The World Pipe Band Championships are the pinnacle of competitive Pipe Band competition and are organised on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association by the City of Glasgow. The current World Champions are Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
The first ever World Pipe Band Championships were held in Edinburgh in 1947. The event was first held in Glasgow in 1948 and has been staged in the city continuously since 1986. So far over 140 bands have already declared they will take part with entries remaining open until 4 July.
The World Pipe Band Championships is part of the Partner Programme for the Year of Young People 2018. The Year of Young People 2018 provides a platform to promote and celebrate the talents, achievements and contributions of Scotland’s incredible young people.
In recent years, over 225 bands have travelled from all over the world, bringing around 8000 pipers and drummers to compete in eight grades for the world title. Entries for this year’s event are open and the final list of participants will be confirmed six weeks before the championships.
Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association said: “The World Pipe Band Championships has an association with Glasgow which stretches back 70 years. We expect the majority of competitors in 2018 will be under the age of 25 meaning the future of the bands they play in and the competitions themselves are in excellent hands. Every band that competes will already have spent weeks and months working towards their performance at Glasgow Green in pursuit of the ultimate prize, to become World Champions. The competition will be fierce and the performances world-class which makes The Worlds a truly special occasion”.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Piping is a quintessential part of Scotland’s identity and EventScotland is delighted to be continuing its long-standing support of the World Pipe Band Championships to showcase the best pipers and drummers from around the world. It’s particularly exciting to have so many young people taking part and showing off their musical talents, especially as we celebrate Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018.
Tickets for the event and full information will be available via www.theworlds.co.uk with discounts on some tickets for people buying in advance. You can also buy tickets by calling 0141 353 8000 and in person at the Royal Concert Hall box office.
Tickets for the showpiece Grade 1 competition can sell out in advance. Hospitality packages for both days are available. Under 5s attend the event for free. As well as the best Pipe Bands in the world, the event also hosts Highland Games, Highland Dancing and a great showcase of Scottish food and drink.
The World Pipe Band Championships are held in Glasgow at the same time as the city hosts Piping Live!
Piping Live! is a week-long celebration of bagpipes and traditional music, taking place between 13 – 19 August. It brings over 40,000 music fans to Glasgow and sees over 150 events take place in various venues across the city. Ticketed events include firm favourites, The Masters Solo Piping Competition Lowland and Borders Pipers’ Society and International Quartet Competition 2018, plus much more. Listen to some of the best live acts for free at the festival Street Café, there will be Pipe Idol, emerging artists, sponsor showcases and much more. Each event will showcase the world’s most talented musicians in modern trad music. Keep updated on ticket information from www.pipinglive.co.uk