Skip to content

National Koi Show (UK)

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The National Koi Show is an annual koi competition held in the United Kingdom at the Heart of England Conference & Event Centre in Fillongley, Coventry, featuring a Grand Champion award and other major prizes judged on koi quality[1].
The National Koi Show is described by its organizers as showcasing “the UK's finest koi,” held each year at the Heart of England Conference & Event Centre, Meriden Road, Fillongley, Coventry[1]. The 2026 edition was billed as the 47th National Koi Show, indicating a long-running event history, though the sources consulted do not state a founding year[1].The show has historically been associated with the British Koi-Keepers Society (BKKS), which closed after 50 years of operation but noted its members' support of the National Koi Show, welcoming them as “Show Patrons” going forward[6]. Judging and organizational support in 2026 was provided through Koi Judges UK, formerly the BKKS Judging Standards Committee (JSC), which became independent of the BKKS that year[2][5].

Format and schedule

The National Koi Show runs over a weekend, with Friday reserved for exhibitors to bench their koi, the show open to the public on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.[1]. According to the organizers, Saturday and Sunday allow visitors to view trade stands, catch up with other hobbyists, and watch the Grand Champion and Shinkokai Champion announced alongside the winning vat number, followed by an awards presentation at the show entrance[1]. Exhibitors are then asked to clear the showground promptly so prize-winning koi can be packed up[1].According to Koi Judges UK's 2026 show calendar, the National Koi Show was scheduled for 27 and 28 June at the Heart of England Conference & Event Centre, Fillongley[2]. The same source lists dates for 2027, giving 29 and 30 May for what it terms the “UK National KOI Show”[2].

Awards and judging

The National Koi Show presents a Grand Champion award alongside Life Stage, Special and Best in Class awards[1]. A separate Shinkokai Award is given “on quality alone, regardless of size or variety,” intended to recognize a koi believed to be competitive at a Japanese level, and is awarded by UK Shinkokai members[1].For the 2026 show, the organizers named the Grand Champion as a Sanke (see Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke)), measuring 82 cm, aged 4, bred by Taniguchi Koi Farm, sold through the dealer Yume Koi Japan, and owned by Andy “Chip” Kawalsingh[1].The show's governing document is the National Koi Show Association Constitution, alongside Exhibiting Terms and Conditions provided to all exhibitors covering exhibitor policy[3].

Organization and recent history

The British Koi-Keepers Society, which had operated for 50 years, closed but stated it would continue to support the National Koi Show and invited its former members to attend as Show Patrons[6]. The BKKS also indicated a dedicated National Koi Show website would launch separately[6].Judging at UK shows, including the National Koi Show, is coordinated by Koi Judges UK, described as “the former BKKS JSC,” which became an independent organization in 2026 after previously operating within the BKKS structure[4][5]. According to Koi Judges UK, 2026 marked “a new chapter” for UK koi shows, with the organization aiming to “keep the hobby alive and in the public eye” following independence from the BKKS[2].

Admission and visitor information

The show accepts cash and major debit or credit cards[1].Koi Judges UK's 2026 calendar lists several other UK shows in which its members were deployed as judges, including the Crouch Valley Open Show, the Scottish Koi Show, the North of England Koi Show, the Great British Koi Show, the Mid Staffs Koi Show, the All England Koi Show, and the Birmingham & West Midlands Koi Society Young Koi Show, in addition to continental events such as the Belgian ZNA Koi Show and the European Koi Show[2]. The Great British Koi Show itself originated from an annual members' show staged by the Yorkshire Section Koi Club, which was first opened to koi keepers from across the UK on 27–28 August 2022 at Newark Showground[7].

Common questions

Where is the National Koi Show held?
It takes place at the Heart of England Conference & Event Centre, Meriden Road, Fillongley, Coventry, CV7 8DX[1].
What awards are given at the National Koi Show?
The show presents a Grand Champion award, Life Stage, Special and Best in Class awards, plus a separate Shinkokai Award judged on quality alone by UK Shinkokai members[1].
Is the National Koi Show still run by the BKKS?
The British Koi-Keepers Society closed after 50 years but said it would continue to support the show and welcomed its former members as Show Patrons[6]. Judging is now coordinated by Koi Judges UK, operating independently of the BKKS since 2026[5].
Who won the Grand Champion award at the 2026 National Koi Show?
The 2026 Grand Champion was a Sanke measuring 82 cm, aged 4, bred by Taniguchi Koi Farm and owned by Andy 'Chip' Kawalsingh[1].

References

  1. ^ The National Koi Show | Where the UK's Finest Koi Compete. National Koi Show. nationalkoishow.co.uk/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ Koi Shows – Koi Judges UK | The former BKKS JSC. Koi Judges UK. koijudges.uk/koi-shows/. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ Rules & Constitutions | The National Koi Show. National Koi Show. nationalkoishow.co.uk/rules-and-constitutions/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ Koi Judges UK | The former BKKS JSC. Koi Judges UK. koijudges.uk/. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ Happy New Year – 2026. – Koi Judges UK | The former BKKS JSC. Koi Judges UK. koijudges.uk/happy-new-year-2026/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ British Koi-Keepers Society (home page notice). bkks.co.uk. bkks.co.uk/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ 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.