NATURAL STRONGMAN OPEN 2027
One worldwide competition system. The same events. The same weights. A pathway all the way to Worlds.
The Natural Strongman Open 2027 is a worldwide series of Natural Strongman competitions taking place primarily across January and February 2027.
Athletes around the world will compete using the same five events, the same weight options, the same distances and the same key event standards.
Each competition still has its own title and its own winners, but performances will also contribute towards regional and worldwide leaderboards.
Those leaderboards form part of the qualification pathway towards major Natural Strongman championships and ultimately the 2027 World’s Natural Strongest Man & Woman.
For 2027, confirmed Open regions are:
UK & Ireland | Europe | North America | Oceania
Further information regarding Asia will be released soon.
HOW DOES THE NATURAL STRONGMAN OPEN WORK?
It is designed to be simple.
STEP 1 — Enter an Open
Enter one of the official Natural Strongman Open competitions taking place in your region.
STEP 2 — Compete in the Open
Athletes around the world will face the same five events.
STEP 3 — Your performance enters the leaderboard system
Results from the Opens are used to create regional leaderboards and a Worldwide Leaderboard.
STEP 4 — Progress through the pathway
Depending on your region, athletes can qualify for competitions such as:
UK & Ireland’s Natural Strongest
Europe’s Natural Strongest
North America’s Natural Strongest
Oceania’s Natural Strongest
There are also opportunities to qualify directly to Worlds through the Worldwide Leaderboard.
IMPORTANT: THE WEIGHTS ARE THE SAME FOR EVERY CATEGORY
This is one of the most important things to understand about the Natural Strongman Open.
The event weights do not change depending on your age or weight class.
Instead, many of the events give athletes multiple weight options.
For example, every female athlete has access to the same four Log options:
50kg / 60kg / 70kg / 80kg
Every male athlete has:
85kg / 100kg / 115kg / 130kg
An athlete simply selects the option appropriate for them.
This has two major benefits.
Firstly, it makes the Open much more accessible. You do not have to be capable of the heaviest weight to enter, compete and put a good score on the board.
Secondly, because the events are standardised, athletes can compare performances with competitors all over the world — including athletes in different divisions.
It also gives exceptionally strong lighter athletes the chance to attempt weights that they would not normally see at the early stages of a strongman qualification pathway.
THE 2027 OPEN EVENTS
All events have a maximum time of 60 seconds.
EVENT 1 — TRUMP LOG FOR REPS
Choose your weight and complete as many repetitions as possible.
WOMEN
50kg | 60kg | 70kg | 80kg
MEN
85kg | 100kg | 115kg | 130kg
What does “Trump” mean?
One successful rep at a heavier weight beats any number of reps at a lighter weight.
For example:
1 rep at 115kg beats 10 reps at 100kg.
This means athletes can choose a weight appropriate for their strength level while stronger athletes can take the risk of attempting one of the heavier options.
Weight selection at individual competitions
The exact procedure may vary slightly depending on the equipment available to the promoter.
Some competitions may require athletes to select their weight before beginning and stay with that weight.
Other competitions may have multiple logs available and allow athletes to attempt a heavier option before dropping to a lighter one, you can only score on one weight.
The promoter will confirm the exact procedure for their competition.
EVENT 2 — TRUMP DEADLIFT FOR REPS
The Deadlift uses the same Trump principle as the Log.
WOMEN
125kg | 150kg | 175kg | 200kg
MEN
210kg | 240kg | 270kg | 300kg
Again:
One successful rep at a heavier weight beats any number of repetitions at a lighter weight.
Individual promoters will confirm exactly how weight selection will operate at their competition based on the equipment available.
EVENT 3 — SANDBAG LOADING RACE
Four sandbags are carried and loaded from progressively shorter distances.
Bag 1 — 10 metres
Bag 2 — 8 metres
Bag 3 — 6 metres
Bag 4 — 4 metres
WOMEN
60kg | 70kg | 80kg | 90kg
Women load the bags over a 44-inch height.
MEN
100kg | 110kg | 120kg | 130kg
Men load the bags over a 48-inch height.
You DO NOT need to finish all four bags to get a result.
This is particularly important for athletes looking at these weights and thinking:
“I won't be able to finish that.”
That is completely fine.
We expect a significant number of athletes not to finish the entire four-bag loading race.
A split time is recorded for every successfully loaded bag.
That means your aim might be:
Get two bags as quickly as possible.
Or:
Get three bags as quickly as possible.
While another athlete may be trying to complete all four.
For example, if you are in one of the lighter divisions and know the fourth bag is currently beyond you, that should not discourage you from entering the competition.
Your job is to complete as many bags as you can and to complete them as quickly as possible.
Those split times allow your performance to be ranked against the other athletes in your division and against athletes on the wider leaderboard.
