Lumberjack World Championships

The 66th annual Lumberjack World Championships takes over the historic Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward, Wisconsin, from July 16 through July 18, 2026, drawing the world’s finest timber sports athletes to compete in sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, and boom running against the forested backdrop of Wisconsin’s storied Northwoods.

This three-day celebration of strength, precision, and lumberjack tradition unfolds beside Lake Hayward, where spectators spread picnic blankets across the grounds and watch competitors from across the globe battle for championship titles in events that honor the region’s logging heritage.

Thursday opens with amateur log rolling at 8:00 AM, giving way to festival grounds, the Swinging Axe Beer Tent, artisan vendors, and family activities by late morning, with professional quarterfinals and opening ceremonies launching at 5:30 PM.

Friday’s semifinals bring Molly & the Danger Band to the beer garden stage, while Saturday morning’s Lumberjack Run 5K sends participants through town before the championship finals crown the year’s best lumberjacks and lumberjills. Tickets go on sale January 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM Central and historically sell out at the gate, so advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Hayward sits at the heart of a region defined by water, with over two hundred lakes scattered across Sawyer County and the legendary Chippewa Flowage sprawling through the surrounding forest like a liquid maze of bays, islands, and hidden channels. The Flowage alone covers fifteen thousand acres and holds world-record muskie fishing in its depths, while lakes like Namekagon, Lac Courte Oreilles, and Grindstone offer everything from secluded paddling to sandy swimming beaches.

The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame anchors downtown with its four-and-a-half-story fiberglass muskie statue, where visitors climb into the fish’s open mouth for photographs that have become a Northwoods rite of passage. Inside, the museum chronicles the sport’s history through vintage tackle, record catches, and exhibits celebrating the waters that define this corner of Wisconsin.

Beyond the championships, summer visitors find endless ways to fill the long July days. The Wilderness Walk Zoo and Recreation Park spreads across thirty-five acres of Northwoods habitat where children encounter deer, bears, and wolves in naturalistic settings. The Chequamegon National Forest begins just forty minutes from town and offers over three hundred miles of trails through old-growth timber and around crystalline lakes, including routes to Morgan Falls and St. Peter’s Dome that reward hikers with panoramic views of the forest canopy. The CAMBA trail network has earned Hayward a reputation among serious mountain bikers, while casual cyclists can rent bikes from Moon Ski & Bike Shop and explore the fifty-mile American Birkebeiner Trail that transforms from winter’s legendary cross-country ski race into a summer greenway connecting Cable to downtown Hayward.

Dining in the Northwoods means embracing the Wisconsin supper club tradition, and Hayward delivers with establishments that have been serving prime rib, broasted chicken, and relish trays for generations. The Steakhouse & Lodge offers substantial cuts in a classic lodge atmosphere, while Lost Land Lake Lodge serves homemade dinners with lakeside views that make the drive worthwhile. For something more casual, Angler’s Bar & Grill on Main Street pours Friday fish fry alongside cold beer in a room decorated with taxidermied prize catches, and Coop’s Pizza dishes deep-dish pies in a log cabin setting that families have loved since 1979.

Main Street Tacos brings authentic Mexican flavors to downtown, and The Social Kitchen & Cocktails offers craft cocktails and a contemporary menu on a Main Street patio. When temperatures climb, West’s Dairy and Sundaes with Annabell and Charlotte compete for ice cream supremacy with rotating flavors and thick malts, while Tremblay’s Sweet Shop tempts passersby with handmade fudge, truffles, and their new line of gourmet popcorn.

The championships draw families who return year after year for the particular thrill of watching an athlete scale a ninety-foot pole in seconds or ride a spinning log until an opponent splashes into the water below. Children can try log rolling themselves between competitions, and the festival grounds offer the kind of unhurried space where groups spread out, share meals, and let kids run freely. The Swinging Axe Beer Garden keeps adults refreshed while live music drifts across the grounds, and the whole affair carries the welcoming spirit of a community that has hosted this event since the 1960s. Bring folding chairs, blankets, and sunscreen, and settle in for a weekend that celebrates both athletic excellence and the deep-rooted culture of the Wisconsin timber industry.

A stay in the Hayward Lakes region means waking to mist rising off still water, spending afternoons on docks and in boats, and watching fireflies emerge as evening settles over the pines. With so many lakes to choose from and so much Northwoods character to absorb, the Lumberjack World Championships becomes the centerpiece of a longer exploration rather than a single weekend event. Book a vacation rental on Lake.com and give yourself the time to fish the Flowage at dawn, hike the forest trails by afternoon, and return to championship action knowing that your own private lakefront retreat awaits when the last sawdust settles.