A busy start to the autumn contest season sees a historic change at the top, as Brass Band Willebroek goes top of the Band Supplies — 4barsrest World Rankings for the first time ever, following the Belgian champion's runner-up finishes at both the World Championships and the British Open.

Foden's took a 14th title at this month's 'Open', its second under Russell Gray, and will attempt to secure its first 'Double' at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend.

Last weekend's Section 1-4 National Finals saw victories for Marsden Silver (1st Section), Harborough (2nd), Allerton (3rd) and Wardle Community Brass (4th), each of which have moved up significantly in the rankings.

Other ranking contests taking place since the last update were:

World Championships — won by Brass Band Treize Etoiles;
Clans v Counties Contest — won by Kingdom Brass;
French Open Championships — won by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery;
Dutch Open Championships — won by Provincial Brass Band Groningen;
Bugle Contest — won by GUS Band;
Welsh National Eisteddfod — won by Deiniolen;
New South Wales State Championships — won by Willoughby City;
West of Scotland Entertainment — won by Kirkintilloch; Swiss Open — won by Brass Band 13 Etoiles;
Fife Charities — won by Bathgate;
Red Admiral Entertainment Contest — won by Horbury Victoria.

The next update will follow at the end of October, when we will know if Desford Colliery has held onto the National title it won in 2025. There will be plenty of other strong contenders, of course, not least Flowers and Foden's which, given the line-ups at the events remaining this year, appear to be the two favourites to end 2026 on top of the world.

Top 10 bands

1. Brass Band Willebroek
2. Flowers
3. Brass Band Treize Etoiles
4. Foden's
5. Brighouse and Rastrick
6. Cory
7. Valaisia Brass Band
8. Eikanger-Bjørsvik
9. Tredegar
10. Black Dyke

To view all rankings go to:
www.4barsrest.com/rankings