BASC celebrates a standout Game Fair 2026

BASC has wrapped up a packed three days at the 68th instalment of The Game Fair, welcoming members to its main stand and activity areas across Ragley Hall.

As the main sponsor of The Game Fair, our teams welcomed 42,378 members who attended using complimentary BASC entry. They were among 125,000 people who visited the show this year overall.

High Court victory takes centre stage

BASC’s recent High Court victory against Natural England was one of the weekend’s key talking points. The judgment found that Natural England had acted unlawfully in its approach to licensing gamebird releases and expressed that public bodies must exercise their powers within the limits set by Parliament.

Chief executive Ian Bell and chairman Eoghan Cameron appeared in the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre to discuss the judgment and what happens next.

BASC also welcomed 20 MPs and peers, including Labour deputy chief whip Mark Tami MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Defra Victoria Atkins MP, creating further opportunities to discuss the ruling and other issues affecting shooting.

The inaugural Christopher Graffius Memorial Debate, held on Friday, asked what the new Prime Minister must do to win back rural communities. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP – chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation – and Orlando Wind-Cowie, BASC’s relationship manager with the Labour Party, joined the debate. It was hosted by Fieldsports Channel’s Charlie Jacoby.

More than 1,200 shooting experiences

BASC’s shotgun coaches delivered 443 lessons, including 48 sessions for MPs and other VIPs. The Shoot Line was kindly sponsored by Browning, alongside Eley and Promatic.

A further 792 people took part on the redesigned BASC Airgun Line. BASC partnered with BSA and Tom’s Targets to deliver the new layout, with The Hill Air Pump kindly supporting our presence for airgun enthusiasts.

Together, the two lines delivered 1,235 shooting experiences over the three days.

The BASC Dome makes its debut

New for 2026, The BASC Dome gave visitors a closer look at wild food and practical countryside skills.

Its programme included deer butchery and gamebird preparation, wildfowl calls and other talks from our experts on a variety of subjects.

Visitors were also treated to game canapes for elevenses, with plenty of opportunity to interact with hosts and ask questions the issues affecting shooting.

Wild food draws the crowds

The BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre brought some of the country’s best-known chefs to Ragley Hall again this year.

Marco Pierre White prepared rosemary risotto with rabbit offal ragu. Dick and Angel Strawbridge and family joined us on the final day to cook rabbit in a variety of ways.

Rachel Green and BASC’s Terry Behan opened Sunday’s programme with a McPheasant Burger. And Henry Cole and Guy Willison tried their hands at a peanut butter pheasant curry.

The theatre was kindly sponsored by Global Knives and Lincolnshire Game.

Women’s stories in the spotlight

BASC Women in Shooting‘s annual Game Fair event provided the platform for the launch of a new campaign inviting women to share how they became involved in shooting.

“Your story matters” celebrates the different routes into shooting available and seeks to encourage more women to take part.

The campaign launch was part of the packed BASC Women in Shooting reception on Saturday, where Megan Borthwick received the 2026 BASC Women in Shooting Award.

Find out more about the new Women in Shooting campaign.

Gundogs put through their paces

Visitors came in droved to take on BASC’s Have-A-Go Scurries throughout the weekend.

The challenges tested speed and retrieving ability, with events suitable for experienced gundogs and those trying a scurry for the first time. You can recount the winners here.

The scurries were sponsored by Skinner’s and Sporting Saint.

Find out more about BASC gundog scurries and training events.

Outstanding contributions recognised

Seven people were recognised during BASC’s annual honours and awards ceremony on Saturday.

Among them was the late Christopher Graffius, BASC’s former executive director of communications and public affairs of more than two decades.

His daughters, Catriona and Elizabeth, accepted the Prince Philip Distinguished Service Award in his memory.

Find out more about the 2026 BASC honours and awards recipients.

See you next year!

Ian Bell, chief executive of BASC, said: “This year’s Game Fair was another outstanding celebration of the countryside, showcasing the passion and commitment of everyone involved in shooting and conservation.

“BASC was pleased to welcome tens of thousands of members and visitors to the show, with our complimentary admission offer helping more people enjoy the event and discover the many attractions, exhibitors and organisations on site.

“It was a pleasure to meet so many members, celebrate our legal victory over Natural England and engage with people who care deeply about the future of our shared way of life.”

The Game Fair will return from 23-25 July 2027. Sign up for updates and details of when next year’s BASC members’ complimentary tickets will become available.