Conker competitions UK & Rest of World
Conkers is a game loved in part because of how it brings people together to play against each other time and again in a bid to see whose conker reigns supreme. It is somewhat inevitable therefore that large-scale competitions would emerge – to find the best player, and best conker. And whilst fewer children have been playing the game in recent years (health and safety gone mad), the popularity of these competitions has only increased, in the UK and across the world.
One of the most common questions asked is where are the best conker competitions, and are there conker competitions run outside of England? Below is a list of the biggest conker competitions around the world, including competitions run in the US and rest of the world:
World Conker Championships (Southwick, England)
Hampstead Heath Conker Championships (London)
Peckham Conker Championships (London)
North American Conker Championships (Canada)
Scottish Conker Championships (Scotland)
World Conker Championships (WCC)
The biggest of all the conker competitions in England, and one of the biggest in the world, the WCC was born in 1965 in an unusual way. According to the website’s history page, poor weather forced a group on a fishing expedition in Ashton to hunker down and find something else to do. Taking shelter at a local pub, they settled on conkers. A prize was awarded to the winner and, rather touchingly, money was collected for charity by someone with a blind relative – a move which evolved into a donation of profits from every year’s event, with £420,000 being raised since 1965.
Following a few location changes, due mostly to an increase in popularity and soaring number of competitors, the competition has found a more permanent home in Southwick in 2013. But these would be champions aren’t just from the UK. Despite its UK base, the WCC attracts competitors from across the globe, the first international champion being Jorge Ramirez Carrillo from Mexico in 1976.
When is the World Conker Championships 2021 taking part? In 2021 the World Conker Championships are taking place on 10th October 2021. They take place in the village of Southwick, Northamptonshire, England.
Hampstead Heath Conker Championships
This competition broke the Guinness World Record in 2011 with 395 participants. Having run for nearly two decades, it is one of the biggest and more established conker competitions in the UK. Competitors typically gather at Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath for a huge BYOC (Bring Your Own Conker) knockout tourney in 5 age categories (under 5s, 5-7 years, 8-13 years, 14-17 years, 18s and over) until a winner is declared in each respective category, all of whom receive a Golden Conker and a certificate.
Unfortunately this competition - like so many others - hasn’t run due the pandemic, but with lockdown restrictions being lifted, its possible this competition may be back on come September, and is a must for anyone in London.
Peckham Conker Championships
Started in 2017, the Peckham Conker Championships runs as an alternative conker championships playing according to Battle Royale Rules - where anything goes, including stampsies, tangles and customised / hardened conkers.
The Peckham Conker Championships is based in London (England) and takes part at the Brick Brewery in Peckham. In 2018, conker winning prizes included meat from butchers Flock and Herd and free beer!
Peckham Conker Competition - London
North American Conker Championship
Although very much a British phenomenon, the charm of conkers isn’t lost on those abroad, having a re-emergence in recent years. In Canada, the North American Conker Championship has run an annual competition since 2012. Held in the Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal, a small town in Nova Scotia, this tournament attracts a number of contestants of all ages and experience levels. They have competitive rounds for people aged 8 to 108, and encourage everyone and anyone to join the fun, stating that no experience is need (and in fact, that no experience is better).
Scottish Conker Championships
To the north, an annual conker competition has run in Scotland as part of the Tweed Valley Forest Festival in Peebles, near the Scottish border. Starting in 2007, the Scottish Conker competition has increased in popularity year on year.
Those interested in testing their mettle can sign up for one of four categories – Junior, Youth, Adult and Rogue. Whilst the former three are fairly straightforward, the Rogue category is an interesting standout, and makes this competition unique in its own right. This is a category for any contestants over the age of 7, so naturally some interesting matchups will be made…
The championship follows a strict rule set laid out by the Borders Forest Trust, among which is an insistence that all participants may have only one conker and lace supplied by the organisers. If however you are keen on sharpening your skills before the big day, and giving yourself the best chance of success, have a look at our store for some conkers kits.
So when is the competition on? Happily, we have good news! The competition is back on this year, and will run from Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th October 2021. Check out our online guide to learn how to play to give yourself the best shot!