Tickets are now on sale for the World Pipe Band Championships 2023. Dates are 18 /19 August at Glasgow Green, writes Ellen Drummond of promoters Glasgow Life.
Demand for tickets for the Grade 1 Seating Arena is expected to exceed capacity. Spectators wishing seats in this grandstand facility (which for the first time is covered, offering shade from the sun and shelter in the event of poor weather, as well as excellent vantage points to view the competition) are therefore encouraged to book as early as possible.
Tickets are available from: https://www.theworlds.co.uk from 10am today.
Always a much-anticipated highlight of Scotland’s summer events programme, the ‘Worlds’ attract thousands of pipers and drummers from all over the world to compete for the ultimate prize in pipe band competition.
This will be the 75th anniversary of Glasgow hosting the renowned event. Its first was in 1948, and the city has staged the Worlds every year since 1986.
Last year’s Championships saw 40,000 spectators descend on Glasgow Green to watch and hear 146 bands from Scotland and as far afield as the USA, Canada, and Australia battling to be crowned the winners. The title of 2022 World Champions went to Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band (pictured above), with Inveraray and District finishing runners-up.
The Worlds are organised on behalf of the RSPBA by Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in Glasgow and are supported by funding from EventScotland.
Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Chief Executive, Colin Mulhern, said: ‘The huge attendance last year’s spectacular event attracted, and the numbers of the bands competing, is testimony to how much these iconic championships mean to the international piping community and to fans of traditional Scottish music.
‘I’ve no doubt that this year’s special 75th anniversary of the Worlds coming to Glasgow will be an unforgettable event. We’re expecting a tremendous turn-out, so I would urge everyone planning to attend not to delay in booking so they ensure they secure their tickets in advance.’
Bailie Annette Christie, Chairwoman of Glasgow Life, said: ‘Glasgow, as a UNESCO City of Music, has a great international reputation as a superb destination for lovers of all types of music. At the Worlds the city will resound with the very best in pipes and drums talent.’
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: ‘The World Pipe Band Championships is always a spectacular highlight that EventScotland is delighted to support as part of our International Programme. ‘The Championships is part of Scotland’s diverse portfolio of wonderful cultural and sporting events that take place right across the country, reaffirming Scotland’s position as the perfect stage for events.’
Other band news from the RSPBA:
- Their grading committee has announced the following changes: Grade NJB to 4B – Dumbarton & District; Grade 1 – Manawatu Scottish – New Zealand.
- Reminder to Novice B bands: The static start will apply at all contests where there is a separate Novice Juvenile B competition.
- Download the video which demonstrates this revised format.
- Bands enter the arena and progress to the circle without stopping at the start line. At a minor competition the P/M will take the command from the piping or ensemble judge; at majors from the ensemble judge.
