British Firework
Championships 2026

Six leading firework companies battle over two nights to win the title of British Firework Champion of Champions.

Each night, three 10-minute displays are fired from Mount Batten breakwater in Plymouth Sound.

Night One – Wednesday, 12 August 2026

• Electrify Pyrotechnics – Derbyshire

• Smart Pyrotechnics – Wiltshire

• G2 Fireworks – Yorkshire

Night Two – Thursday, 13 August 2026

• Nemesis Pyrotechnics – Cheshire

• AJ Pyrotechnics – Kent

• The Fireworkers – Yorkshire

Each competitor is given an equal space on Mont Batten breakwater to rig their display. Each display must last exactly 10 minutes and is judged on several technical and artistic criteria. Each display starts with a single Red, Amber and Green aerial burst before the 10-minute starts.

The firing order for the companies was drawn at random. The order can be reversed if the wind changes direction, so that debris doesn’t land on a competitor’s site that is yet to fire.

The Technical Advisor oversees adjudication and has the final say on when displays are fired. Assuming no problems, the displays will fire at 9:30 pm, 9:50 pm, and 10:10 pm.

Many rules and restrictions apply to the companies firing the displays. Many months of planning have gone into the displays.

Some of the many rules include;

• Displays have upper and lower weight limits for explosive materials, set by organisers. Teams must comply strictly
• Size and angle constraints apply to individual devices (e.g., shell diameters), and no plastic components are allowed in firework construction.
• Crew numbers are capped, and all electrical fusing must be completed within a specified timeframe before firing.
• Detailed firing lists and even visualisation of the display have been submitted months in advance.

The promoter of the event is Plymouth Council, who pay for the event. Each competitor receives a payment from the council to cover the cost of the fireworks, but they must also contribute significantly more of their own money to have a chance of winning.

The winner and runner-up receive a cash prize, which is unlikely to cover the money that the company spends to compete.

Winning the British Firework Championships, in theory, makes it easier to enter international firework competitions. For one year, the company can promote itself as the official British Champion. This year’s competitors can promote themselves as the Champion of Champions.

While the exact details of how the judging is managed each year are not made public, below is a typical example of how the competitors will be judged this year.

Who Judges?

The judging panel consists of three professional judges from the firework display industry, alongside up to three lay judges from the local community, such as dignitaries or public members. Additionally, a separate adjudicator, often the Event Manager and Technical Advisor, may oversee compliance, site professionalism, documentation, and safe practice.

Professional Judges: Scoring Criteria

Professional judges grade performances across four main areas, each worth up to 20 points:

1. Show Design Quality – Overall concept, creativity, and coherent progression.
2. Performance Quality – Execution, pacing, and smooth transitions.
3. Symmetry, Patterns & Timing – Balance across the sky, consistency, and coordination.
4. Artistic Impression – Visual impact, ambience, and the overall ‘wow’ factor.

In addition to these scores, teams can earn up to 10 bonus points (or face deductions) based on:

• Sportsmanship and professionalism.
• Compliance with rules, documentation, timing, and safe practices.

The adjudicator has the authority to enforce potential disqualifications or impose penalty deductions.

Lay Judges: Audience Perspectives

Lay judges assess performances by awarding up to 10 points each in the following audience-focused categories:

1. Variety of fireworks and sequences.
2. Rhythm of the display.
3. Use of colour.
4. Overall impression (the ‘wow’ factor). The subtotal from lay judges contributes to the final score.

Displays are filmed on the first night, allowing judges to review all footage before the second night to ensure a fair comparison of performances. Scores are only submitted at the end of the second night, accompanied by comments from each judge explaining their rationale.

How Scores Are Counted

• Professional scores (up to 80) are averaged across the panel, and bonus/professionalism points are added separately.
• Lay judges’ totals (maximum of 40) are summed.
• The final total is calculated as follows: professional average + adjudicator bonus/penalties + lay judges’ subtotal.

In the event of a tie, the chair of the professional panel has the casting vote.

From the Professional Perspective:

• Thoughtful, well-structured show design.
• Flawless firing execution and timing.
• Balanced, symmetrical aerial patterns and pacing.
• Artistic creativity with timing and visual coherence.

Important Considerations:
Safe, professional conduct and adherence to all documentation, set-up, and competition rules are critical; poor site professionalism can result in lost bonus marks or disqualification.

From the Community Perspective:

• The variety and creativity of effects.
• The rhythm and flow—did the display breathe, build, and crescendo?
• Colour usage: transitions, richness, and combinations.
• Overall impression—did it evoke gasps, smiles, and awe from the audience?