Chester to host the World Cup of Town Criers as international hopefuls prepare to do battle

While the world watches the FIFA World Cup, Chester is gearing up to host its own global tournament, and this one comes with bells on.

Twenty-five town criers from across the globe will descend on the city this September for the World Town Crier Tournament, organisers Marketing Cheshire have confirmed.

The details were announced, fittingly, by Chester Town Crier David Mitchell. "This event will be loud, will be colourful, it will be eccentric, and it will be free," he declared.

Competitors spanning England, the Channel Islands, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, the United States and Australia will go head-to-head from 21–26 September, with each crier judged across three rounds on a different theme.

Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: "The World Town Crier Tournament is exactly the kind of event that puts Chester on the map. Twenty-five competitors from across the globe, free to watch, right in the heart of the city - it doesn't get much better than that. Chester is a world-class destination, and this tournament is another chance to show exactly why."

The opening round features a hometown cry, with competitors showcasing where they come from. Judging criteria cover vocal proficiency, confidence and bearing, content, and audience engagement. Rounds take place at Town Hall Square (Tuesday 22 September, 11am), Eastgate Square (Thursday 24 September, 11am) and Exchange Square (Saturday 26 September, 11am).

Special awards include Best Dressed Crier, Best Dressed Consort, Best Dressed Couple and Best Ambassador. A daily winner will be selected throughout the week, with the overall champion crowned on the final day.

Marketing Cheshire secured a grant from Airbnb's Best of British Fund to stage the event, its first World Town Crier Tournament since 2014, to help showcase the city to a national and international audience.

Chester is one of Britain's most complete Roman cities, encircled by ancient walls that have stood for nearly 2,000 years and home to a cathedral, a Roman amphitheatre and the iconic medieval Rows, a unique two-tiered shopping gallery found nowhere else in the world.

A thriving independent food and drink scene sits alongside acclaimed restaurants, riverside bars and Storyhouse, the city's award-winning cultural venue. Chester Zoo, one of the UK's most visited attractions, recently opened The Reserve, a collection of luxury safari lodges on site, while world-class horse racing at the world’s oldest working racecourse adds to a year-round events calendar that draws visitors from across the UK and beyond.

Hotels and hospitality businesses across Chester and Cheshire are working with Marketing Cheshire to provide an exceptional welcome and setting for the tournament.

Luke Impett, Public Affairs Lead for Airbnb UK, said: "Britain's living traditions are part of what makes it such an extraordinary place to explore — and the World Town Crier Tournament is a perfect example. This is one of Britain's most distinctive customs, returning to Chester after more than a decade and welcoming competitors from across the globe. Through the Best of British Fund, we're proud to back Marketing Cheshire in bringing this event back to life. In 2025, Airbnb guests spent £3.2 billion in local restaurants, pubs, cafes and attractions across the UK — events like this are exactly what draws visitors in and keeps them spending locally. We hope the Tournament gives even more people a reason to discover everything Chester has to offer."

Full details of all confirmed participants, including their countries and backgrounds, plus a day-by-day breakdown of the competition, are available on Visit Cheshire's dedicated World Town Crier Tournament page.

www.towncriertournament.com