You don't have to finish an event to compete effectively.
EVENT 4 — FARMERS WITH A DECISION
This event gives athletes a tactical choice.
WOMEN
70kg / 90kg per hand
MEN
110kg / 130kg per hand
Every athlete begins with the lighter Farmers Walk implements.
They complete:
10m out + 10m back = 20 metres
They then have a decision.
They can either:
continue with the lighter Farmers
or
move onto the heavier Farmers.
They can then attempt another:
10m out + 10m back.
A time is recorded for every 10 metres completed.
The Trump element
After completing the opening 20 metres with the lighter Farmers:
reaching 10 metres with the heavier Farmers beats any additional time or distance completed with the lighter Farmers.
So the athlete has to make a decision.
Do you stay lighter and try to move very quickly?
Or take the risk and move onto the heavier weight?
A drop outside the designated safe zone ends the athlete's run.
EVENT 5 — SANDBAG CARRY FOR DISTANCE
Athletes carry a sandbag for maximum distance.
WOMEN
70kg / 90kg
MEN
110kg / 130kg
Athletes have the choice between a lighter and heavier bag.
The heavier bag uses a Trump system.
An athlete must complete a minimum of:
10 metres with the heavier bag
for that performance to trump performances using the lighter bag.
Once that 10-metre minimum has been reached, the heavier-bag performance ranks ahead of any distance achieved with the lighter bag.
THE WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARD
One of the biggest differences with the Natural Strongman Open is that you are not only competing against the people standing beside you on the day.
Your performance can also be compared with athletes competing in Natural Strongman Opens around the world.
After the Open competitions, results are used to create the Worldwide Leaderboard.
TOP 10 WORLDWIDE = WORLDS INVITATION
The:
TOP 10 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARD
will receive an invitation directly to the 2027 World’s Natural Strongest Man & Woman.
This creates another pathway to Worlds.
You don't necessarily have to win your Open or your regional championship.
If your Open performance is good enough to put you inside the worldwide Top 10, you can earn a direct Worlds invitation.
UK & IRELAND OPEN
Four national competitions form the UK & Ireland Open.
IRELAND’S NATURAL STRONGEST
23 January 2027
Black Box, Galway
WALES NATURAL STRONGEST
24 January 2027
Compound Gym, Cardiff
SCOTLAND’S NATURAL STRONGEST
31 January 2027
Wishaw Sports Centre
ENGLAND’S NATURAL STRONGEST
13–14 February 2027
Hideout Arena, Bolton
At England's, men will compete on Saturday and women on Sunday.
HOW DOES UK & IRELAND QUALIFICATION WORK?
There are multiple opportunities to progress.
Win your national competition
The winner of each division at:
Ireland's
Wales'
Scotland's
England's
receives an invitation to both:
UK & Ireland’s Natural Strongest
and
Europe’s Natural Strongest
UK & Ireland Leaderboard
After all four competitions have been completed, a UK & Ireland leaderboard will be produced.
The:
TOP 12 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION
will receive invitations to:
UK & Ireland’s Natural Strongest
and
Europe’s Natural Strongest
UK & Ireland's and Europe's operate as parallel championships in 2027.
Qualified athletes can choose to compete at:
UK & Ireland's
or
Europe's
or compete at both.
UK & IRELAND’S NATURAL STRONGEST
2 May 2027 - Bolton, England
The:
Top 5 in each division
qualify for Worlds.
EUROPE’S NATURAL STRONGEST
22 May 2027 - Ybbs an der Donau, Austria
The:
Top 5 in each division
also qualify for Worlds.
EUROPEAN OPEN
Europe will have four regional Open competitions during February.
NORTHERN EUROPE
6 February 2027
Nijmegen
Further venue/details TBC
Contact: Dennis Polman
Instagram: @strongman_battles
NORDIC’S STRONGEST
13 February 2027
Rambergveien 11
3115 Tønsberg, Norway
Contact: Lauris Grorud
naturalstrongman_norway@outlook.com
EASTERN EUROPE
20 February 2027
Dudeștii Noi, Romania
Contact: Rebellion Strength
contact@rebellionstrength.eu
CENTRAL EUROPE
27 February 2027
Ybbs an der Donau, Austria
Contact: DSC Promotions
steinackerpartner@gmail.com
HOW DOES EUROPEAN QUALIFICATION WORK?
The winner of each division at each European Open receives an invitation to Europe’s Natural Strongest
After the regional competitions, a European leaderboard will also be produced.
The:
TOP 10 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION ON THE EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD
Will receive invitations to Europe’s Natural Strongest.
European athletes also appear on the Worldwide Leaderboard.
Therefore the:
Top 10 worldwide in each division
can qualify directly to Worlds.
