TICKETS for the 2015 World Pipe Band Championships being held at Glasgow Green went on sale last week.

Up to 8000 pipers and drummers are expected to compete in the event, which has been associated with the city for more than 60 years, which will be staged across two days on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August.

Tickets for the Grade 1 arena, which give ringside seats while the top bands compete for the title of World Champions, went on sale along with general admission tickets for both days.

Around 220 bands are expected to compete with entries traditionally coming from around the world for what is the pinnacle of pipe band competition.

The championships are organised by Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council and the RSPBA, with support from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and VisitScotland through its EventScotland team.

Councillor Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “The World Pipe Band Championships are a long established cornerstone of Glasgow’s cultural calendar which the city looks forward to hosting every year.

“Everywhere you go, bands are practising for the competition performances which they have spent months, and in some cases, years perfecting. There’s nothing quite like the sights and sounds of Glasgow Green during The Worlds.” Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, added: “The World Pipe Band Championships is a unique event which not only showcases Scottish culture but is a stage on which many of the most talented pipers and drummers come to shine. The Worlds is a great day out and an absolute must for anyone who loves to see and hear the talent, dedication and sheer hard work of musicians from all over the world as they test themselves competing for the ultimate prize in pipe band music.” The Worlds, as they are affectionately known, is a showcase for some of the finest pipe bands, pipers and drummers from around the world.

The event also features Highland dancing, a Highland games, a children’s zone and a dedicated food village.

Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival will also return once again to venues across Glasgow between August 10 – 16, bringing spectators from across the world to the city for the biggest festival of its kind in the world.

This year the festival will return to George Square, in the heart of the city, where pipers will be performing all day.

They will also be holding over 200 events across Glasgow, with venues as varied as the performers, from workshops to master classes, ceilidhs to concerts and street performances bringing the city to life.

Piping Live! will also be celebrating Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink with a new Pipers Market showcasing the very best of fresh, local, Scottish produce.