Simon Fraser University wins world pipe band championship in Scotland

B.C. Simon Fraser University pipe band re-claimed the winning title at the 2026 World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, marking the first win since 2009.

By Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press

Simon Fraser University has another championship to pipe up about.

On Saturday, the Canadian university’s pipe band won the Grade 1 global title at the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland.

It’s the seventh time the band has claimed the title, and the first since 2009.

Led by Pipe Major Alan Bevan, Pipe Sergeant Craig Sutherland, and Lead Drummer J. Reid Maxwell, the band won three of the competition’s four events.

It’s the first time since 2010 that a band from outside the U.K. has won the world championship.

More than 200 bands from 14 countries — including Australia, Malaysia and Sweden — took part in the competition.

In a social media post, the band said the outpouring of support they have received since the win has been “very overwhelming and very humbling.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2026.

Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press

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