As the autumn season deepens, anticipation is rapidly building across the entire pigeon racing community for what promises to be the highlight of the winter calendar. On Saturday, 28th November 2026, the North Road Championship Club (NRCC) will open the doors to the modern and highly accessible Springfields Exhibition Centre in Spalding for the annual Day of Champions.
This year’s gathering is far more than a standard end-of-season presentation; it marks a truly monumental milestone in our sport’s history 125 years of elite North Road racing. Operating with an exhibition door time starting from 09:30 AM, this is a celebration of heritage, grit, and community that no true fancier can afford to miss.
What sets the NRCC apart, and what has sustained it for over a century, is its unflinching core identity: it is an organization ‘run by the fancy, for the fancy’. In an era where many pastimes have become overly commercialised, the NRCC ensures that every single penny of profit generated from this event flows directly back into supporting the club and its dedicated members. This transparency and dedication to the grassroots level are exactly why the Day of Champions has earned its reputation as the ultimate social hub for flyers nationwide. It honors the immense, year-round dedication required to compete at the very highest levels of our sport. If you are contemplating racing north road come along and see what we are about, our transporter will be on display, the corn we use, come and talk to the convoyer who is in charge of your birds on race day.
The 125th anniversary is the perfect backdrop to toast a historic 2026 racing season. The North Road remains the definitive, ultimate test of a pigeon’s courage and determination, requiring birds to navigate unpredictable headwinds, shifting British weather, and grueling geography. Fanciers attending the event will have the unique opportunity to “Meet the Masters,” getting up close and personal with this season’s open and section winners to talk tactics with the finest minds in the sport. It is a chance to celebrate historic triumphs, such as Daniel Soanes-Brown lifting the prestigious King’s Cup from Lerwick and Chris Leak’s dominant display at Thurso, while watching the historic trophies being handed over.
Beyond the elite racing pedigree, the NRCC has mastered the art of turning a formal prize-giving into a lively, profitable, and dynamic day out for the entire family. The venue will feature a massive array of trade stands that directly support the club, allowing attendees to connect with top-tier industry names returning year after year, including Bamfords, Body and Ridewood, Kevin Winter Pigeon Botanicals, Tumley Lofts, Little Ewe Prize Cards, Gold Bird Products, Max Nest Felts, Andy Colby Pigeon Photographer Unikon and Heart of England Auctiopns.
For businesses looking to engage with an exceptionally dedicated, nationwide audience, this landmark anniversary presents an unparalleled marketing opportunity.
Should you wish to showcase your products or company at this historic event, please contact Ray Knight on 07739 571166 to secure your trade presence. Paired with an excellent value bar, great food, an on-site Travelodge, and pre-Christmas retail therapy at the neighboring Springfields Outlet shopping village, the event offers something for everyone. Mark your calendars, round up the family, and join the fancy on November 28th to raise a glass to 125 years of historic North Road racing.