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Bagpipers assemble for World Pipe Band Championships this weekend
Bagpipers assemble for World Pipe Band Championships this weekend
More than 8,000 of the world’s best pipers and drummers will assemble on Glasgow Green this weekend for the World Pipe Band Championships. Glasgow is once again hosting the major international event - the largest of its kind in the world. Delivered for The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), and taking place during the annual Piping Live! Festival, ‘the Worlds’ is always a much-anticipated highlight of the global piping scene.
Hugely popular with competitors, supporters and spectators alike, it attracts thousands of visitors to Glasgow annually to experience the events stirring sights, sounds and memorable atmosphere. Attendance at last year’s premier pipes and drums showcase reached around 35,000 – with huge viewing figures online too – watching an impressive line-up of 207 bands competing. Fifty-three were from countries as far afield as Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe and Scotland entered 122 bands - the biggest contingent. The current title is held by Inverary & District Pipe Band from Scotland. The band from Argyll and Bute retained the top title in 2025, having also won the major international contest last year. Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band were runners-up ahead of Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band in third place. Watch the world’s best pipe bands complete for glory in this popular family event immersed in Scottish culture. Two action-packed days of competition will run from tomorrow (Friday, August 14) when the Grade One Day One Performances and Juvenile Competition takes place, into Saturday, August 15 for the Championships. To win, Grade One bands must perform in two events, a March, Strathspey and Reel event (known as an “MSR”) consisting of three pre-arranged tunes - one March, one Strathspey, and one Reel, followed by a Medley event, which consists of a short selection of music chosen and arranged by the band. The band must prepare two MSR sets and two Medley sets, and then play one. This is drawn on the line. The World Pipe Band Championships were first hosted by Glasgow in 1948 and has been staged in the city every year since since 1986, although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering were recognised as World Champions as far back as 1906. The most successful pipe bands in this competition remain the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band winning 20 times between 1920 and 1991, and the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band winning 16 times. Other multiple World Champions include the Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band (eight times), the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band (eight times) and the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band (eight times). This year’s World Pipe Band Championships will see 211 bands competing from 14 countries: Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and France. Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, and Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is proud to host the world’s biggest week of piping each August. With both Piping Live! and The World Pipe Band Championships taking place here, there is no better place on earth to enjoy the sights, sounds and spectacle of world-class piping. “These landmark events are highlights of Glasgow’s cultural calendar, attracting thousands of participants and spectators from across the globe, while showcasing the city on an international stage and supporting our visitor economy. “Renowned as the worldwide home of piping, it’s an honour for Glasgow to host this much-loved festival and hugely prestigious championships. We cannot wait to welcome audiences from across Scotland and around the world to celebrate our culture, heritage, and music this summer.” Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, added: “Piping Live! is an unmissable week in Scotland’s events calendar. It is fantastic to be supporting the festival once again as it continues to go from strength to strength, bringing together performers and visitors from across the country and the globe, and demonstrating why Scotland is a world-leading tourism and events destination. “This year has another exciting line up, culminating in the must-see World Pipe Band Championships. We look forward to hearing the city come alive in August, connecting communities and our visitors with Scotland’s musical heritage. Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 0101 353 8000 or via box_office_enquiries@
More than 8,000 of the world’s best pipers and drummers will assemble on Glasgow Green this weekend for the World Pipe Band Championships.
Glasgow is once again hosting the major international event - the largest of its kind in the world.
Delivered for The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), and taking place during the annual Piping Live! Festival, ‘the Worlds’ is always a much-anticipated highlight of the global piping scene.
Hugely popular with competitors, supporters and spectators alike, it attracts thousands of visitors to Glasgow annually to experience the events stirring sights, sounds and memorable atmosphere.
Attendance at last year’s premier pipes and drums showcase reached around 35,000 – with huge viewing figures online too – watching an impressive line-up of 207 bands competing. Fifty-three were from countries as far afield as Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe and Scotland entered 122 bands - the biggest contingent.
The current title is held by Inverary & District Pipe Band from Scotland. The band from Argyll and Bute retained the top title in 2025, having also won the major international contest last year. Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band were runners-up ahead of Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band in third place.
Watch the world’s best pipe bands complete for glory in this popular family event immersed in Scottish culture.
Two action-packed days of competition will run from tomorrow (Friday, August 14) when the Grade One Day One Performances and Juvenile Competition takes place, into Saturday, August 15 for the Championships.
To win, Grade One bands must perform in two events, a March, Strathspey and Reel event (known as an “MSR”) consisting of three pre-arranged tunes - one March, one Strathspey, and one Reel, followed by a Medley event, which consists of a short selection of music chosen and arranged by the band.
The band must prepare two MSR sets and two Medley sets, and then play one. This is drawn on the line.
The World Pipe Band Championships were first hosted by Glasgow in 1948 and has been staged in the city every year since since 1986, although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering were recognised as World Champions as far back as 1906.
The most successful pipe bands in this competition remain the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band winning 20 times between 1920 and 1991, and the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band winning 16 times. Other multiple World Champions include the Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band (eight times), the Clan MacRae Society Pipe Band (eight times) and the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band (eight times).
This year’s World Pipe Band Championships will see 211 bands competing from 14 countries: Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and France.
Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, and Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is proud to host the world’s biggest week of piping each August. With both Piping Live! and The World Pipe Band Championships taking place here, there is no better place on earth to enjoy the sights, sounds and spectacle of world-class piping.
“These landmark events are highlights of Glasgow’s cultural calendar, attracting thousands of participants and spectators from across the globe, while showcasing the city on an international stage and supporting our visitor economy.
“Renowned as the worldwide home of piping, it’s an honour for Glasgow to host this much-loved festival and hugely prestigious championships. We cannot wait to welcome audiences from across Scotland and around the world to celebrate our culture, heritage, and music this summer.”
Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, added: “Piping Live! is an unmissable week in Scotland’s events calendar. It is fantastic to be supporting the festival once again as it continues to go from strength to strength, bringing together performers and visitors from across the country and the globe, and demonstrating why Scotland is a world-leading tourism and events destination.
“This year has another exciting line up, culminating in the must-see World Pipe Band Championships. We look forward to hearing the city come alive in August, connecting communities and our visitors with Scotland’s musical heritage.
Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 0101 353 8000 or via box_office_enquiries@