European Brass Band Association is pleased to announce that the European Brass Band Championships for 2028 will be held in Birmingham, England.
It was reported on 24 January 2026 that Brass Bands England would no longer be the host organisation for the 2028 European Brass Band Championships (EBBC).
Following that announcement EBBA has contacted and been approached by several alternative host countries and organisations to host the event in 2028. This eventually led to opportunities where EBBA could consider around 10 different leads, initiatives or options to host the event in other places.
However, EBBA received strong feedback from many stakeholders in UK and Europe that there was a strong positive interest and support to stick to the original idea to make it Birmingham and England for the 50 years anniversary for the event, which started for the first time in 1978.
Based on thorough evaluation of the possibilities and on a strong commitment to the original ambition it turned out to be possible to hold the event in Birmingham for the anniversary year 2028. The booking for the last weekend of April 2028 has now been reinstated with B:Music, the charity responsible for Birmingham Symphony Hall. This will also mark the fourth time the event has been hosted at one of Europe’s finest concert halls.
The event will be organisationally and financially undertaken by EBBA. To help realising this EBBA has received a donation from a private sponsor who wants to support the EBBC in England for the anniversary.
“We are extremely pleased and thankful by the strong, engaging and encouraging feedback from the EBBA member countries, other possible host organisations and cities, the bands and other stakeholders we have been in dialogue with during this process. This confirms and demonstrates the reputation and attractiveness to be involved in the European championships. We will now see the event happen in the “motherland” of banding for the anniversary event”, says Ulf Rosenberg, President of the European Brass Band Association.
“The organisational model and setup for the preparations and execution of the event will now be further developed based on the support and input also received by the meeting held yesterday with the delegates from the different EBBA member countries”, says Rosenberg.
“We’re delighted to be working with the European Brass Band Association to host the European Brass Band Championships at Symphony Hall in 2028. Having previously hosted the championships back in 2022, to have the opportunity to bring them back to Birmingham, and to the UK, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations was too good to miss. Sending all of our best wishes to those performing in Linz this weekend, and to those participating in Switzerland in 2027, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Birmingham for the birthday celebrations in 2028”, says Chris Proctor, Head of Programme at B:Music in Birmingham.