The British Mountaineering Council welcomes the British Boulder and Lead Championships to Manchester 

Indoor Climbing News
12 Nov
4 min read

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is pleased to announce that the British Boulder and Lead Championships, the pinnacle of the domestic competition calendar, will take place in Manchester in early 2025. 

The British Boulder Championships will be held on 25-26 January, followed by the British Lead Championships on 8-9 February. Both events will be hosted at the newest venue in the Depot Climbing Group’s portfolio, Big Depot in Wythenshawe.

The decision to hold the British Championship events pre-season, based on athlete feedback, aims to avoid scheduling conflicts with international competitions. Additionally, these championships will serve as key selection events for athletes aiming to represent GB Climbing in Boulder and Lead on the global stage.

Lucinda Whittaker, Pathway Manager (Talent & Performance), said:

"The BMC Performance Department is thrilled to combine the British Championships with the GB Climbing Team selection processes this year. Hosting the British Championships in Manchester offers an incredible opportunity for athletes from across the UK to compete at a major event, which will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of climbers.”

Click here to find out more information on selection policies and processes.

Dan James, Centre Manager at the Big Depot, Manchester, said:

"We are thrilled to host both British Championships at Depot's newest facility. Big Depot Manchester is the perfect location for the best climbers in the country to come to compete and test themselves on the national stage."

Manchester, known for its rich sporting heritage, is an ideal city for hosting the British Championship events. The city's dedication to inclusivity and community engagement ensures accessible sporting opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. This commitment to fostering a culture of participation extends beyond elite competition, making Manchester a hub for both emerging talent and experienced climbers.

Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure at Manchester City Council, said:

“We are delighted that the BMC has chosen to host their British Championships in Boulder and Lead at the brand-new Big Depot in Wythenshawe. Hosting major events in this fantastic new facility will allow residents to watch GB’s best climbers in action. Inspiring young and old alike to give climbing a go.

As a city we have significant plans to work collaboratively with the BMC over the coming years to host even bigger events in Manchester which thousands can enjoy”.

The British Boulder and Lead Championships will feature Senior and U17 (Youth B) categories. This is an open competition and entries for the championship events will open on Monday 9 December at 8am and close at 12pm (Midday) on Friday 17 January 2025.

The full domestic competitions calendar will be announced in due course and will include a Paraclimbing Championship, a Speed series hosted in conjunction with Mountaineering Scotland and Mountaineering Ireland, and a Youth Boulder and Lead Championships.

Volunteer at the British Championships

The BMC is pleased to confirm that the volunteer recruitment window is open for this event and is accepting expressions of interest from those who would like to join the event team. For more information and to register your interest in volunteering, please click here.

Book your accommodation with HotelPlanner

As the official accommodation supplier of the BMC, HotelPlanner is a bespoke booking platform for BMC members, where you can access specially negotiated hotel rates in the UK and across the world. BMC members can access discounted hotel deals here.

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