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Monday, 8 September, 2025
Be part of the UK’s biggest youth brass band celebration.
Band registration is now open for the 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain (Youth Champs), the UK’s flagship event for young brass musicians.
Taking place on Saturday 28 March 2026 at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, the day is open to youth bands of all levels, from first-time performers to leading youth ensembles. With over 1,200 young players taking part annually, Youth Champs continues to shape the future of brass banding – offering bands the chance to perform, connect, and be inspired.
Four Sections. One big day.
Youth Champs offers four Section options to suit bands at every stage of their journey:
- Showcase Section – celebrating participation, creativity, and development
- Performance Section – supportive, low-pressure environment for bands new to contesting
- Showcase Section – aimed at ambitious ensembles aspiring to Championship level in future years
- Championship Section – spotlighting the very best in youth banding
The highest placed English band from the Championship Section will represent England at the 2027 European Brass Band Championships.
Set test-piece
The Championship Section’s set test-piece for 2026 is Neverland, a captivating work by one of the most distinctive and exciting voices in contemporary brass band composition: Christopher Bond. Commissioned and premiered by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in 2013, Neverland perfectly combines musical storytelling with the technical and expressive demands ideal for youth bands.
Bond commented: “I’m absolutely delighted that Neverland will be performed at the 2026 Youth Champs. The piece was written with young musicians in mind, and it’s always been about capturing imagination, energy, and storytelling through music — qualities that youth bands bring in abundance. It’s a real privilege to see it used to challenge and inspire the next generation of brass players on such a brilliant platform.”
Entry can cost you nothing
Band entry fee is £100, or £50 for BBE Member bands. Through BBE’s Band Ticket Boost scheme, member bands can earn back their entry fee entirely by distributing audience tickets to their supporter network.
Key information
- Registration opens: Monday 8 September 2025
- Registration closes: Monday 1 December 2025, 4pm
Prospective participant bands can now download the Pre-Entry Pack, which gives an overview of how Youth Champs works and what to expect on the day. The pack and registration link can be found on BBE’s Youth Champs information page.
Adjudicator applications for the contest remain open until 3 October.
For further questions, please contact the Youth Champs team at youthchamps@bbe.org.uk.