
Mid Ulster Pipe Band & Drum Major Championships 2026
6th June @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Admission & Carparking
Event Admission
- £5.00 per car
Card, Contactless & Cash accepted
General Parking
- Parking is available on site – please adhere to all instructions from event staff at the entrance gate.
Accessible Parking
- Provision for a limited amount of accessible car parking for Blue Badge holders is available.
- Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form 🔗Click Here
- When full capacity for this area has been reached, the application system will close and you will have to use general parking.
- A reminder that you will only gain entry to the accessible parking zone if you present the unique accessible parking pass together with a valid blue badge.
- This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day.
- Entry to this zone will be denied if you do not present both parking pass & blue badge
Band Coach Parking
- Band coaches must only park at the designated coach parking zone
- Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form 🔗Click Here
- Passes will be issues 48hrs before the event
Motorhomes
- Motorhomes are permitted but must park in the designated Motorhome parking zone
- Overnight parking is not available on site
Information for Bands
Band Gazebos
- Gazebos must only be erected within the designated area (on the hill)
- Gazebos must not be erected on the football pitches where the arenas are located
- You may only erect a band gazebo at this event if you have applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit
- If you still need to apply, please see 🔗Gazebo Application Form
- If you have already applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit for this event, and your band is entered, a gazebo parking pass will be emailed out to you 48hrs before the event
- You must provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying for your permit online
- If event organisers request gazebos to be taken down during the event for safety reasons, this must be complied with
Practice/Tuning
- When your band is practising/tuning, you must be aware of your proximity to any band and/or drum major contest arenas and must ensure that you do not get too close as to cause interference with them
- Final Tuning will be clearly identifiable
- Bands should only sound within the final tuning area to ensure there is no interference with any contest arenas for bands or Drum Majors
- Bands should follow any requests from RSPBA Directors, Branch Stewards or Section Representatives regarding this and this must complied with
Finale
- The finale will be a massed band, advancing playing “The Battle’s O’er”
- Bands should start preparing at the conclusion of Grade 1 competition and all bands and Drum Majors must be in place no later than 16:00hrs to ensure that the Massed Band Finale commences promptly.
- Nominated lead bands will be informed by email in advance
General Information
Programmes
- Will be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £3.00. Cash, card and contactless is accepted.
Food/Drink
- There will be a selection of food and drink vendors on the day. Please note, some may only take cash.
Barbeques
- Fixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event.
Toilet Facilities
- Toilets and Portaloos will be available at the event and will be detailed on the map within the programme.
- Please show respect to users of Accessible facilities as not all disabilities are visible.
First Aid
- Accredited First Aid will be available at the contest area and will be detailed on the map within the programme.
Lost Persons
- Please report any lost persons immediately to any Branch/Section officials on duty.
Drones
- Drones are not permitted to be flown above any crowd or public event. This restriction applies to all drones, regardless of size and weight. This is to ensure public safety and to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries.
Litter
- Please dispose of all litter in the bins provided around the contest area and band practice/tuning area. Bands are responsible for clearing any practice space they occupy at the end of the event.
Dogs
- Assistance dogs are welcome at this event.
- Well-behaved dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a short lead and must be able to cope with large crowds and loud noises.
- Please ensure any dogs barking do not interfere with performances.
- Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.
Safeguarding
- Safeguarding Information can be found here
Unacceptable Behaviour
- This event is made possible with the help of our volunteers who are on duty to help and assist you – please demonstrate respect to them always.
- There is a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and event officials.
Recording & Photographs
- Video recordings, audio recordings or photographs are not permitted without written permission from The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch prior to the commencement of the Championships.
Tourist Information
- For things to see and do around the area and the wider Mid Ulster area, please see 🔗 Visit Mid Ulster
Syllabus
Syllabus is available here.
This event is organised by the Mid Ulster Section. If you have any queries, please e-mail midulster@rspbani.org.
Band Draw
Band Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.
Drum Major Draw
Drum Major Dress time is 10:00
Drum Major Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.
Playing Requirements
| Grade 1 | ‘Big’ MSR (Minimum 4-parted tunes) |
| Grade 2 | Medley (4 to 6 mins) |
| Grades 3B & 3A | MSR |
| Grade 4A | 1 x 4 parted Marches or 2 x 2 parted Marches, 1 x 4 Parted Strathspey or 2 x 2 parted Strathspeys and 1 x 4 Parted Reel or 2 x 2 Parted Reels from the RSPBA list of prescribed tunes |
| Grade 4B | 4 x 2 parted Marches from the RSPBA list of prescribed tunes OR 2½ – 4½ mins in Quick March (any time signature) |
Results
Results will be published after the finale on the main 2026 results page.

