Tickets have gone on sale today (Thursday 23rd March) for the 2023 European Pipe Band Championships, which are coming to Aberdeen this June.
The Championships, held in partnership with The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Aberdeen Inspired, will be held in the city’s Duthie Park on Saturday 24th June.
Over 100 pipe bands from across Europe and as far as Australia will travel to Aberdeen to participate in one of the largest piping events in the world.
Aberdeen last hosted the European Pipe Band Championships in 1981, when the event came to Hazlehead Park.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, joined pupils from Robert Gordon’s College, Cults Academy and Dyce Primary School today in the Duthie Park to welcome the launch of the Championship in Aberdeen.
The Lord Provost said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the European Pipe Band Championships and piping community to our city this summer.
“This is an excellent opportunity to show to the rest of Europe what Aberdeen has to offer and will also hopefully inspire our city’s youth to learn the pipes.”
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Chief Executive Colin Mulhern said: “We are delighted to be back in Aberdeen for the European Pipe Band Championships after an absence of over 40 years. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association wish to thank Aberdeen Council and Aberdeen Inspired for their support in the presentation of this feast of piping, drumming, and drum majoring.
“We look forward to the usual professional standards of presentation as in previous years and look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the World to Aberdeen. I hope the weather will be kind and that you enjoy the sights and sounds of the day.”
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Inspired said: “Aberdeen Inspired is committed to working with both local and national partners in bringing the very best events to our city and the European Pipe Band Championships certainly falls into this category, being the second largest event of its kind in the world.
“We were delighted to bring the proposal to the table and work with both Aberdeen City Council and the RSPBA in making this happen. This event will bring many thousands, from this country and beyond, to the city and will not only help further build Aberdeen’s cultural and wider events reputation but bring a real dividend to so many of our local businesses.”
The day will also feature a range of family fun activities that all ages can enjoy, as well as a selection of food and drink from local producers.
Tickets can be purchased in advance here or on the day of the event.