World Solo Drumming Championships 2026

The World Solo Drumming Championships come to Glasgow Caledonian University on Saturday 17 October, bringing together the world's leading solo pipe band drummers for one of the most prestigious titles on the piping and drumming calendar. It's a live competition, so you'll see the performances up close rather than from the back of a large parade ground.

The lineup runs from rising stars to established champions, all competing for the same title. Because it's a solo event, the focus stays on the individual drummer rather than the full band, and you'll hear the difference between the newcomers and the names that have been around for years. It's part of the wider World Pipe Band Championships, so it's one of several events happening across the city that weekend.

One of the better things about it is that it's open to audiences of all ages, so it works as much for a family outing as it does for anyone who follows the scene. If you've never seen a pipe band competition before, this is a good place to start: it's a single instrument and a single performer, and you're close enough to see the work that goes into it.

It starts at 3:00pm at Glasgow Caledonian University, and tickets are £12.70.