Category: News
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For the third year, the Association of British Climbing Walls is continuing to promote diversity within the climbing industry by offering a number of free tickets to the ABC Conference to those who are part of the global majority and disabled people.
The scheme is open to people of the global majority and disabled people who work or are aspiring to work in the climbing industry, as underrepresented groups which face substantial barriers to entry and career progression. By reducing the financial barrier to attending this national event, we aim to support the attendance of people of the global majority and disabled people.
Thanks to the generous contributions of our conference exhibitors and climbing wall delegates, we are also able to offer a travel and accommodation bursary, to further reduce financial barriers to attendance.
At the ABC, our core remit is to support the professionalism, growth, safety and diversity of indoor climbing. Our goal is to ensure that our conference represents diverse perspectives and experiences, to enrich the development of the sector and lead to long-term, lasting change.
How to apply
The scheme is open to individuals with a link to the climbing industry, who identify as being a member of one of these underrepresented groups and would otherwise be self-funding their ticket.
To apply, please contact our EDI Manager El Temple, [email protected] with a short introduction to your current role or aspirations within the climbing industry.
If you can comfortably afford tickets to the ABC conference, please consider the needs of others who may benefit from this opportunity, as there are a limited number of tickets available.
Thank you to our generous supporters:
Awesome Walls | Boulders UK | Brushworks | Castle Climbing | Climb Newcastle | Depot Climbing | Edelrid UK | Flashpoint | Impact Route Setting | Redpoint HQ | TCA | TENZING
The ABC is pleased to launch the new ABC Accessibility Guide for Indoor Climbing Walls, developed to support climbing walls in creating more accessible and inclusive experiences for d/Deaf, neurodivergent and disabled climbers.
Developed in collaboration with paraclimbers, charities and climbing walls from across the sector, the guidance combines the perspective of those with lived experience and practical advice, signposting and key considerations to help climbing walls identify and remove barriers to participation, enabling more people to access and enjoy climbing. The guide also outlines sources of funding and grant opportunities which walls could access.
The guidance is an essential resource for any indoor climbing facility wanting to provide the most welcoming, inclusive and accessible space for all climbers. You will find support for every stage of your inclusion work, whether that’s enhancing your existing offer, increasing participation, or designing a new space.
To accompany the launch, the ABC will be hosting a webinar to introduce the guidance and provide an opportunity for questions and discussion. The webinar is open to climbing wall owners, operators, staff, volunteers and anyone with an interest in improving accessibility across climbing.
Download the guide here:
Accessibility Guide for Indoor Climbing Walls
ABC Accessibility Guide Launch Webinar
Date: 16 July 2026
Time: 10am – 11am
Format:
- Welcome and introduction
- Overview of the ABC Access Guidance
- Key themes and practical applications for all walls
- Q&A and discussion
The webinar is open to all climbing wall owners, operators and staff, volunteers and anyone with an interest in improving accessibility across climbing.
Register here
Early bird tickets to the ABC Conference are available until 30th June 2026
- What: Annual ABC Conference & AGM, packed with fantastic exhibitors, speakers, and industry professionals from around the UK and internationally.
- When: Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th September, 2026
- Where: Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham
Book now
Delegate tickets are now on sale for the UK’s largest and most established event for the indoor climbing industry, the Association of British Climbing walls annual conference and tradeshow.
Join us at the UK’s largest and most established event for the indoor climbing industry. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for networking with peers and meeting with our wide range of fantastic exhibitors who will be displaying a huge variety of products and services – from the latest in wall manufacturing and innovative holds, to safety equipment and specialist professional services, and much more.
New for 2026
- Based on attendee feedback, we have moved the conference to Wednesday & Thursday and extended to two full days for more networking and exhibition time
- We are expanding the exhibition will into a second hall for the first time. A new demo area in the Face of Steel room will house a climbing tower, training boards, product spotlights and fun challenges
- We have introduced tradeshow-only tickets, enabling additional colleagues to join on Thursday afternoon for only £40 – perfect for retail or setting focused staff
- Our popular Inside Edge climbing and networking evening event will be hosted this year at The Climbing Works Sheffield, exclusively for conference attendees
Early bird offer: Save 25%
Early bird tickets are available until 30th June saving an average of 25%. ABC members also benefit from exclusive discounts and group pricing. 
The UK’s biggest dedicated indoor climbing tradeshow
We are thrilled to be welcoming back many of the biggest brands in indoor climbing as well as some brand new exhibitors.
Inside Edge
Our popular evening event Inside Edge returns for 2026! This year we’ll be at The Climbing Works Sheffield on 16th September.
