The 27th Northern Ireland Open International Accordion Championships will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick, Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 7th, 2026, organised by Clyde Johnston.

The event has attracted around 170 entries from various regions, including the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, and Germany, as well as a strong local entry.

“The championships will feature a wide range of accordion music styles, catering to all ages and grades, from classical and continental to traditional. The event will include sections such as Solo, Duet, Group, Orchestral, Marching Band, and Drum Majors, making it the largest accordion championships in Great Britain and Ireland.”

“The daytime activities will culminate with a Massed Band finale and Drum Majors display and competition, followed by a concert featuring top accordionists and a prize presentation.”

There will also be a number of trade exhibitors which will add to the interest and atmosphere on the day.

Clyde Johnston has also announced that BBC Radio Ulster wish to feature the Accordion Championships in their weekly Ulster-Scots magazine KINTRA.

Two of the show’s presenters Rab Lennox and Willie Hill will be in attendance on Saturday to chat to some of the competitors and spectators and maybe even record some of the performances.

KINTRA, BBC Radio Ulster’s weekly Ulster-Scots magazine programme (Sundays at 6:00 PM), covers news, music, poetry, and heritage, often highlighting local stories from across Northern Ireland. KINTRA is available to listen to on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, and BBC Sounds.

The competition program features:

Friday night March 6th: A ‘free and easy’ concert will be held in the Donegore Suite from 8pm. This concert will feature popular accordionists Anne-Marie Devine and Sean O’Neill, Oscar Everitt, Barry Smith, Carlo Pesticcio, Nigel and Elaine Black, Gary Arnold and The Knockagh Singers.

Saturday night March 7th: A 45-minute concert featuring former World Champion Djordje Gajic and some of the competition competitors. This will be followed by the prize presentation and gala dance.

Daytime admission is free of charge.