The Mid Staffs Koi Show '26 and Trade News
Another weekend, another koi show - although this one was a little different for me!
Rather than spending the whole weekend bouncing between the camera, magazine stand and show vats, I spent much of Saturday following the judging team around. It gave me a fascinating opportunity to see the judging process from a slightly different perspective, but I won't give too much away here, watch this space!
Saturday itself was perhaps a little quieter than everyone would have liked, but Sunday was a completely different story. The showground felt busy and there was a lovely atmosphere throughout the day, with plenty of people enjoying the koi, chatting around the vats and generally making the most of the weekend.
There were some excellent koi on display too, with quality spread nicely throughout the different sizes. Congratulations, of course, to everyone who took the plunge and exhibited their koi, whether they went home with an award or not.
Sunday also meant it was time for me to get to work photographing the winners and, for reasons known only to the koi themselves, they were an absolute pleasure! After some of the photographic challenges I've faced at shows this year, Mid Staffs currently takes the crown for the best-behaved koi of the 2026 UK show season. Whether the All England or The Junior Koi Show can knock them off the top spot remains to be seen...
A big congratulations to the Mid Staffs team, judges, volunteers and exhibitors for another thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
You'll find all of the major award winners and details below, and if you keep scrolling once you've finished admiring the koi, I've also included a few bits of trade news from some of our sponsors. Let's get to it!
Presenting...
The Major Awards for the 2026
Mid Staffs Koi Show!
Grand Champion
Owner: Ron Tyler
Ginrin Kohaku // 79cm // Isawa Nishikigoi Centre // Shirley Koi
Mature Champion
Dan Fletcher
Sanke // 75cm // Momotaro
Adult Champion
Owner: Ron Tyler
Kohaku // 63cm // Torazo // Shirley Koi
Young Champion
Owner: Paul Dolan
Kohaku // 48 // Matsue // Koi Carp
Baby Champion
Owner: Paul Dolan
Kohaku // 35cm // Momotaro // Niwa Nishikigoi
Jumbo Champion
Dan Fletcher
Chagoi // 83cm // Maruhiro // Select Nishikigoi
Best Doitsu
Owner: Dave Perry
Kumonryu // 57cm
Most Unusual
Owner: Nigel Pinfield
Kawarimono // Byer Koi Farm
Best Beginner
Owner: Kyle Howell
Best Vat (Chairman's Choice)
Owner: Rob & Jo Burgwin
Jimmy Morris Award
Owner: Adam Sandal
Trevor Clinton Wyre Award & Best Junior
Owner: Robert Dale
Owner: Grace and Abbey Gale
Major Winners
Awards and such...
If you would like to find out more regarding The Mid Staffs Koi Show:
Trade News
#Aqua Group - Special Event
Eiji Konishi Heads to Aqua Group Koi
Aqua Group Koi will welcome Eiji Konishi of Maruchiku Koi Farm for a special Koi Enthusiasts Weekend on 19th and 20th September 2026.
Running from 10am–4pm on both days, the event will give hobbyists an opportunity to spend time with Eiji and hear directly from a Japanese breeder about koi selection, bloodlines, development and breeding. A selection of koi sourced from Japan will also be available to view and purchase throughout the weekend.
Eiji will be joined by a number of familiar faces from across the UK koi industry, including The Brick Pond Specialist, Set in Stone Granite Creations, The Krafty Koi, OASE and Aqua Aeration. I'll also be heading down with World of Nishikigoi for the weekend.
Alongside the opportunity to meet the various businesses attending, there will be scheduled talks and demonstrations, products available to purchase and special offers across the two days.
The event itself is free to attend, although visitors are being asked to register for a free entry ticket in advance.
Koi Enthusiasts Weekend with Eiji Konishi
19th–20th September
Event: 10am–4pm
Shop: 9am–6pm
#Summer Sales
Summer Koi Sales Underway
With the UK season beginning to wind down, a number of koi dealers have launched summer sales, which could make now a particularly good time to keep an eye on dealer websites if you're looking for something new for the pond.
The offers vary considerably between dealers. Some are applying fixed reductions to their website prices, with discounts of up to 50% on listed koi, while others are taking a slightly different approach and inviting hobbyists to make an offer on fish that catch their eye.
It means there could be some very good buying opportunities out there, particularly if you've had your eye on a particular koi throughout the season. Have a browse, see what grabs your attention and, where offers are being invited, you never know what a dealer might be prepared to accept!
At the time of writing, the following dealers are among those running summer promotions:
Supreme Koi: https://supremekoi.com
Niwa Nishikigoi: https://www.niwanishikigoi.com/category/koi-sale/
As always, check the individual dealer's website or social media pages for the exact terms of their sale, as the offers and conditions vary.
#Avenue Fisheries - Grow-On
Some news from Pam and Steve...
"Another date for the diary, with this year's Growing On Competition taking place on 3rd and 4th October. More than 300 koi will be available to choose from across the weekend, with hobbyists able to purchase their chosen koi and leave them to grow on until Easter 2027, when we'll find out whose selection has made the most of its time!
A preview of some of the koi involved will be shared ahead of the event, although there's a catch; none will be available to purchase or reserve in advance, and no individual details will be released. If something catches your eye, you'll need to head along on the weekend and see what's available in person. Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available throughout the event, alongside Mark's BBQ for anyone feeling hungry."
There you go, you've heard the details from the gaffers, it takes place on the 3rd & 4th October - so stick it in the diary!
#Busy Building
Anthony and Stephen Grey have been steaming ahead with the construction of their new Fish House - Check out the video for more updates on the progress.
#25 Years...
A word from Evolution Aqua:
"In 2001, Evolution Aqua started with one simple idea: pond filtration could be better. 25 years later, we're proud to look back at how far we've come and, more importantly, the people who have helped shape Evolution Aqua along the way.
In our special 25 Year Anniversary Video, hear from members of our team and directors as they share an insight into our company culture, their departments, the work happening behind the scenes, and what the future holds for Evolution Aqua." Enjoy the video above.
#Pond Visit
A pond visit I wasn’t planning to film…
I originally headed to Matthew and Steph’s to judge the Mid Staffs Koi Keeping Society Grow & Show, but once I saw the pond, I couldn’t resist getting the cameras out.
A beautiful pond, mostly completed by Matthew himself, and a story that very nearly ended with him giving up koi altogether. Enjoy
#World of Nishikigoi
From World of Nishikigoi
It's been a pretty relentless summer here at World of Nishikigoi. Between koi shows, dealer events, photography work and everything else that's been happening around the hobby, I've spent an awful lot of time on the road, while keeping Volume Ten moving along in the background.
One of the nicest parts of this year's show season has been meeting so many new faces. I've spoken to plenty of people discovering World of Nishikigoi for the first time, alongside familiar readers who've supported the magazine for years. It's always lovely hearing people's thoughts on the latest volume and, thankfully, the feedback on Volume Nine continues to be fantastic.
Copies are still available for anyone who hasn't picked one up yet, along with previous volumes from the World of Nishikigoi archive, all available through the online shop.
Meanwhile, work on Volume Ten continues. Articles are being written, interviews are taking place and plenty of content is being gathered, some of which has come directly from the very busy summer we've just had.
There are still two UK koi shows to go before we can call the 2026 season complete, with the All England Koi Show on 26th & 27th September up next. I'll once again be there photographing the award-winning koi, and the World of Nishikigoi stand will be along for the ride too, with the full selection of available back issues.
It's been busy, occasionally chaotic, and there hasn't been much time to come up for air,but we're riding the waves!
See you at the All England!
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