Myrtle Beach, S.C. (February 5, 2026) – Global sports marketing agency IMG today announced the 49th World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competition will return to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from April 23-26, 2026. 

The quest for the title of SBD World’s Strongest Man (WSM) will once again take place at the Oceanfront at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place. The competition will begin with qualifying rounds on Thursday and Friday, with final competitions on Saturday and Sunday, where a champion will be crowned. 

In partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach, this year’s competition will offer reserved general admission seating around center stage for the four-day, action-packed competition.

For nearly half a century, competitors have been pushed to their physical and mental limits throughout a powerful series of events. Past events have included the Hercules Hold (a fan favorite where athletes use chains to keep two 160kgs pillars either side of them upright), the Keg Toss, Axe Hold, Atlas Stones and many more.   

Past competitors include defending World’s Strongest Man champion Rayno Nel (RSA), who was the first rookie to win the competition since 1997, three-time champion Tom Stoltman (GBR) and his older brother Luke Stoltman (GBR), 2023 champion Mitchell Hooper (CAN), and more.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the World’s Strongest Man competition back to downtown Myrtle Beach for another exciting showcase of live sports action,” said Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach. “This world-class competition has exceeded our expectations each year we’ve hosted it, bringing in competitors and fans from across the globe and putting Myrtle Beach on the world stage. Our community has wholeheartedly embraced this event and we’re looking forward to the economic and recreational impact that it brings to our entire region.”

Ticket information, the competing athlete roster, event schedule and a link to apply for media credentials will be announced at a later date. 

For more information and the latest updates on SBD World’s Strongest Man, follow @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram, @theworldsstrongestman on TikTok, @WorldsStrongest on X, @theworldsstrongestman on Facebook, @theworldsstrongestman on Threads or visit http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com.

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About IMG: 

IMG is a leading global sports marketing agency, specializing in media rights management and sales, multi-channel content production and distribution, brand partnerships, strategic consulting, digital services, and events management. It powers growth of revenues, fanbases and IP for more than 250 federations, associations, events, and teams, including the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, the AELTC (Wimbledon), Euroleague Basketball, CONMEBOL, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR. IMG is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company. 

About World’s Strongest Man:

Created in 1977, The World’s Strongest Man has become the premier event in strength athletics. For over 40 years, the strongest men on the planet have come together in a series of unique and amazing tests of strength to determine The World’s Strongest Man. The competition has travelled to stunning and varied locations such as Zambia, Iceland, Mauritius, Malaysia, Morocco, China and the USA.

For over three decades, The World’s Strongest Man has tested the limits of human strength, power, and endurance. The best strongmen on the planet and the most demanding challenges including Fingal’s Fingers, Truck Pull, Dead Lift, Giant Farmers Walk, Plane Pull and the Atlas Stones have made the event a highlight in the TV calendar and the show a family favorite with a worldwide audience of over 220 million people.