The Exclusive Cup Returns for 2025

Founded by Exclusive Ballooning at Sudeley Castle in 2008 with sixty balloons in attendance, the Exclusive Cup quickly became an established grass roots hot air balloon competition event.

In 2016, the event relocated from Gloucestershire to Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, where it remained for 6 years growing to a record breaking size.

The event proudly returned as a grass roots event in 2025 at Bath & West Showground. We were treated to two spectacular Sky Safari® night glows under perfect conditions, plus three brilliant flights.

Nineteen balloons launched on Saturday morning for a single competition flight—ending in a nail-biting tie-breaker for 1st place, with the lowest measurement winning.

A huge congratulations to our top three:

Richard Parry – 1st place⁠ ⁠

Dan Gregory – 2nd place⁠

Max Densley-Alford – 3rd place

The John William Holly Memorial Trophy was proudly won by Max Densley-Alford.