Be ready for a weekend of 16 national Competition finals in Staffordshire, as we celebrate Competitions Day and Sports Day from 4-5 July 2026.
With the UK currently experiencing a heatwave, there’s a good chance of experiencing warm weather conditions. Put sunscreen on before you arrive and bring a bottle for topping up during the day. As there are lots of competitions outdoors – including Fence Erecting, Farm Machinery Skills, Clay Pigeon Shooting on Saturday and Rounders, Hockey and Dodgeball on Sunday – bring a hat and bottles of water too. Refreshments will also be available to purchase.
It’s a long day for competitors and spectators so we recommend bringing your favourite snacks to keep you going. There is a café on site, serving hot meals, sandwiches, crisps and cakes for a lunchtime pick-me-up or you’re welcome to bring a picnic.
Buy a raffle ticket ahead of Competitions Day and you could win one or more of our 22 prizes, which include £100 Waring Brooke voucher, a Diddly Squat Farm Hamper, four tickets to Cannon Hall Farm, Hatton Country World or Alton Towers, as well as goody bags, show tickets and a Wickers World Balloon Trip! Purchase your tickets online in advance or buy on the day via the website or using our card reader or with cash. The Club Shop will also be on site too so you can stock up on YFC goodies!
Get the creative juices flowing with a look around this year’s Cube Exhibits, all designed to the theme of Our Favourite Place. Each exhibit includes five craft items, made by members.
Young Farmers are renowned for their public speaking skills and during the day you’ll be able to see them in action across four competitions, Reading, Public Speaking, Brainstrust and MACE Debating.
Catch some live-action drama at Competitions Day, when teams are asked to respond to a ‘realistic’ first aid emergency. Complete with actors and fake blood, teams will have to assess the accident scene and respond quickly to support the ‘injured’ person. Expect some screaming and shocked faces as they tackle the situation. You can also watch how they manage big farming kit safely and spot on farm hazards.
Inspired by the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, our teams will be belting out tunes to impress the judges in our Show Choir competition. Running from 2pm in the Ingestre Suite, you can settle in for an afternoon of entertainment as we’ll also be showcasing our Commercial Dance competitors.
If you are competing in or watching the Clay Pigeon Shooting, supported by BASC, at Oakedge Shooting Ground, allow approximately 10 minutes’ driving time from Staffordshire County Showground. The awards for this competition are presented at the shooting ground, so you don’t need to attend the Showground. If you want to see other competitions or take part in the final ceremony though, you’ll need to head to the Showground.
Join in the awards ceremony on Saturday, where we’ll announce the results from all of our competitions and invite winners to collect their trophies and certificates.
The ceremony starts at 5pm in the Ingestre Suite, where all the winners are announced including our Raffle winners. We’re looking for loud cheers and plenty of support for our winners.
Photographers and videographers will be filming during Saturday and Sunday – and capturing our winners on camera! If you win a place in the top three, remember to get your official photo taken. On Competitions Day, winners will also be invited for a quick chat on camera too! If you don’t want your picture taking, please contact Margaret Bennett.
All competition rules and details can be found here. Many thanks to our competition sponsors Kramp and supporters CFMOTO, JCB KUHN and Border Plant for supporting the Farm Machinery Skills competition, Tronado Wire and M&M Timber (Fortipost)for sponsporing the Fence Erecting, IAE for supporting the Auctioneering and BASC for their support of the Clay Pigeon Shooting.
