Liverpool City Region schools can attend the British Gymnastics Championships for free

For a second consecutive year, Liverpool School Sports Partnership (LSSP) has partnered with British Gymnastics to offer free entry and travel to its championships for all schools in the Liverpool City Region (LCR).

Returning to the M&S Bank Arena next month, the British Gymnastics Championships will see Olympic, World and European medallists, go head-to-head over four days in a range of events, from all-around and apparatus finals to age group competitions that showcase the country’s rising stars within the sport.

As the city’s school sports partnership provider, LSSP is working with British Gymnastics to encourage children and young people within its extensive network of schools to participate in the sport.

As well as offering LCR schools complimentary entry to sessions taking place on the opening two days of the championships [Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March 2026], LSSP, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, has organised free travel to the event for those choosing to travel via public transport with its long-standing partner, Arriva, Stagecoach, or Merseyrail.

LSSP is on a mission to ensure equal access to sport and physical activity opportunities by breaking down the barriers associated with participation, and earlier this year announced a transformative free transport initiative with Arriva.

Jimmy McGinn, joint CEO of Liverpool School Sports Partnership, said:

“We are delighted to be able to extend this exclusive invitation to schools across the Liverpool City Region for another year. It’s brilliant to be partnering once again with British Gymnastics, Arriva, Stagecoach, Merseytravel and Liverpool City Council’s events team to give young people in our city the opportunity to watch this incredible sport.

“Last year, over 1,800 children had an unforgettable experience watching the championships live in action. The energy in the arena was palpable, with students and staff alike transfixed by the talent and athleticism on display. With the competition looking fierce for 2026, it is proving to be an event not to be missed!”

PE lead at St Anne’s Stanley Primary School, Miss Karen Quinn, who accompanied pupils to the championships last year, said:

“We’re delighted to hear that LSSP has partnered with British Gymnastics for another year. We took our pupils to the event in 2025 and we all, teachers included, had a brilliant time. Our pupils were amazed by the talented gymnasts and have since, shown an increased interest in the sport. 

“We also utilised the free bus tickets, travelling from Old Swan to the arena, and it could not have been easier. It provided a great opportunity for our pupils to become familiar with public transport and the whole day, from start to finish, ran smoothly. We can’t wait to do it all again this year!”

Alongside the opportunity to attend the free event, LSSP will be hosting its Rise Gymnastics Competition to give pupils the chance to demonstrate their own skills, having watched the professionals in action.

The LSSP Rise Gymnastics Competition uses a positive scoring system where gymnasts are awarded points, instead of given deductions, and is the official format for the School Games, created in partnership with British Gymnastics.

In addition to this, LSSP is offering schools the chance to upskill a member of staff through its continuing professional development (CPD) programme which will see a qualified coach from British Gymnastics deliver training designed to boost teachers’ confidence in delivering high-quality gymnastics lessons to pupils and students.

Joint CEO of Liverpool School Sports Partnership, Adella Dando, added:

“As an important foundation sport that builds skills for life in our young people, it’s encouraging to see the growing engagement and popularity of gymnastics.

“Events like the British Gymnastics Championships inspire the next generation and we’re proud to play our part in the event for another year, opening more doors for children and young people to lead happy, healthy and active lifestyles.”

To take advantage of LSSP’s exclusive invitation to the British Gymnastics Championships, as well as its own competition and CPD, schools can email admin@lssp.co.uk.

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