Championship 2026
2026 International Championship

Event Rundown

A guide for students & parents

11 July 2026 MKCC, Milton Keynes

Everything you need for a smooth, safe and enjoyable event day.

Welcome

Welcome to Brain Up Abacus Championship 2026

Everything you need for a smooth, safe and happy day on our event day. Our processes are fine-tuned over years of experience to keep children, staff, parents and guests safe — please read this guide carefully before 11 July.

11 July 2026

Event day at a glance

🌅 Morning — Competition

Groups D & E

9:00 / 9:10Registration (D, then E)
9:25–10:00Competition
10:10Collection
10:30–11:30Popcorn cart

Groups A, B & C

10:00–10:10Registration (A, B, C)
10:25–11:00Competition
11:10Collection
11:30–12:30Popcorn cart

🎉 Afternoon — Presentation Ceremony

Registration

1:50pmDoors open
1:50–2:20pmRegister (all groups)
At receptionCollect wristband
2:00–2:25pmTake your seats

Ceremony

2:30pmCeremony begins
2:30–4:30pmPresentation Ceremony
4:30pmCeremony ends

Getting Here

Parking & arrival

MKCC building and main car park
  1. 1Follow the car park marshals' instructions on arrival.
  2. 2Main car park full? Use the overflow car park — about a 5 minute walk.

Overflow car park (Car Park 3)

When the MKCC main car park is full, please use Car Park 3 at MK College and the Leisure Centre, off the H7 (Chaffron Way) on Rainbow Drive.

  • Turn right out of MKCC.
  • Left onto the main road (H7).
  • First right onto Rainbow Drive.
  • Follow the road right towards the car parks.

Once parked, walk from the college down the redway to MKCC — approximately 5 minutes.

Overflow car park map and directions to Car Park 3
VenueMKCC, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG · Tel: 01908 553063

On Arrival

Arriving at the venue

D & E · 9:00am A, B & C · 10:00am
  • Enter via the Main Entrance — Brain Up staff will greet you.
  • Arriving early? Please wait outside — no waiting inside at reception.
  • Please be patient when queuing for registration.
  • No child should be left unaccompanied at any time.

Arrive On Time

Registration times by group

Please arrive at the venue at your scheduled time. Show the QR code on the back of the contestant pass to check in.

Early session

Group D9:00 am
Group E9:10 am

Later session

Group A10:00 am
Group B10:05 am
Group C10:10 am

Registration

Registration process

  1. 1Line up at the main entrance, then move to the queue area.
  2. 2Show the QR code on the badge at reception.
  3. 3Breakfast & a toilet run before the exam hall, please.
  4. 4Only candidates in the hall — younger siblings wait outside with parents.
  5. 5Bring only 2 pencils + an abacus; parents keep all other belongings.

During the Competition

Please keep it calm & quiet

D & E · 9:25–10:00 A, B & C · 10:25–11:00

👪 Wait calmly

Parents are welcome to wait in the waiting area.

🔇 Keep it quiet

Keep noise to a minimum so the children aren't disturbed.

📵 Phones

Turn phones off or to silent.

Pick-up

Collecting your child

D & E · 10:10–10:25 A, B & C · 11:10–11:25
  • Leave the waiting area 10 minutes before (by 10:00 / 11:00).
  • Go to the collection point — outside the Rear Exit.
  • Please line up by your child's group.
  • Children are handed over in group order.
Handover order
D→E | A→B→C

How collection works

  1. 1Registration — enter the lobby through the Main Entrance.
  2. 2Split up — students go to the Main Auditorium; parents go to the Waiting Area.
  3. 3Collection time — parents leave the Waiting Area via the Rear Exit to the Collection Point.
  4. 4Hand-over — staff bring the students out to the Collection Point.
Collection flow: Main Entrance, Waiting Area, Rear Exit to Collection Point

Safety First

Safe collection, every time

No hall pick-ups

No child is collected straight from the hall — this avoids unsafe congestion.

Queue outside

Parents queue at the designated area outside before collecting.

One-to-one handover

Our team hands each child to their parent. Lunch begins after collection.

Stay together

Please keep your child with you at all times once collected.

📞
Emergency onlyCall Ms Yeang
07485 794949

A Little Treat

Popcorn cart 🍿

Groups D & E10:30 – 11:30
Groups A, B & C11:30 – 12:30
PleaseLine up on the bikes parking area — not on the road.

