European Tug of War Championships

About

The University of Nottingham, in conjunction with the Tug of War Association of England will play host to the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) 2025 European Tug of War Championships which will also incorporate the world junior and under 23 Tug of War Championships in the event.

Clubs and national teams will take part in four days of competition in various weight classes for male teams, female teams and mixed teams, with the first two days of competition for club teams before the final two days of competition see representative teams from a number of nations battling it out for gold, silver and bronze medals in each weight class.

The event is expected to draw around 1,500 - 2,000 participants from at least 20 countries.

Competitions on each day start at 9am and run through the afternoon to early evening. Entry for spectators will be free of charge and spectators are encouraged to come along and cheer the teams on!

Public transport to the venue from the City Centre is available by tram with the competition venue located a very short walk from the University Boulevard tram stop.

About Tug of War:

Tug of War represents a concept so classic that in many cultures its name is used in everyday language. Tug of war's long history as the purest contest of human strength provides glorious moments. In the Olympics from Paris 1900 through Antwerp 1920, in The World Games from 1981, and in Tug of War International Federation World Championships held outdoors and indoors ... When the referee commands "Pick up the rope!" – "Take the strain!" - "Steady!" – "Pull!", adrenalin pushes eight athletes on each side to muster every ounce of strength in their bodies!

The teams of eight members are captained by a coach. The lead puller is the first in line, and the anchor, the last man or woman in the line, may wrap the rope around his or her body once. The key is for the rope to be pulled in a straight line from the lead to the anchor. The team pulling the centre of the rope four metres from the starting position is declared the winner. The rope is between 33,5 and 36 metres in length, 10 to 12,5 cm in diameter, and it is made of hemp or polypropylene.

The highlight of outdoor tug of war is the clash of sheer power and stamina between the two teams. Athletes seek an optimal foothold in the ground by digging in their heels and, using that as their pivot, seek to apply force to the opposing team using a combination of pulling the rope with the upper body, and pushing their legs into the ground to try and move the opposition.