Antrim & Newtownabbey Championships 2026

Admission & Carparking

Event Admission

• Entry is free

General Parking

• Parking is limited within Antrim Castle Gardens and this is reserved for Accessible Car Parking, Accessible Motorhomes, Band Coaches, Adjudicators and invited guests only
• The Branch has organised a complimentary shuttle bus service from the green area at The Junction Retail Park. Parking is free, and bands and spectators can use the service which will run all day between 8am and 7pm
• The buses will bring you right into Castle Gardens and they are also accessible for disabled persons.  Signage will direct you to the [Green Area] at The Junction, where you can park and get on the bus
• Additional parking is available in the town centre car parks.  Please adhere to the directional signage around the town and be aware of any charges for specific car parks

Accessible Car Parking

• Branch Officials are prioritising the provision for accessible parking
• Provision for 65 accessible car parking spaces for Blue Badge holders is available at the designated accessible car parking zone within Antrim Castle Gardens site
• Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
• It is recommended that you apply for an Accessible Car Parking Pass as soon as possible as the application system will close when all available accessible car spaces are allocated
• Further spaces are available at The Junction Retail Park and it is accessible-friendly also.
• You will only gain entry to the Antrim Castle Gardens site if you present the unique accessible parking pass together with a valid blue badge. This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day
• Entry to Antrim Castle Gardens will be denied if you do not present both parking pass & valid blue badge. This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day
• Passes will be issued at least one day before the event
• Please present your blue badge at the entrance and you will be directed to the accessible car parking zone

Band Coach / Minibus Parking

• Band coaches & minibuses must only park at the designated coach parking zone
• Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
• Passes will be issued at least one day before the event

Motorhomes

• There is no overnight motorhome parking available within Antrim Castle Gardens
• Motorhome parking is strictly restricted for 5 motorhomes for accessible users on due to the limited space at Antrim Castle Gardens.
• Provision for 5x accessible motorhome spaces, for Blue Badge holders is available within the designated accessible motorhome zone within Antrim Castle Gardens site
• Please pre-book this by using the Parking Pass Application Form Click Here
• You will only gain entry to the Antrim Castle Gardens site if you present the unique accessible motorhome pass together with a valid blue badge. This blue badge must be for an occupant of the vehicle on the day
• Details on caravan parks for motorhomes in the Antrim area can be found here

Information for Bands

Band Gazebos

• Gazebos must only be erected within the designated practice area
• Gazebos must not be erected on the main event site as this can interfere with arenas.
• You may only erect a band gazebo at this event if you have applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit
  
• If you have already applied for a Season2026 Gazebo Permit for this event, and your band is entered, a gazebo parking pass will be emailed out to you one day before the event. You do not need to apply again.
• If you need to apply for a Season2026 gazebo pass for the first time, please see Gazebo Application Form
• You must provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance schedule when applying for your permit online
• If event organisers request gazebos to be taken down during the event for safety reasons, this must be complied with

Practice/Tuning

• When your band is practising/tuning, you must be aware of your proximity to any band and/or drum major contest arenas and must ensure that you do not get too close as to cause interference with them
• Final Tuning will be clearly identifiable. Your band practising must not interfere with the final tuning areas.
• Bands should only sound within the final tuning area to ensure there is no interference with any contest arenas for bands or Drum Majors
• Bands should follow any requests from RSPBA Directors, Stewards and Branch Officials regarding this and this must complied with

Finale

• The finale will be a massed band, advancing playing “The Battle’s O’er”
• Bands should start preparing at the conclusion of Grade 2 competition and following the Adult Drum Major final.
• Nominated lead bands will be informed by email in advance. Lead bands should be in place no later than 15:50hrs and should make themselves available promptly at the front of the massed band
• All bands and Drum Majors must be in place no later than 16:00hrs to ensure that the Massed Band Finale commences promptly.
• All bands and drum majors must comply with Local Branch Rules 7.1 and 7.2, and RSPBA Rule 4.79

General Info

Programmes

• Will be available to purchase from the Registration Tent at a cost of £5.00.  Cash, card and contactless is accepted

Food/Drink

• There will be a selection of food and drink vendors on the day.  Please note, some may only take cash

Barbeques

• Fixed and disposable barbeques are not permitted at this event

Toilet Facilities

• Portaloos will be available at the event and will be detailed on the map within the programme.
• Please show respect to users of Accessible facilities as not all disabilities are visible

First Aid

• Accredited First Aid will be available at the contest area and will be detailed on the map within the programme.

Lost Persons

• Please report any lost persons immediately to any Branch or Event Officials on duty

Drones

• Drones are not permitted to be flown above any crowd or public event.  This restriction applies to all drones, regardless of size and weight.  This is to ensure public safety and to minimise the risk of accidents or injuries

Litter

• Please dispose of all litter in the bins provided around the event site. This is a Council facility and normal bylaws apply
• All bands are responsible for ensuring that clearing any practice space they occupy (gazebos / final tuning). This will be monitored throughout the day and at the conclusion of the event by Branch Officials

Dogs

• Assistance dogs are welcome at this event
• Well-behaved dogs are also welcome but must be kept on a short lead
• Dogs must be able to cope with large crowds and noise
• Ensure any dogs barking are taken away immediately so as not to interfere with band performances
• Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.

Safeguarding

• Safeguarding Information can be found  here

Unacceptable Behaviour

• This event is made possible with the help of our volunteers, who are on duty to help and assist you – please demonstrate respect to them always.
• The Branch Executive has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of our volunteers and event officials.

Recording & Photographs

• Video recordings, audio recordings or photographs are not permitted without written permission from The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch prior to the commencement of the Championships.

Tourist Information

• For things to see and do around the area and the wider Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council area, please see  Visit Antrim & Newtownabbey

General Queries

• • please email contests@rspbani.org 

Syllabus

This event run under RSPBANI Local Rules. If you have any queries, please e-mail secretary@rspbani.org.

Band Draw

Band Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.

Drum Major Draw

Drum Major Dress time is 11:00
Drum Major Draw is available here.
Click on the document to view the controls.