Pipe Bands Queensland is excited to announce the confirmed dates for our 2026 season. 2026 will be our biggest yet featuring 7 band contests and 3 mini band contests. Two new competitions are on the calendar, allowing the creation of a defined band and mini band period, catering for bands desiring larger and smaller group performances.
The Kinross Cluster of Rotary Clubs will deliver its first competition as part of a highland gathering they are hosting. Having a promoter external to the pipe band community creates an opportunity to bring a new audience in as well as leverage the volunteer and organisational capabilities that Rotary brings. This will be delivered as both a band and mini band contest.
The Mackay Bluewater Fling delivers our first competition in North Queensland in over 20 years. PBQ has been engaging with bands throughout North and Central Queensland over the last 12 months and will continue to support the hard work being done by these bands. With 17 bands being located in North and Central Queensland it is critical that we work to develop and strengthen the pipe band community outside of South East Queensland.
The 2026 season will also see a number of interstate and international judges at most contests, helping to create diversified feedback as well as creating new relationships and discussions amongst our judging panel.
Bands will notice that the season schedule is a little different for 2026, and even different from the draft plan discussed at the October Branch Meeting. Each of our promoters has a number of restrictions on venue availability, particularly for our existing promoters. Working to achieve a coherent calendar has been more challenging this year than in the past, particularly trying to ensure a weekend break in between each competition. In meeting the needs of all promoters the Queensland Championships is no longer the last contest of the season for 2026. Bands are strongly encouraged to participate in the full season, including those competitions after the Championships. The Champion of Champion contest will become a more significant part of our contest season, with consistent participation a key to winning Champion Band status.
The entry form for the 2026 contest season will be sent to band secretaries over the coming weeks. Bands are encouraged to enter all contests they plan to compete in before the start of the season to aid the branch in providing a draw earlier. Bands will be able to get a full refund 21 days prior to the competition (when the contest draw is planned for release), to encourage early entries.
All contests are currently loaded into the PBQ events calendar. As draws and further information on these contests becomes available the events will be updated. The website should become your single point of truth for event details and the most recent contest draw.
As always, bands are welcome to test themselves by playing up into the higher grade if they desire. While recently many 4B bands have only been entering the Selection of Marches element they are strongly encouraged to enter both elements (SOM and Medley), with the 4B results for 2026 onwards being a combination of SOM and Medley; like in every other grade. The requirement for a Medley in 4B is simply 3-5 minutes, so even playing the SOM again meets the minimum requirements for entry.
Registration is a key part of the competition criteria. PBA registration period runs from 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026. Bands are encouraged to get their band registration sorted ASAP to avoid delays at the start of next season. Member registration is also required for those voting and/or taking on a role at the PBQ AGM on 30 November. PBA judges are provided registration at no cost as usual. If bands have any questions on the various rules, registrations, tutors, dual register, interchange, etc. they should reach out to Vice-Principal Rule & Administration Jamie Robinson.