Come and try out the latest holds in our friendly comp, do some social bouldering or just network over pizza and a drink courtesy of Walltopia.
What’s more, it’s all included in the 2-day conference ticket.
Book now
ABC Accreditation expands into Scotland
Accreditation Scheme Rolls Out in Scotland thanks to our Sponsor Redpoint HQ
Since its launch in 2025, ABC Accreditation has been awarded to climbing walls that meet high standards for safety and professionalism. Our first cohort of Accredited walls have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining high standards in the industry and running well-maintained, well-managed facilities in which customers can have confidence.
Launched with support from the BMC and Sport England funding, the programme was initially rolled out in England and Wales. Now with support from our Principal Sponsors Redpoint HQ, we are delighted to be able to expand the programme to Scotland, recognising the excellent standards at Scottish walls.
The rollout has the support of Mountaineering Scotland and we look forward to visiting and accrediting climbing walls across Scotland.
‘Mountaineering Scotland is proud to support the introduction of the Association of British Climbing Walls Accreditation programme in Scotland. This initiative represents an important step forward in strengthening safety, consistency and quality across indoor climbing facilities. By providing a clear benchmark for best practice, the scheme will help ensure that climbers of all ages and abilities can access well-managed, welcoming environments where they can develop with confidence. We look forward to working alongside the ABC and the Scottish Climbing Wall Network to support its rollout and continued positive impact across Scotland.’
Jamie Smith, ClimbScotland / Mountaineering Scotland
Become an ABC Accredited Climbing Wall
If you own or operate a climbing wall in Scotland, England or Wales, you can start the accreditation process today. Visit our website to read more about the programme or contact our Accreditation Manager, Nick Cooper, for personalised, step-by-step support from the start.
Nick Cooper
ABC Accreditation Manager
The first stage of the implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025 is coming into force from 6th April, bringing a significant raft of changes to many aspects of employment. At the ABC, we’ve been looking at how this could affect our member climbing walls.
Here’s a reminder of some of the key changes that could affect you and your teams:
- Day one rights to paternity leave and parental leave. Currently paternity leave rights only apply after 26 weeks, and ordinary or unpaid parental leave only becomes a right after 52 weeks in employment.
- New statutory right to bereaved partners’ paternity leave
- Statutory sick pay will be paid from the first day of illness, instead of the fourth, and the lower earnings limit will be removed.
- Collective redundancy protections are increased with the maximum protective reward for failing to consult in collective redundancy doubling from 90 to 180 days’ pay.
- Sexual harassment will become a ‘qualifying disclosure’ giving protection to whistleblowers.
- Gender pay gap and menopause action plans become voluntary on 6th April but will become mandatory during 2027.
What you should do next
- Review the Guide to Employment Law Changes in the ABC Members Portal for more detail and compare against your own policies, procedures and pay budgets.
- ABC Members get totally free and confidential HR advice from our partners WorkNest. You can contact their solicitors via the hotline in the members’ portal for 1:1 advice.
- Join Worknest for their upcoming webinar, “Employment Rights Act 2025 – your questions answered”, on 16th April 2pm.
Exhibit at the ABC Conference 2026
The Association of British Climbing Walls annual conference is just under six months away and we are excited to announce that we are now accepting exhibitor bookings.
The ABC Conference is well established as the biggest and most influential event for indoor climbing in the UK. We connect wall owners and indoor climbing professionals with the latest insights, ideas, and opportunities (and holds!) to drive the industry forward.
We will return to the Magna Science Adventure Centre for Wednesday 16 – Thursday 17 September, with our evening climbing event “Inside Edge” taking place this year at The Climbing Works Sheffield. Delegates represent the whole spectrum of climbing walls, from small independent and school walls to the biggest groups and groups in the UK, and range from owners and managers to route setters, instructors and marketeers.
We are also excited to be expanding into a new space this year for a special demo area featuring a climbing tower and training boards. If you are interested in participating, please contact [email protected] for more details.
With optional extras such as speaking slots and branded merchandise, our exhibitor packages offer maximum value for your investment. Please note that exhibition booths are allocated on a first come first served basis so book early to avoid disappointment!
For more details, review our exhibitor brochure. If you know what you require and are ready to book, please head straight to the booking form. For any sponsorship enquiries or to discuss bespoke packages, please email [email protected]
Join us to promote your brand, make new connections and foster strategic partnerships. We look forward to seeing you at Magna!
We are proud to announce the new principal sponsor of Route Setting Development: Walltopia! With their support, we look forward to bringing our nationally-recognised setting qualification pathway to many more new and experienced setters.
