SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY WINS WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Simon Fraser University pipe band from Canada has won the World Pipe Band Championships, held at Glasgow Green over two days in August 2026. The victory marks the first time in 16 years that a band from outside the United Kingdom has claimed the title. Field Marshal Montgomery pipe band from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, finished as runner-up, with Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia band in third place.

A total of 211 bands from 14 countries competed in the event, including youth bands. The competition drew participants from Australia, New Zealand, Oman, France, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. Colin Mulhern, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, described the competition as "truly thrilling and fiercely contested" and extended congratulations to Simon Fraser University on securing the grade one global title.

Glasgow Life organised the championships, with its chairwoman Bailie Annette Christie stating that the city was "proud" to host the event. She noted that the championships, held alongside Piping Live!, constitute "the biggest week of piping in the world" and attract thousands of competitors, spectators and visitors. The event contributes significantly to tourism and the economy of Glasgow and Scotland, according to Christie.