BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir has been crowned winners of the 14th edition of University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY 2026), following a powerful night that brought together university choirs from across the UK in a celebration of gospel music, unity and excellence.
Held before a packed audience, the annual event once again highlighted the richness and diversity within the UK university gospel scene. From the very start, there was a real sense of anticipation as each choir stepped forward, delivering performances marked by strong vocals, live instrumentation and clear gospel expression.
Throughout the night, both returning choirs and debut groups took to the stage, each bringing their own unique sound. Some leaned into high-energy moments, while others created more stripped-back, vocal-led sets. It all spoke to how much the competition has grown over the years, not just in scale but in depth and maturity.
Judges including Volney Morgan, Russell Scott, Anu Omideyi and special guest Limoblaze all acknowledged the high standard on display, noting the level of preparation, musicality and confidence shown across the board.
One of the standout moments of the night came just before the results were announced, as all ten choirs gathered on stage to form a mass choir. In that moment, the focus shifted from competition to unity, with a shared sound of worship that filled the room.
When the results were revealed, Sunderland University Gospel Choir were named second runner-up, while Portsmouth University Gospel Choir took the first runner-up spot.
Taking the top position, BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir delivered a performance that combined strong vocals, tight musical coordination and a clear sense of identity. Their win reflected not just what they presented on the night, but the level they have reached as a choir within the UK gospel space.
UGCY 2026 continues to stand as an important platform for emerging gospel talent, creating room for choirs to grow, be seen and play their part in shaping the sound of gospel music across the UK.
