British Bouldering Championships 2023

We’re psyched, as we announce that the 2023 British Bouldering Championships is back!

The event will again take place on Devonshire Green, Sheffield, as part of the Cliffhanger Festival.

Date: 1st & 2nd July 2023

Location: Devonshire Green, Sheffield, S3 7SF

Categories: Senior Women & Senior Men

Format: Qualification is 5 on 5 off; where each competitor will face a course of 5 blocs, with only 5 minutes for each boulder to unlock the sequence of the boulder in the lowest number of attempts.

Different problems are set for men and women. The Boulder ranking is decided by the number of problems solved. The top 20 competitors who solve the most problem in the least number of attempts, qualify for the Semi-Finals.

There is one zone hold per problem, set at approximately halfway.

The Boulder ranking is based on the following criteria:

  1. Number of tops reached.

  2. Number of zone holds reached.

  3. Number of attempts to top.

  4. Number of attempts to zone.

The problems are reset between the Qualification, Semi-finals, and the Final.

Saturday 1st July     – Qualification for all categories

Qualifications – The climbers attempt to flash the problems, they will be able to view the problems by either watching in the crowd or via the demonstration videos.

Sunday 2nd July      – Semi-Finals and Finals

Semi-finals – The climbers observe the problems for the first time during their first attempt (no observation prior to the round).

Finals – The competitors can preview the boulder problems during a collective observation time (2 minutes per Boulder) but cannot attempt the problems.

Get Involved

Fancy a taste of what it’s like to compete in an international style competition?

Want to work out beta and compare attempts with the UK’s best boulderers?

If this sounds like you, then get yourself signed up here.

  • Entries open Tuesday 30th May at 8am

  • Entries close Monday 26th June at 12pm (Midday)

Be quick, as we expect this event to sell out very quickly

Please note the following conditions:

  • Entrants must be born 2008 or earlier (turning 16 on the year of the competition)

  • Maximum of 80 competitors per category (Men & Women)

All competitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by one parent/guardian only, but loco parentis can be used where required. 

Late entries will not be accepted.

Entries cannot be exchanged or swapped.

To enter you must complete our online booking form, with successful payment, by the entry deadline. Forms without payment will NOT be accepted.

All competitors MUST be a current member of the BMC to enter. Join here.

If you haven’t used the online booking system before, then you will need to create an account to log in.

With bouldering becoming so popular, we have increased the maximum number of competitors. The event will see up to 80 men and 80 women entering, as the nation’s strongest male and female climbers battle it out on the purpose-built bouldering wall to be crowned the British Bouldering Champions of 2023.

Not only will we see future hopefuls, but there’ll also be a strong representation from our GB Climbing athletes as they take the opportunity to test their skills

📸 Here’s a snapshot of last year:

Image credit: Sam Pratt | GB Climbing

Spectating is FREE and competition entries open on 30 May at 8:00am.

For all the fans of exhilarating competitions, spectating the event is free to attend, so make sure you get on down to help cheer everyone to the top of the wall. The atmosphere is always electric, and you’ll be sure to leave a little hoarse.

“The huge mix of abilities, from people having fun to the top-level athlete, will make for fantastic qualification rounds”

Hundreds of climbing enthusiasts are expected to turn out for the finals of the bouldering championship, which culminates on the Sunday evening.  The competition is accompanied by a festival atmosphere, with have-a-go climbing walls as well as street food and bars.

 If you can’t make it, don’t worry, you can watch all the action LIVE on our YouTube channel.

📺 Watch last year’s finals:

BMC Admin