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Great British Koi Show

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The Great British Koi Show (GBKS) is an annual open koi show held at Newark Showground in Coddington, Newark, England, founded by the Yorkshire Section of the British Koi Keepers’ Society (BKKS)[1][2].
The Great British Koi Show is held each year at Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Coddington, Newark[6][3]. It began as the Yorkshire Section Koi Club’s first open show, having previously run as a closed show for members at a hotel in Mexborough before moving to an open format at Newark[1][2].The inaugural Great British Koi Show took place on 27th and 28th August 2022 at Newark Showground[1][5], with 219 koi entered in that first event, held across two hired halls in the Crocker complex[2]. The show continues to be listed among the UK’s annual open koi shows by Koi Judges UK, the organization that succeeded the BKKS Judging Sub-Committee in coordinating UK show judging[4][7].

History and origins

The show originated from the Yorkshire Section Koi Club (referred to in some listings as the Great British Koi Club), which had staged an annual closed show for its members at the Pastures Hotel in Mexborough for several years[1][2]. When that venue was no longer available, the club decided to hold an open show at Newark Showground instead, hiring two halls in the venue’s Crocker complex[2]. The club appointed James Colley as Show Chairman for the first event, crediting him with securing sponsorship and dealer attendance and promoting the new show[2].The first Great British Koi Show was held on 27th and 28th August 2022[1][5], drawing a total of 219 koi entries[2]. Photographs from the event were credited to Liam Bess of World of Nishikigoi[2].

Venue and recent dates

The show is held at Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Coddington, Newark, NG24 2NY, a venue used for multiple UK koi shows[3][4]. According to a Midland Koi Association events listing, the 2025 edition of the Great British Koi Show ran from 23rd to 24th August 2025, Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 15:00, with admission listed at £7.50 and free entry for children under 12[3].The same listing source indicates the 2026 Great British Koi Show was scheduled for Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August 2026, with hours of 10:00am to 5:00pm on the Saturday and 10:00am to 3:00pm on the Sunday[6]. Koi Judges UK also lists the 2026 Great British Koi Show as taking place on 29 and 30 August at Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Coddington, Newark NG24 2NY[4].

Judging and organization

Koi Judges UK, described as the former BKKS Judging Sub-Committee and now operating independently of the BKKS as of 2026, deploys judges to UK koi shows including the Great British Koi Show[4][7]. Judges for UK shows can be booked through Koi Judges UK’s “Book your Judges” feature[4]. Those overseeing judging describe UK koi shows generally, including shows such as this one, as volunteer-run events held from June through October, featuring exhibitions of koi-keeping expertise supported by elements of the koi trade selling fish, food and dry goods[7].The Great British Koi Show is one of several annual open koi shows listed by Koi Judges UK alongside other UK events such as the National KOI Show at the Heart of England Conference & Event Centre, the Crouch Valley Open Show, the Scottish Koi Show, the North of England Koi Show, the Mid Staffs Koi Show and the All England Koi Show[4]. It is also listed in the same calendar as overseas events attended by UK-affiliated judges, including the Belgian ZNA Koi Show and the ZNA Holland Koi Show[4]. For a broader view of the UK show circuit, see the overview of koi shows in the UK and the separate entry for the National Koi Show (UK).

Common questions

Where is the Great British Koi Show held?
It is held at Newark Showground, Lincoln Road, Coddington, Newark, NG24 2NY[3][4].
Who organizes the Great British Koi Show?
It was founded by the Yorkshire Section Koi Club (also referred to as the Great British Koi Club), which previously ran a closed show in Mexborough before launching the open show at Newark[1][2].
When did the Great British Koi Show start?
The first Great British Koi Show was held on 27 and 28 August 2022[1][5].
How many koi were entered in the first Great British Koi Show?
A total of 219 koi were entered at the inaugural 2022 show[2].
Who judges the Great British Koi Show?
Judges are organized and deployed by Koi Judges UK, formerly the BKKS Judging Sub-Committee, which now operates independently of the BKKS[4][7].

References

  1. ^ Yorkshire Section Koi Club (Koi Net, issue 63). koinet.co.uk. koinet.co.uk/koi-net/issue-63/files/basic-html/page90.html. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ The Great British Koi Show 2022 (Koi Net, issue 63). koinet.co.uk. koinet.co.uk/koi-net/issue-63/files/basic-html/page10.html. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ The Great British Koi Show 2025 (Midland Koi Association events listing). midlandkoi.co.uk. midlandkoi.co.uk/event/the-great-british-koi-show-2024/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ Koi Shows – Koi Judges UK | The former BKKS JSC. Koi Judges UK. koijudges.uk/koi-shows/. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ The Great British Koi Show – The Great British Koi Club. ysbkks.uk. ysbkks.uk/event/the-great-british-koi-show/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ The Great British Koi Show 2026 - Midland Koi Association. midlandkoi.co.uk. midlandkoi.co.uk/event/the-great-british-koi-show-2026/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ Happy New Year – 2026. – Koi Judges UK | The former BKKS JSC. Koi Judges UK. koijudges.uk/happy-new-year-2026/. Retrieved November 2026.