Location
Youth Champs 2026 – King Edward’s School, Birmingham | Saturday 28 March 2026
The 2026 event will take place at King Edward's School in Birmingham (Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2UA) on Saturday 28 March. Participation is open to youth bands of all levels in both competitive and non-competitive sections.
Audience tickets can be bought on the day via the Box Office. The Box Office will be open from 8 am, with the first band performing at 9.30 am. Please see the Ticket information page for full details.
What's it all about
Youth Champs is the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. It is open to all youth bands across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, offering bands a chance to perform on a national platform in either a competitive or non-competitive capacity. The event is designed to celebrate, unite and promote youth music-making in brass bands at all levels. The event takes place annually, touring different locations across England, and is run by Brass Bands England.
Contest Sections
In 2026, bands will perform in four different ‘Sections’: Showcase, Peformance, Challenge and Championship.
More info to come soon!
Rules and information packs
The Pre-Entry Information Pack and Competitors Pack, which includes the aims and rules, are both available to download from the Band Information page.
Please note that there has been a rule change (as of 21 November) to apply to the 2025 and 2026 Youth Champs contests. You can read the full details here.
Contest Entry
Entry to the contest will be opening soon for registration.
Visit the Youth Champs band information page for the latest information and instructions.
Tickets
Tickets are available on the day of the event.
On the day ticket prices
Adults: £16
Children under 18: £8
Children under 5: free
Advance tickets will be collected from the Box Office under the name registered at the point of order.
Please see the Ticket information page for full details.
Questions?
If you are an audience member please visit the Event Information page for details on travel, parking, catering, and ticket collection.
If you are a band registered to take part please visit the Band Information page which is updated regularly with resources and information.
For any further information regarding the championships, please contact the contest controller at: youthchamps@bbe.org.uk
To stay up-to-date with Youth Champs and other BBE news you can register for the Brass Bands England newsletter.