Route Setting Development advances the safety, professionalism and creativity of route setting through national training pathways for both boulder and roped setters. RSD qualifications cover essential skills and knowledge in safety, working at height and competent, efficient setting. Courses are available to everyone from brand new setters to the most experienced setters looking to gain or renew their certification.
Walltopia has been building the world’s coolest climbing walls since 1998.
From boutique gyms to mega facilities, we design and build modern climbing spaces that combine striking aesthetics with high octane performance.
Through Holdtopia we distribute 50+ leading holds and volume brands, and with Climbmat we supply EN-standard safety flooring.
We help routesetters and wall owners bring their design vision and spaces to life, while our in-house production and assembly teams ensure premium materials and precision installation – creating facilities that look great for as long as the climbing addiction lasts!
Sandra Adler, Walltopia UK and Ireland, said, “We are psyched to support Route Setting Development! Together with Walltopia initiatives like Shapers Showdown contest and HRT’s “By Artist” grips range, we’re privileged to cultivate the next generation of artists shaping the future of climbing.”
Learn more about the RSD here.
Partner with the ABC for the UK’s biggest indoor climbing industry event
The Association of British Climbing Walls annual conference is just over six months away and we are excited to announce our sponsorship packages are now live.
The ABC Conference is well established as the biggest and most influential event for indoor climbing in the UK. We connect wall owners and indoor climbing professionals with the latest insights, ideas, and opportunities (and holds!) to drive the industry forward.
We will return to the Magna Science Adventure Centre for Wednesday 16 – Thursday 17 September. Delegates represent the whole spectrum of climbing walls, from small independent and school walls to the biggest groups in the UK, and range from owners and managers to route setters, instructors and marketeers.
What’s new for 2026
New schedule: With two full days Wednesday – Thursday you have more time in the exhibition hall
Face of Steel: We’re expanding into a second exhibition hall for a demo area featuring training boards and mobile climbing tower.
More ticket types: Tradeshow-only and one-day tickets will be available to expand access to the conference
Inside Edge: Our popular evening climbing event and holds showcase takes place this year at The Climbing Works Sheffield.
We’ve crafted a range of sponsorship packages to suit different goals and budgets, as shown in the brochure here. From Platinum sponsorship to hosting Inside Edge, each package has been designed to amplify sponsors’ presence and impact at the event. All sponsorship includes a booth in the exhibition hall and priority location choice.
With optional extras such as room name sponsorship, exhibition booths, speaking slots or branded merchandise, our bespoke packages offer maximum value for your investment. Please note that sponsor opportunities and associated exhibition booths are allocated on a first come first served basis so book early to avoid disappointment!
If you know what you require and are ready to book, please click here for the booking form. For any sponsorship enquiries or to discuss bespoke packages, please email [email protected]
Join us to promote your brand, make new connections and foster strategic partnerships. We look forward to seeing you at Magna!
Please note – general exhibition sales will open on 30 March.
The ABC is proud to announce the new Principal Sponsor for our Accreditation programme: Redpoint HQ.
ABC Accreditation was launched in 2025 and is a national mark of excellence for indoor climbing safety, awarded to walls that meet eight key standards. The programme was launched with support from the BMC and Sport England, and is recognised by industry insurers as a risk mitigator. With Redpoint HQ on board, we are excited to continue the rollout of the programme in 2026 and welcome many more walls to the ABC Accredited community.
Redpoint HQ is a modern cloud based platform built by long time climbing gym operators with deep experience building software for busy single site and multi gym organisations.
Redpoint HQ uses modern technology and architecture designed for the next generation of climbing gym business, providing a faster, more flexible, and more future ready foundation than earlier systems can support. In a short time, Redpoint HQ has become one of the most widely adopted systems in the industry.
Redpoint HQ said: “We continue to invest heavily in the UK market and are proud to support the ABC Accreditation programme as Principal Sponsor, reinforcing our commitment to advancing safety, professionalism, and operational excellence across the commercial climbing industry.”
Learn more about Accreditation here.
Can Climbing Walls Make Money?
Insights from Jeremy Wilson’s Keynote at the ABC Conference
At the 2025 ABC Conference, amidst the energising panels and exciting new ideas, there was also a key question facing our industry: can climbing walls still make money? To tackle this head-on, we brought in Jeremy Wilson, Founder and CEO of The Lakeland Climbing Centre, to deliver a keynote on this very topic. His candid, pragmatic, and ultimately optimistic talk resonated with so many of our members wondering if they were the only ones feeling the pinch. Now we can share the key themes from his talk with you.
The full article is available to logged in members.
Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of joining the ABC.
If you’re interested in indoor climbing market research, take a look at the ABC’s bi-annual report into the size and shape of the industry.
