Galway City Council is proud to announce that Galway has been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) World Championships, a global event that will bring thousands of musicians and performers to the city from 13th–15th August 2027. It is anticipated that this will generate 25,000 bed-nights in the city during the festival.
Across this 3 day event, Galway City will welcome marching bands, drum corps, concert bands, and music ensembles and their families from around the globe.
Mayor of Galway City, Peter Keane, said:
"It is a great honour for Galway City to host the 2027 WAMSB World Championships. This event will celebrate the best of international music and culture, bringing our community together and welcoming thousands of visitors to experience the unique hospitality of our city. Galway has a rich tradition of supporting the arts, and we are looking forward to working with our partners to ensure that this event is a memorable and exciting occasion for all involved."
Galway’s hosting bid was a collaborative effort between Galway City Council, IMBA - Irish Marching Bands Association, Celtic Horizon Tours and University of Galway. The competition will also feature a regional qualifying event in 2026, providing an exciting preview of the main event in 2027.
Galway City Council is committed to supporting initiatives that celebrate culture, foster community engagement, and enhance the city’s standing on the global stage. The 2027 WAMSB World Championships promise to be a milestone event for Galway, and the Council looks forward to welcoming performers and audiences from around the world.
Further details about the event and its 2026 regional qualifier will be announced in the coming months.