The recent meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors confirmed the following Major Championships for 2026. It looks like, as with 2025, there will only be four:
The 2026 Championship venues and dates are:
• British – 30th May, Ingliston
• European – 27th June, Perth
• Scottish – 25th July, Dumbarton
• Worlds – 14th/15th August, Glasgow Green
Next year’s playing requirement details are being withheld until final confirmation of the number of Majors but an announcement will be made at the end of November.
Chief Executive Office Colin Mulhern told the meeting inroads had been made in regard to the 2027 Majors but that negotiations were at an early stage.
Other points Mr Mulhern raised in his report: The 2025 Championships were well received and several directors thought the revised march past, the ‘march in’, improved the Championship day. That said, bands (presumably after learning the results in their grade) left the field before the end of the prize giving.
Various directors pointed out the following mainly regarding the World Championships:
- The sound system / speakers in the Worlds arenas were not adequate and better PA is needed.
- Arena 8 was too close to Arena 7 and pushed into a corner.
- There were problems with Arena 4 final tuning being in the food court.
- An additional arena may be needed on the Friday for the Juvenile events.
- Comfort break for adjudicators / officials, where the event has over 12 bands?
- Some arenas at the Worlds ran late with no explanation provided.
- Stewards need to work with Directors and wait for a signal before bringing bands forward.
- Arenas need unobstructed entries and exits. Arena 5 at the Worlds had to work around a tree.
- Start line and circle should not be too close to the entry point, otherwise drumming judge and drummers can end up mingling with the audience. Entry area should accommodate a full band.
- Listeners thought the G1 Circle was too far away from the stands.
