Canal pairs championships 2026

We would like to thank Simon Preece for agreeing to volunteer to help us with the 2026 social media event promotion along with the various clubs and local organisers whose hard work make the event possible.

Entering the 2026 championships

The Canal Pairs is back for 2026 with Canal & River Trust once again managing the event. We have a variety of venues lined up across the UK canal network that will see plenty of bites and ignite friendly local competition once more, with the prospect of appearing in a large atmospheric grand final.

Our best estimate is that there will be around £8,000 in the final prize pot with the top 10 pairs being paid out.

New introduction for 2026

Where four or more junior pairs enter a qualifying heat, the highest finishing pair of juniors will automatically qualify for the final as of right, regardless of their overall finishing position. If eight or more pairs entered, then two pairs would qualify as of right. For the purposes of this competition only, a junior is defined as any person aged between 12 and 16 years inclusive on 01/01/2026. All juniors aged under 16 on the day  they are fishing must be accompanied by a responsible adult’ who is also responsible the payment of any event entry fees and would receive any prizes won in the final. Should a pair of juniors qualify as of right, the second highest pair would not qualify for the final unless they had also qualified as of right.

There is no requirement for participants qualifying for the grand final to be members of Angling Trust or a Friend of Canal & River Trust. The final will take place on Saturday 3 October 2026 on the Staffordshire & Worchester Canal in the Penkridge area with Paul Turner as local organiser.

Entry to the competition will cost £40 per pair, per event. This will be split:

• £32 to the final prize pot
• £3.50 Eventbrite commission
• £1.50 event administration
• £3 contribution towards the Canal & River Trust Let’s Fish programme

Full event rules can be found here.