The Great British Shooting Show, which is being held 13-15 February at the NEC Birmingham, has become such a fixture in the shooting calendar that it’s easy to forget just how far this event has travelled. What began as a modest outdoor gathering has evolved into the UK’s premier shooting exhibition, and behind the scenes there are fascinating stories, practical tips and surprising facts that even regular attendees might not know.
The journey to the NEC
Founded by the late John Bertrand in 2008, the inaugural show took place in 2009 in Newark, where exhibitors and visitors alike braved February weather in marquees that offered minimal protection from the elements. It was small, it was cold, and it was undeniably popular. The event soon outgrew its Newark field and relocated to NAEC Stoneleigh, offering international brands a reputable venue whilst providing visitors with heated halls. In 2014, John Allison of FRL Media purchased the show and continued nurturing its growth. By 2018, the show required more space, better connectivity and superior logistics. The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham became its new home, cementing the show’s status as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of shooting events. In 2026, Simon and Selena Barr of Time Well Spent Group acquired it, promising continued growth whilst maintaining the quality and community spirit that made it successful.
The group booking hack
Booking 10 or more tickets unlocks substantial savings. Instead of paying £31.80 per person in advance, group bookings drop to £26.80 each. For a club of 20 members, that’s a £100 saving. Head to shootingshow.co.uk, select group tickets, and coordinate your club members. Rifle clubs, airgun clubs, clay grounds and game shooting syndicates should all be taking advantage of this offer.
The launchpad for innovation
The Great British Shooting Show has established itself as the venue of choice for manufacturers launching new products. This year will feature Vector Optics’ Veyron Gen2 with LaREE HD glass, the upgraded Tauron Compact HD moving to 34mm, and AGT’s Manul air pistols in new Cerakote finishes. A mysterious new EPIC air rifle is also making its debut. Baleta Knives will unveil ‘The Scrope’. Being present for these launches means making informed purchasing decisions based on hands-on experience rather than internet speculation.
More space to explore
This year, even more exhibitors have increased their stand sizes, giving visitors more room to explore products and engage with professionals. It’s a virtuous cycle: as the show grows, exhibitors invest more heavily, which creates a better experience for visitors.
Trade and public under one roof
Unlike some industry events with trade-only days, the Great British Shooting Show welcomes everyone throughout its three-day run. Whether you’re a dealer, manufacturer’s representative, or enthusiast, you’re equally welcome. A member of the public can discuss a product with both the retailer and potentially the manufacturer, all in the same conversation. With numerous stands being fully retail-ready, the show functions as an enormous shooting superstore.
Parking and showguide
Car parking and a showguide are included in your ticket. Simply follow the signage, park up, and head to the halls. Better yet, take advantage of the free shuttle bus service running throughout the day.
The comparison opportunity
There’s still no substitute for physically comparing products side by side. The show is one of very few places where you can shoulder multiple rifles or shotguns from different manufacturers within minutes, compare optics under the same lighting, and assess build quality with your own hands. This extends beyond firearms to clothing, hearing protection and accessories. It’s the antidote to buyer’s remorse.
Plan for more than a day
First-time visitors often underestimate how much time is needed to visit. The Great British Shooting Show is enormous, with hundreds of stands and thousands of products across multiple halls. Budget at least a full day. Many seasoned visitors arrive when doors open and don’t leave until closing, and even then feel they haven’t seen everything. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bag for goodies.
Britain’s best-connected venue
The NEC Birmingham sits at the heart of the UK’s motorway infrastructure, accessible to 75% of the British population within a three-hour drive. Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International train station sit on the doorstep. You can disembark from a plane or train and be in the halls within minutes. Megabus and National Express services run directly to the NEC daily, offering affordable travel from across the country.
All types of shooters welcome
There’s no other UK event where all major manufacturers from all shooting disciplines gather under one roof. From bespoke British shotguns to entry-level airguns, from precision rifles to clay equipment, everything exists in one place for three days. This concentration creates opportunities for conversations and comparisons that wouldn’t happen elsewhere.
Where disciplines overlap
The shooting world often operates in silos. The show breaks down these barriers. You’ll find clay shooters browsing game guns, pest controllers comparing notes with competition airgunners, and newcomers discovering that the step between disciplines is more natural than they imagined. This cross-pollination is healthy for shooting sports as a whole.
The shooter’s superstore
Many visitors arrive with a specific shopping list and leave with what they came for, plus several items they didn’t know they needed. The retail aspect transforms the NEC into Britain’s largest shooting shop for three days, with everything available for immediate purchase, often with show-exclusive pricing.
Valentine’s weekend shooting
The show falls on Valentine’s weekend, which makes it either the perfect date or grounds for divorce, depending on your partner’s enthusiasm for firearms. Who needs overpriced restaurants and wilting roses when you can spend 14 February comparing shotguns and arguing over which thermal scope offers better value?
Senior figures on the stands
It’s surprisingly common to encounter senior brand figures actually working on stands during the show. CEOs, chief designers and company founders often attend, making themselves available to discuss products, share insights and gather feedback directly from users.
Thousands of brands represented
The exhibitor count tells only part of the story. Each exhibitor often represents multiple brands. Walk through the halls and you’ll find products from manufacturers across Europe, North America, Asia and beyond.
Daily competitions and giveaways
Various exhibitors run competitions throughout the show. Castbullets will operate a daily “guess the bullets in the jar” competition with ammunition as prizes. Vector Air will run a tablet-based entry system with an EPIC TWO KLiNSKY air rifle as the main prize.
The Great British Shooting Awards results
Friday 13 February marks the announcement of the Great British Shooting Awards winners. This year saw record-breaking participation with over 150,000 votes cast across 17 categories. Results will be revealed via @gbsawards on Instagram and Facebook, plus ShootingUK.co.uk.
Custom services while you wait
Several exhibitors offer services completed during your visit. Custom in-ear hearing protection can be moulded and fitted while you wait, meaning you leave with perfectly fitted, bespoke hearing protection ready to use. Some gunsmiths and stock fitters can perform basic services on the spot.
International flavour, British heart
While the show has become genuinely international in its exhibitor base and visitor demographic, it remains firmly rooted in British shooting tradition. The atmosphere and culture feel distinctly British, even as products and people from across the globe converge on Birmingham.
Adult one-day tickets cost £31.80 in advance or £35 on the day. Group bookings of 10 or more reduce tickets to £26.80 each when booked in advance.
Visit: shootingshow.co.uk
