Official Strongman brings the England's Strongest Man competition back to the York Barbican, featuring top British strongman athletes in a powerhouse showdown.
England's Strongest Man 2026 returns to the York Barbican on Sunday 26 July, the competition coming back to the city after its previous run. It's put on by Official Strongman, and the title is exactly what it sounds like: a day of strongman events where the athletes go head-to-head for the crown of England's Strongest Man. The organisers describe it as a powerhouse showdown, with the competitors tested on strength, endurance and tactical agility across the course of the day.
There's a fair bit on the line here. The event is part of the Giants Live strongman tour, and that tour serves as the only qualifier for athletes to get into the World's Strongest Man. So this isn't just a one-off show; it's a stepping stone for the competitors on their way to the biggest stage in the sport. The man to beat is Paddy Haynes, who took the title in 2025 and will be defending it here.
He won't be alone on the floor. The line-up includes Andrew Flynn, Ben Glasscock, Ryan Bennett, Paul Smith and Luke Richardson, so there are six of them fighting it out. It's a family-friendly afternoon, too — under-14s just need to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
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It starts at 13:00 on Sunday 26 July at the York Barbican. Tickets are on sale now, and there are VIP options if you want something more than a standard seat: VIP Gold and VIP Silver both come with better seating, a gift bag, a pre-show talk and a post-show meet-and-greet with the athletes. The venue notes that a booking fee applies to tickets.
