The Great British Koi Show '26

Sep 8

3 min read

Another show, another set of photographs, and with the UK show season seemingly disappearing at a frightening rate, it's time for the Great British Koi Show!

There were certainly encouraging signs before the doors had even opened on Saturday, with visitors queuing outside waiting to get in. That translated into a very healthy Saturday through the gate and, perhaps more importantly for those supporting the event commercially, plenty of people who had arrived ready to spend some money.

Speaking to dealers and trade stands throughout the day, the general feeling seemed to be that Saturday had been a good one. Koi were being bagged and boxed, products were changing hands and there appeared to be a healthy amount of business being done around the hall.

It perhaps highlights something that's easily forgotten when we talk about show attendance. A big number through the gate looks fantastic and is great for the show organisers, but from a trader's perspective, 1,000 people walking past your stand aren't necessarily worth more than 500 who have come intending to buy something. The latter is impossible for any show committee to guarantee (or for a dealer to predict when deciding whether to attend), but this particular Saturday certainly seemed to bring plenty of willing customers through the doors.

Sunday was noticeably quieter, as Sundays at koi shows so often seem to be, but the atmosphere remained relaxed and friendly. I managed to catch up with plenty of hobbyists over the course of the weekend, and there seemed to be a lot of people simply enjoying being there: talking koi, catching up with familiar faces and, most importantly, spending plenty of time around the vats looking at the fish on display.

As ever, an enormous amount of work goes into putting a show like this together long before any of us walk through the doors on Saturday morning. I think the show team put in a sterling effort, and I'm sure it won't be long before they're discussing what worked, what didn't and what can be improved for next year.

Constructive feedback (good and bad) is valuable to any show committee, so if you attended the Great British and have thoughts you'd like to share, why not contact the club directly? Shows can only evolve if the people organising them know what their visitors, exhibitors and traders actually think. Congratulations to everyone involved - now, let's get to the award winners!

Presenting...

The Major Awards for the

Great British Koi Show 2026!

Grand Champion

Owner: Carl Morrison

Sanke // 84cm // Sakai Fish Farm // Queni Koi

Superior Champion - Great British Koi Show 2026

Supreme Champion

Owner: Noman Hansrot

Showa // 83cm // Momotaro // Select Nishikigoi

Aka matsuba - Great British Koi Show 2025

Best Non Go Sanke

Owner: Stuart Hay

Tancho Kohaku // 83cm // Okawa // Koi Masters

Mature Champion

Owner: Stuart Hay

Kohaku // 73cm // Matsue

Adult Champion

Owner: Martyn Underwood

Kohaku // 64cm // Saito // Select Nishikigoi

Young Champion

Owner: Paul Cunningham

Kohaku // 55cm // Yoshino // Perfect Aquatics

Junior Champion

Owner: Dave and Sam Newton

Kohaku // Dainichi // Shosha Koi

Baby Champion

Owner: Simon Ellis

Ginrin Kohaku // Maruyama // Shosha Koi

World of Nishikigoi - Koi Magazine - Jumbo Koi

Jumbo Champion

Owner: Adam Webber

Kohaku // 91cm // Sakai Fish Farm // Select Nishikigoi

Doitsu Kujaku - Koi Magazine - World of Nishikigoi

Best Doitsu

Owner: Dan & Jasmine Spencer

Doitsu Kujaku // Oofuchi // Avenue Fisheries

Special Variety Award

Owner: Adam Webber

Tancho Goshiki // 82cm // Hiroi // Sunny Bank Koi

FD Koi Food Award

Owner: Carl Morrison

Ginrin Ki Matsuba // Maruhiro // Quality Nishikigoi

Yorkshire Friendship Award

Owner: Paul Prentice

Ginrin Tancho Showa // Sakuma // Koi Water Garden Ltd

#Koi for Sale

I’ve been busy hunting through the koi for sale pages on various websites to show a selection of what’s currently available at World of Nishikigoi supporters. There’s something for everyone here.

Enlarge the image to see which dealer stocks the koi - and be quick getting to their websites!