Lower Section Nationals move North
Kapitol Promotions Ltd., which owns and promotes the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, has announced that the Section 1-4 National Finals will relocate from The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse to York Barbican, and will take place over the weekend of Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September.
Philip Morris (Managing Director of Kapitol Promotions) commented: “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 continued: “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, in the historic City of York, 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.”
As the Sections 1-4 National Finals bids farewell to The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, which has hosted the two-day event since 2011, Kapitol Promotions offered their sincere thanks to their operations team 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 an opportunity 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
