Climbing competitions: from youth rounds to British titles
How UK climbing competitions work, from the BMC Youth Climbing Series to the British Boulder, Lead, Speed and Para Climbing Championships.
In this guide
- What it is: Indoor competition climbing in bouldering, lead and speed.
- What you need first: BMC membership for the Youth Climbing Series and the England and Wales Climbing Trials.
- What's next: Kit, costs and safety
Chalk in the air, a crowd behind you and one shot at the problem. Competition climbing is pure focus.
Where to start
- BMC Youth Climbing Series: regional rounds across England and Wales, then a two-day Grand Final for the top three in each category from each region (U11s don't go to the final). First-timers are welcome. The 2026 categories run from U11 to U19.
- England and Wales Climbing Trials: the selection event for the England Climbing Foundation and Development programmes, for U13 and U15 climbers.
The national calendar
The BMC lists the British Boulder, Lead, Speed, Para Climbing and Ice Climbing Championships, plus the British Youth Boulder and Lead Championships. For 2027 dates, see our British competitions 2027 guide and the BMC's national competition calendar.
Source: National Climbing Competition Calendar, Youth Climbing Series and England and Wales Climbing Trials, BMC, checked October 2026.
Governing body: British Mountaineering Council (BMC) for England and Wales. Leader and instructor awards come from Mountain Training, and coasteering standards come from the National Coasteering Charter, so these are the official places to find out more.
Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.
The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.
