The 2026 National Outdoor Tug of War Championships delivered a thrilling weekend of competition as teams from across England gathered at Kendal Rugby Club.
In contention were senior and junior titles across men’s, women’s and mixed categories.
The event brought together England’s top tug of war teams and served as a key selection event, with winning teams earning invitations to represent England on the international stage later this year.
Among the standout performances, current world champions Lincoln secured gold medals in the 640kg, 680kg and mixed 580kg categories, while Melton Mowbray enjoyed a commanding presence in the women’s competitions, taking top honours in the 500kg, 520kg, 540kg and 560kg classes.
History was also made in the men’s competition with the Army taking gold in the mens catchweight (no weight limit) division to win their first ever gold medal.
In the junior categories, teams such as Beaminster, Felton Eccles, and South West Area demonstrated the sport’s strong emerging talent in these weight classes from the south western corner of the country.
Championship results
- Junior GENSB rules competition: Gold – Area 4; Silver – Felton Eccles; Bronze – Upper Eden
- Men 640kg: Gold – Lincoln; Silver – Oxney Vines Cross; Bronze – Norton
- Women 500kg: Gold – Melton Mowbray; Silver – Bedford Ladies; Bronze – Bedfordshire
- Junior Men 560kg: Gold – South West Area; Silver – Area 4
- Junior Women 480kg: Gold – Beaminster; Silver – Bedfordshire; Bronze – Upper Eden
- Men 560kg: Gold – Anstey; Silver – Bosley; Bronze – Oxney Vines Cross
- Women 540kg: Gold – Melton Mowbray; Silver – Army Ladies; Bronze – Bedford Ladies
- Junior Mixed 520kg: Gold – Felton Eccles; Silver – Upper Eden; Bronze – Beaminster
- Men 680kg: Gold – Lincoln; Silver – Oxney Vines Cross; Bronze – Bedfordshire
- Women 520kg: Gold – Melton Mowbray; Silver – Army Ladies; Bronze – Bedford Ladies
- Men 600kg: Gold – Anstey; Silver – Norton; Bronze – York
- Women 560kg: Gold – Melton Mowbray; Silver – Army Ladies; Bronze – Bedford Ladies
- Mixed 580kg: Gold – Lincoln; Silver – Kilroe; Bronze – Bedford
- Men 720kg: Gold – Norton; Silver – Oxney Vines Cross; Bronze – Bedfordshire
- Men Catchweight: Gold – Army; Silver – Upper Eden; Bronze – Lincoln
As a result of their success, gold medal-winning teams will now be invited to represent England at two major international competitions later this year:
- The British and Irish Championships in Cork in August, where England will compete against teams from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
- The World Tug of War Championships in South Africa in September, bringing together elite teams from across the globe.
Alan Knott, of the Tug of War Association, said: “The 2026 National Championships have been a fantastic showcase of the very best of English tug of war.
“The standard of competition across all categories—senior and junior—has been exceptional with teams leaping on from the world championships we hosted in Nottingham last year, and Kendal Rugby Club proved to be an outstanding host venue.
It is particularly encouraging to see such strength in depth across the country, with established teams continuing to excel and emerging clubs making their mark. We now look forward to seeing our champions represent England with pride on the international stage in Cork and South Africa.”
