The Royal Grand Open: the RTA's first competition

The Royal Grand Open, the Royal Twirling Association's inaugural baton twirling and majorette competition, was held on Sunday 21 June 2026 at Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Centre in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Ten troupes brought 156 entries to the floor across 54 categories, spanning every discipline the association runs and every age group from the youngest dancers upward. For a first event, staged by an association only months old, it was a considerable turnout.

Categories on the floor

• Pom and Dance Twirl
• Military Freestyle
• Solo Baton and Duo Baton
• Solo Pom and Duo Pom

What the day proved

The Royal Grand Open was the first test of how the RTA runs a competition: entries handled through the troupe leader dashboard, results published to dancers rather than pinned to a wall, and a running order that kept the floor moving. It gave the association a working template for the rest of the season.

Thank you to every dancer who competed, and to the troupe leaders, officials and volunteers who made the day run. A first event depends entirely on people willing to back something unproven.

The season continues

The Regional Championships follow on Sunday 6 September, returning to Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Centre in Bradford, with Majorette, Baton Twirling and Military Freestyle across solo, duo and team, covering every age group from Babies to Seniors. The season then closes with the National Championships on Sunday 25 October at the Barnsley Metrodome.