ONE WORLDWIDE COMPETITION SYSTEM  •  SAME EVENTS  •  SAME WEIGHTS  •  ROAD 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 has its own title and winners, but performances also contribute towards regional and worldwide leaderboards. These form part of the qualification pathway towards major Natural Strongman championships and ultimately the 2027 World’s Natural Strongest Man & Woman.

CONFIRMED REGIONS  •  UK & IRELAND  |  EUROPE  |  NORTH AMERICA  |  OCEANIA

Further information regarding Asia will be released soon.

HOW DOES THE NATURAL STRONGMAN OPEN WORK?

STEP 1 — ENTER AN OPEN

Enter an official Natural Strongman Open competition in your region.

STEP 2 — COMPETE

Athletes around the world face the same five events.

STEP 3 — ENTER THE LEADERBOARDS

Open results create regional leaderboards and a Worldwide Leaderboard.

STEP 4 — PROGRESS

Depending on your region, qualify for UK & Ireland’s, Europe’s, North America’s or Oceania’s Natural Strongest. Direct qualification to Worlds is also possible through the Worldwide Leaderboard.

IMPORTANT — THE WEIGHTS ARE THE SAME FOR EVERY CATEGORY

Event weights do not change depending on age or weight class. Many events offer several weight options, and athletes choose the option appropriate for them.

For example, all female athletes can select from the same four Log weights, and all male athletes from the same four Log weights.

WOMEN — LOG

MEN — LOG

This makes the Open accessible without requiring athletes to lift the heaviest option. Standardised events also allow performances to be compared worldwide, including across divisions. Exceptionally strong lighter athletes can attempt weights they might not normally see early in a 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

MEN

TRUMP RULE: One successful rep at a heavier weight beats any number of reps at a lighter weight.

Example: 1 rep at 115kg beats 10 reps at 100kg.

Weight selection procedures may vary with the promoter’s equipment. Some competitions require athletes to select one weight before beginning. Others may allow a heavier attempt before dropping to a lighter log, but athletes can only score on one weight. The promoter will confirm the exact procedure.

EVENT 2 — TRUMP DEADLIFT FOR REPS

The Deadlift uses the same Trump principle as the Log.

WOMEN

MEN

TRUMP RULE: One successful rep at a heavier weight beats any number of reps at a lighter weight.

Individual promoters will confirm the weight-selection procedure based on available equipment.

EVENT 3 — SANDBAG LOADING RACE

Four sandbags are carried and loaded from progressively shorter distances:

BAG DISTANCES

WOMEN

Women load over 44 inches (111.8cm).

MEN

Men load over 48 inches (121.9cm).

You do NOT need to finish all four bags to get a result. We expect a significant number of athletes not to complete the full race.

A split time is recorded for every successfully loaded bag. Your goal may be two bags as quickly as possible, three as quickly as possible, or all four. If the fourth bag is beyond you, that should not discourage you from entering.

Complete as many bags as you can, as quickly as possible. Split times allow comparison within your division and on the wider leaderboard. You do not have to finish an event to compete effectively.

EVENT 4 — FARMERS WITH A DECISION

This event gives athletes a tactical choice.

WOMEN — PER HAND

MEN — PER HAND

Every athlete starts with the lighter Farmers Walk implements and completes 10m out + 10m back = 20m.

They then choose to continue with the lighter Farmers or move to the heavier Farmers, attempting another 10m out + 10m back. A time is recorded for every 10m completed.

TRUMP RULE: After the opening 20m, reaching 10m with the heavier Farmers beats any additional time or distance completed with the lighter Farmers.

Stay lighter and move quickly, or risk the heavier weight. A drop outside the designated safe zone ends the run.

EVENT 5 — SANDBAG CARRY FOR DISTANCE

Carry a sandbag for maximum distance, choosing between a lighter and heavier option.

WOMEN

MEN

TRUMP RULE: Complete at least 20m with the heavier bag to rank ahead of any distance achieved with the lighter bag.

THE WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARD

You are not only competing against the people beside you on the day. Your performance can be compared with athletes in Natural Strongman Opens worldwide.

After the Opens, results are used to create the Worldwide Leaderboard.

TOP 10 WORLDWIDE = WORLDS INVITATION

THE TOP 10 ATHLETES IN EACH DIVISION ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADERBOARD RECEIVE A DIRECT INVITATION TO THE 2027 WORLD’S NATURAL STRONGEST MAN & WOMAN.

You do not necessarily need to win your Open or regional championship. A worldwide Top 10 performance can earn a direct Worlds invitation.