Bristol International Balloon Fiesta to host National Hot Air Balloon Championships

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – one of the most iconic events in ballooning – will this year host the long-standing British National Hot Air Balloon Championships (The Nationals).

Image - British National Hot Air Balloon Championships

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – one of the most iconic events in ballooning – will this year host the long-standing British National Hot Air Balloon Championships (The Nationals).

While the main Fiesta will take place over three days from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August, the competition will run from Tuesday 6 August to Sunday 11 August. The Nationals will be an addition to the Fiesta’s new ‘Fiesta Week’ community launch programme, providing the people of Bristol with more chance than ever to see balloons in flight, weather permitting.

The Nationals, which began in the 1970’s, will see approximately 15 teams of balloonists take flight twice daily, from the evening of Tuesday 6 August to the morning of Sunday 11 August, flying over the city and surrounding areas. This is the first time the competition has taken place in Bristol.

For every competition flight, each team will be tasked with completing a series of set challenges. Some tasks include dropping markers, virtually or physically, in a predetermined location, completing a ‘donut’ where the pilot has to fly the greatest distance staying within a predefined airspace, or achieving an ‘elbow’ where they attempt to make a 180-degree turn using the winds.

To add to the excitement and entertainment of attending the main Fiesta event at Ashton Court Estate, in the mornings from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August, competing teams will be set the challenge of dropping physical markers into the main event arena. Visitors will have the chance of witnessing the unique site of balloons flying low, directly into the event site, dropping their markers and flying on again.

Unlike the traditional round and special shaped hot air balloons seen at the Fiesta, competition balloons are smaller, slimmer, and more agile and will provide a new and exciting style of hot air ballooning to the event. 

Ben Hardy, executive director, Balloon International Balloon Fiesta commented: “We’re of course delighted to welcome the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships to the Fiesta and to the world capital of hot air ballooning, Bristol.

“The Fiesta is a celebration of the city’s rich balloon history and the love so many have for the sport. To provide the opportunity to show some of the most exciting and captivating action ballooning has to offer is an incredible addition to the programme.

“Alongside our new community launches, Fiesta Week promises to be an awe-inspiring occasion for everyone in the city to enjoy.”

The competition is open to teams from across the world, with the British winner of the Nationals picked to fly for Team GB Ballooning and compete in the World Championships. Some of the world’s best balloonists could well be putting on a show for the Bristol crowd. 

Stephanie Hemmings, BBAC Competitions Club Chairman, said: “We’re very excited to host this year’s National Championships for the first time ever in Bristol alongside the Fiesta.” 

“It will be a new challenge to fly over the city and will undoubtedly show the high levels of skill from teams both from the UK and across the world. We can’t wait to kick things off in August.”

The 2024 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will take place over three days from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August in the rolling hills of Ashton Court Estate.

The Fiesta will still include two Night Glow events, which will take place consecutively on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Organisers have also announced an extension of the event. Between Monday 5 and Thursday 8 August, ‘Fiesta Week’ will see a fleet of hot air balloons popping up in local communities across the city in a series of local launches.  

Over the coming months, organisers will announce new features and programme highlights but in the meantime are calling on the city to help protect the future of the Fiesta. 

Visitors can support the event by putting the date firmly in their diary and purchasing their car parking tickets in advance. 

Partners and brands can come onboard to further develop the entertainment programme that showcases this novel and colourful event and its true sense of adventure.  

Businesses can join the fabric of this event through sponsorship to not only support the Fiesta but protect this iconic event that has a significant impact on the region’s visitor economy and its international profile. 

For more information visit www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk  or follow @bristolballoon on Instagram, X and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on Facebook for the latest news and updates.