NORTH AMERICA OPEN
Natural Strongman Open competitions will take place throughout the USA and Canada during January and February.
North American athletes will appear on:
The North American Leaderboard
and
The Worldwide Leaderboard
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR NORTH AMERICA’S NATURAL STRONGEST?
There are two main routes.
Win your regional Open
The winner of each division at an official USA or Canadian regional Open receives an invitation to:
North America’s Natural Strongest
North American Leaderboard
The:
TOP 10 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION ON THE NORTH AMERICAN LEADERBOARD
will also receive invitations to North America’s Natural Strongest.
NORTH AMERICAN DIRECT QUALIFICATION TO WORLDS
The:
TOP 3 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION ON THE NORTH AMERICAN LEADERBOARD
will receive direct invitations to Worlds.
North American athletes can also qualify through the worldwide system.
The:
Top 10 worldwide in each division
also receive direct invitations to Worlds.
NORTH AMERICA’S NATURAL STRONGEST
15 May 2027 - New Jersey
North America’s Natural Strongest will also act as a qualifier for Worlds.
USA OPEN COMPETITIONS
SOUTHERN
9 January 2027
Battle Axe Barbell
Dallas, Texas
Promoters: Shelley & Derek Owens
shelley@battleaxebarbell.com
EAST COAST
16 January 2027
Pitt Gym
New Jersey
Promoter: Matt Cooney
naturalstrongmanusa@gmail.com
GULF COAST
6 February 2027
Navarre, Florida
Promoter: John Newby
newby5593@gmail.com
West Virginia
13 February 2027
Further competition and promoter information TBC.
SOUTH WEST
27 February 2027
Las Vegas, Nevada
Promoter: Big Ronnie
benikken123@hotmail.com
NORTH WEST
Washington State
Date TBC.
Promoters: Angelica Jardine & Nick Dewing
naturalstrongmanwestcoast@gmail.com
CANADA OPEN COMPETITIONS
Canada forms part of the North American Open and North American Leaderboard.
CAPITAL CITY SHOWDOWN
30 January 2027
Edmonton, Alberta
Promoter: Joscelyn
joscelyne.obrien2@gmail.com
NEWFOUNDLAND QUALIFIER
6 February 2027
Newfoundland
Promoter: Kyle
tsigym2017@gmail.com
MORE CANADIAN COMPETITIONS COMING
Further Canadian Natural Strongman Open competitions will be announced.
All official Canadian Open results will contribute towards the North American and Worldwide leaderboard systems.
OCEANIA OPEN — CONFIRMED FOR 2027
Oceania is a confirmed Natural Strongman Open region for 2027.
The Open system will operate in both Australia and New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand will host a New Zealand’s Strongest Man & Woman competition as part of the 2027 pathway.
AUSTRALIA
Australia will have approximately four to five regional Natural Strongman Open competitions available for athletes to enter.
Full competition dates, locations, promoters and qualification details will be released shortly.
Oceania athletes will also form part of the wider Worldwide Leaderboard system.
ASIA
Information regarding the 2027 Natural Strongman Open in Asia will be released soon.
DON'T BE PUT OFF BY THE WEIGHTS
This is something we want athletes to understand before entering.
The Natural Strongman Open is designed to test the very best natural strongmen and strongwomen in the world — but it is also designed to allow a much wider range of athletes to get involved.
You do not need to be capable of the heaviest Log.
You do not need to deadlift 300kg.
You do not need to finish every sandbag in the loading race.
Pick the appropriate options, put the best performance you can on the board and see where you rank.
For some athletes, success might mean attacking the heaviest possible weights and chasing a worldwide Top 10 position.
For another athlete, it might mean entering their first Natural Strongman competition, completing two loading bags faster than anyone else in their division and seeing where they stand nationally.
Both athletes belong in the Natural Strongman Open.
WANT TO BRING THE NATURAL STRONGMAN OPEN TO YOUR REGION?
We want to continue expanding the Natural Strongman Open around the world.
If you are an experienced strongman promoter and would like to host an official Natural Strongman Open event in your country or region, contact Natural Strongman through our website.
We are particularly interested in continuing to expand into countries and regions that do not currently have an Open.
The long-term aim is simple:
Give natural strongman athletes around the world a clear pathway from local competition all the way to the World Championships.
SIMPLE VERSION: HOW DO I GET TO WORLDS?
ENTER AN OPEN
↓
COMPETE IN THE OPEN
↓
YOUR RESULTS ENTER THE REGIONAL AND WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARDS
↓
QUALIFY THROUGH YOUR REGIONAL COMPETITION, REGIONAL LEADERBOARD OR WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARD
↓
COMPETE AT YOUR MAJOR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WHERE APPLICABLE
↓
WORLD’S NATURAL STRONGEST MAN & WOMAN 2027