Kapitol Promotions Ltd., which owns and promotes the National Championships of Great Britain has announced that the 2026 Section 1-4 National Finals will be held at York Barbican over the weekend of the 19th & 20th September.
The announcement comes just before the first Regional Championship event of the 2026 series takes place in Blackpool where bands will look to book their qualification places.
The decision sees the National Final move from Cheltenham, where it has been based since 2011, whilst the date has been brought forward by a week from its initial weekend of the 26th & 27th September.
Entertainment venue
It is likely to be a decision welcomed by the wider banding movement who had become somewhat disillusioned in recent years by the somewhat sterile atmosphere of the Cheltenham Finals.
York Barbican is an indoor entertainment venue situated in the centre of the historic city. Opened in 1991 and refurbished in 2011 it regularly hosts major events, including political party conferences and the UK Snooker Championships. It's main auditorium has a seating capacity of 1400.
4BR understands that all major hotel booking providers have also been informed of the change of venue and dates.
Step forward
Speaking about the decision to relocate to York, Philip Morris (Managing Director of Kapitol Promotions) stated: "The Kapitol Board of Directors has decided that York Barbican provides performers with prestigious, professional facilities in a truly world-class live events environment, representing a significantly positive step forward for the National Championships, its competing bands, supporters, and audiences.".
He added: "As part of its continuing quest to present the best possible environment for the Sections 1-4 National Finals, Kapitol Promotions has explored a wide range of venues across the country, including universities that have proved unavailable due to clashes with mid-September academic term dates.
The Barbican will strengthen the National Finals' experience by offering everything that Section 1- 4 National finalists, supporters, and audiences deserve: a geographically central position in Great Britain with broadly comparable travel distances from Cornwall and Scotland, an excellent city-centre location serviced by strong transport links, an outstanding modern technical infrastructure, professional production standards, and audience comfort".
The decision sees the National Final move from Cheltenham, where it has been based since 2011, whilst the date has been brought forward by a week from its initial weekend of the 26th & 27th September4BR
Enhances experience
Kapitol Promotions offered its thanks to their operations team at Cheltenham Racecourse and paid tribute to their professionalism and commitment in helping to deliver successful Sections 1-4 National Finals events.
Philip Morris concluded: "York Barbican was originally under consideration for 2027. However, within the last two weeks the opportunity arose for 2026 which was too good to miss. I would like to make it clear that this decision has been taken by the Directors of Kapitol Promotions with one clear priority: to deliver an environment that befits and enhances the National Finals' experience for all."
Further event details, including schedule information and ticketing arrangements, will be announced soon.
