PRESS RELEASE 11.09.2026

The 59th World Conker Championships 2026

Bonkers for Conkers

2000 fans & 256 competitors are expected for a day of fun & fierce competition at the 59th World Conker Championships, held at the 17th Century Shuckburgh Arms in the picturesque village of Southwick near Oundle on Sunday, October 11th.

Conkering: a quirky British tradition with a powerful purpose.

Since its inception in 1965, the Championships have raised nearly £500,000 for charities supporting people living with sight loss.

International Competitors – Meet the Champions.

The current World Champion is Matt Cross, who triumphed over women’s champion Mags Blake in a thrilling Grand Final. Team champions were Conker Cowboys made it a near complete winning sweep for the British, with only the intermediate (11-16) champion Felix Axmacher having German connections.

Steel Conker exoneration

The infamous “steel conker controversy” went viral worldwide on TV, radio and press two years ago. Using VAR technology, King Conker was found to be totally innocent of any impropriety. King Conker has had to retire due to poor mobility and pass the baton (the steel conker?) onto a new King (and, for the first time) Queen Conker. However, the steel conker controversy has meant playing places were sold out very early, and no competition places are left for adults. U-16s can enter on the day.

A Spirit of Fair Play

Randomly chosen to be ready for battle in front of hundreds of eager competitors. conker specialists gather around 2,500 premium-grade conkers, every one carefully selected for size, shape, and consistency. These are precision-drilled & threaded onto leather boot laces.

Healthy Trees, Healthy Conkers

Despite the soaking spring and summer heatwave, let alone the dreaded Leaf Miner Moth; the Great British Horse Chestnut Tree is looking as if it will provide a bumper harvest. The committee have already been out to start planning harvesting an excellent crop of Conkers for the big day.

They came, they saw, they Conkered

This year we’re looking forward to welcoming a massive turnout from around the world to Battle the Nut. Competitors have signed up faster than ever in our 60 years of Conkering history.

So, whatever your age or skill level, come and show off your Conkering prowess. And don’t forget, entry is FREE for children and U-16s aiming to become the next Junior World Conker Champion!

Links:

President, Ring Master & Chief Steward: Richard Howard
Phone: 07958 798388
Email: td060242@gmail.com

Where: Main Street Southwick Oundle near Peterborough PE8 5BL
When: Sunday October 11th 2026 | 10am
Web: www.worldconkerchampionships.com

Attached photos are all permissions granted for the press to use freely. Additional high-resolution images can be found here.