Everything You Need to Know: All-Ireland Fleadh Marching Band Competitions 2026
The All-Ireland Fleadh marching band competitions return to Titanic Slipways, Belfast, on Sunday 9 August, with 13 bands from across Ireland and an international visitor from the United States set to compete for All-Ireland honours.
Whether you’re competing, supporting a band or planning to watch the competitions, here’s everything you need to know before the big day.
At a Glance
📅 Date: Sunday 9 August 2026
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📍 Venue: Titanic Slipways, Belfast
🎵 Pipe Band Competition: 12.00pm
🎺 All Other Competitions: 2.00pm
🏆 Competitors: 13 bands
🚫 Parade: There will be no official parade following the competitions
📲 Live Coverage: Marching Bands Ireland will provide live updates, photographs, results and reaction throughout the day.
Competition Schedule
The day’s action gets underway at 12.00pm with the Pipe Band competition.
From 2.00pm, the remaining five sections will take place:
- Senior Flute
- Senior Accordion
- Senior Miscellaneous
- Junior Accordion
- Junior Miscellaneous
Following the conclusion of the competitions, prize presentations will take place at the venue.
Competition Venue
The marching band competitions will once again be held at Titanic Slipways, one of Belfast’s best-known outdoor event spaces beside Titanic Belfast.
The venue offers a large performance arena for competitors and spectators and is within easy walking distance of Titanic Belfast, the SSE Arena and Belfast city centre.
The Competitors
A total of 13 bands will compete across the six sections.
Bands have qualified from Donegal, Down, Mayo, Meath, Tyrone, Westmeath and Wexford, while New York will also be represented in the Pipe Band competition.
The day will feature defending champions, former All-Ireland winners and several bands hoping to end long waits for national success or make history with landmark victories.
No Parade This Year
Unlike previous All-Ireland Fleadhs, there will be no official marching band parade following the competitions.
Organisers have confirmed that no parade will take place in Belfast this year, ending a long-standing tradition that has seen competing bands perform through the streets of the host town after the presentation of prizes.
Parking and Travel
Visitors travelling by car are expected to find parking in the Titanic Quarter car parks surrounding Titanic Belfast and Titanic Slipways.
However, with Belfast hosting one of the biggest Fleadh Cheoil events in recent years, these car parks are expected to be busy. Spectators are advised to arrive in good time and allow extra travel time, particularly as road closures and traffic management measures will be in place across parts of the city during Fleadh week.
Those using public transport can reach Titanic Quarter easily by rail, bus or on foot from Belfast city centre.
Weather
The competitions will take place outdoors, so competitors and spectators are encouraged to keep an eye on the latest forecast in the days leading up to the event and dress for changeable conditions.
Follow the Action
Marching Bands Ireland will be providing live coverage from Titanic Slipways throughout the day, including competition updates, photographs, results and reaction as the 2026 All-Ireland champions are crowned.
We’ll also have post-competition reports, interviews and full results available on the website shortly after the conclusion of each section.