant financial support from Belfast City Council as part of their ongoing commitment to recognising and supporting Ulster-Scots in the city and we also look forward to working with the Council to generate significant cultural and economic benefits for the local community in North Belfast and the city as a whole”.
Grove Playing Fields (known locally as ‘The Grove’) is a 20-acre public park situated in the north of the city, within easy reach of Belfast City Centre and a short drive from the Port of Belfast and George Best Belfast City Airport. It has been recognised as one of the UK’s best open spaces, receiving prestigious green flag awards in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Further details regarding the event programme and arrangements will be announced in due course.