British Firework Championships Return to Plymouth

The British Firework Championships are returning to Plymouth this summer, bringing the UK's top pyrotechnic teams together for another national final. Scheduled for Wednesday 12 August and Thursday 13 August 2026, the event is run in partnership with Associated British Ports and ZeroUSV. Six professional pyrotechnic companies will compete, each presenting a ten-minute display starting from 9:30pm and running until 10:15pm. The firing takes place on the Mount Batten Breakwater, which is closed to the public, making Plymouth Hoe and Hoe Road the primary viewing locations. Before the displays start, a programme of live music and entertainment will take place on the main stage from 5pm until 8:45pm, followed by official fireworks commentary.

This annual competition has been a staple of the city's summer calendar since it was launched in 1997 by the Event Services Association (TESA) alongside Plymouth City Council. It regularly draws over 200,000 spectators to the waterfront. For the 2026 edition, local care-experienced children and young people are set to play a key role in the event's delivery. The event has also maintained its Bronze level accreditation from Attitude is Everything's Live Events Access Charter, ensuring accessible facilities are integrated into the event setup on the Hoe.

Looking back at the 2025 event, which took place on 13 and 14 August, the competition featured a "Champion of Champions" format. Six previous winners competed, including Sonic Fireworks from Devon, Skyburst The Firework Co from Bristol, BBB Fireworks from East Sussex, Selstar Fireworks from West Sussex, Fully Fused Fireworks from Bedfordshire, and 1st Galaxy Firework Displays from Nottingham. Selstar Fireworks took home the Champion of Champions title, with BBB Fireworks finishing as runner-up and winning the Young People's Choice Award, while 1st Galaxy Fireworks took third place. This added to a long history of winners, which includes BBB Fireworks in 2024, Skyburst in 2023, and Sonic Fireworks in 2022.

The event's history also connects to local landmarks and academic achievements. The Mount Batten peninsula itself has a deep history, from its 17th-century fortification tower to its past as a hydroplane base where T.E. Lawrence was once stationed. Additionally, the University of Plymouth has its own connection to pyrotechnic history; in 2006, chemistry lecturer Roy Lowry set a Guinness World Record during the championships by launching over 55,000 rockets in 30 seconds. Today, the championships remain a major gathering for both locals and visitors looking to see the country's best display teams compete on the coast.