Presentation Ceremony · 1:50–2:20pm

Afternoon check-in

  • Follow the signage & staff when queuing for entry.
  • Over 350 guests attend — your patience keeps it smooth.
  • Students should wear their candidate pass.
  • Have your QR code ready before you reach the entrance.
Parent ticketYour Parent Ticket QR code is issued via Eventbrite — please have it ready on your phone.
TipA ready QR code means a faster check-in for everyone behind you.
MKCC entrance and queue area for afternoon check-in

Entering · 1:50–2:20pm

Entering the auditorium

  1. 1Scan your Parent Ticket QR at the Main Entrance.
  2. 2Student check-in & wristband at the Registration Desk.
  3. 3Help your child put the wristband on.
  4. 4Enter through your team's door and follow staff for seating.

⬅️ Left Door

International Teams & Awardees

Right Door ➡️

UK Teams

TipA ready QR code means a faster check-in for everyone behind you.
Lobby and team entrance doors

Seating Plan

Presentation Ceremony seating plan

Presentation Ceremony seating plan
  • Please follow the seating plan and staff instructions.
  • International teams & awardees use the left entrance.
  • UK teams use the right entrance.
  • Students will sit with their parents during the Presentation Ceremony.

Key areas

Award Collection Assembly Area (left)
Certificates Collection (right)
UK Team Leaders
International Team Leaders
International Teams — Parents & Contestants
UK Teams — Parents & Contestants
Non-Contestant Awardees & Families

Presentation Ceremony · 2:30–4:30pm

Ceremony running order

  1. 1Teams Marching In
  2. 2Opening Ceremony
  3. 3National Awards Presentation
  4. 4Championship Prizes Presentation
  5. 5Group Photos & Collect Certificates

On the Day · Awards

Award presentation order

Awards are presented in two parts. Please follow the MC's announcements closely throughout.

Part 1

National Awards Presentation

Award order

  1. 1Great Progress Award
  2. 2Hard Worker Award
  3. 3Excellence Award
  4. 4Elite Ambassador Award
  5. 5Students of the Year 2026

What to do

  • Please follow the Award Order and listen carefully to the MC's announcements.
    • Great Progress Award & Hard Worker Award – proceed immediately when the National Awards Presentation begins.
    • Excellence Award, Elite Ambassador Award & Student of the Year Award – get ready and proceed to the Award Assembly Area while the first two award categories are being presented, following the MC's instructions.
  • Only students leave their seats — parents remain seated.
Part 2

Championship Prizes Presentation

Once the National Awards Presentation is complete, the Championship Prizes Presentation begins. Students are called forward by wristband colour.

What to do

  • When your child's wristband colour is called, they should go immediately to the Award Assembly Area on the left side of the auditorium.
  • Only students leave their seats — parents remain seated.
  • Please listen closely to every MC announcement — the next colour may be called while awards are still being presented on stage.
📣 Listen carefully for your call-up — missing it may mean missing the chance to receive your award on stage.

After receiving your award

  • Please follow staff instructions after receiving your award.
  • National Award certificates are collected from the Certificates Collection Point (right side) if instructed.
  • Competition Participation Certificates will be distributed by your tutors during the Group Photo Session.
  • Please keep the walkways clear at all times.

Important Reminders

Please remember

  • Please remain seated unless directed by event staff.
  • Please keep walkways and entrances clear.
  • Please be patient and supportive throughout the ceremony.
  • Please supervise your child throughout the event.
  • Please follow all event staff and MC instructions.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where should we queue?
Please follow the signage and event staff instructions at the Main Entrance.
When should my child go to the Assembly Area?
For national awards, as soon as the MC announces the start of the National Awards Presentation. For the Championship Prizes Presentation, when their wristband colour is called. Only students leave their seats — parents remain seated.
Will the next colour be called before the current one finishes?
Yes. The next wristband colour may be announced while awards are still being presented on stage, so please listen carefully to the MC.
What happens if we miss the call-up?
If a student misses their call-up, they may miss the opportunity to receive their award on stage. Their award will instead be presented to them off stage after the stage presentation has finished. Please listen carefully to all MC announcements to avoid missing your call-up.
Where should students sit?
Students will sit with their parents in the allocated seating area and should follow staff instructions.
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