Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is pleased to support the 2026 Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships through its Tourism Major Event Grant programme.
The prestigious event will take place on 25 and 26 September 2026 at 20 Ballyknock Road, Royal Hillsborough, BT26 6EF, bringing together competitors, exhibitors, farming businesses and visitors from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
As one of the region's most recognised agricultural events, the Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships is expected to attract significant visitor numbers, providing opportunities for local businesses and showcasing the area's strong rural heritage and agricultural excellence.
Through the Council's Tourism Major Event Grant, support is being provided to help deliver the championship and maximise its potential economic and tourism benefits for the Lisburn & Castlereagh area.
Alderman James Baird, Chair of the Regeneration and Growth Committee, said: "Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to support the Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships 2026 through our Tourism Major Event Grant programme. This event has a long-standing reputation for celebrating the importance of agriculture and rural communities while attracting visitors from across the region.
"Major events such as this play a valuable role in boosting local tourism, supporting businesses and showcasing everything that our area has to offer. We look forward to welcoming competitors, exhibitors and spectators to Royal Hillsborough in September 2026 and wish the organisers every success with the event."
Event host Ronald Coulter BEM added: "It is a great pleasure to welcome the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association to our home at Stanus Grove for the 2026 Championships.
"We are looking forward to welcoming officials, sponsors, competitors, traders and spectators to Stanus Grove for what promises to be a memorable event. Alongside the ploughing competitions, Saturday's programme will feature horse ploughing, a tractor pull organised by Hillsborough Young Farmers Club, a dedicated Kids' Zone with bouncy castles, a mobile petting farm and sand pit, as well as the Harry Ferguson Museum & Farmstead display and demonstrations of vintage and classic tractors and implements.
"We hope everyone who visits enjoys an interesting, enjoyable and memorable experience."
Visit the NI Ploughing Association's website and Facebook page for more.