The Northern Ireland Tug of War Association is proud to announce that it will host the 2025 British & Irish Outdoor Tug of War Championships, from Thursday 24th July to Saturday 26th July, at St. Luke’s Hospital Grounds, Armagh. This prestigious event, held in conjunction with the Richhill Tug of War Club, promises to be a thrilling celebration of strength, strategy, and sportsmanship – with special significance as Richhill commemorates its 50th anniversary.
A Historic Occasion in the Heart of Armagh
This year’s championships mark an important milestone for Richhill Tug of War Club, which has been “on the pull” for five decades. Founded in the small village of Richhill, just a few miles outside Armagh City, the club has become one of Northern Ireland’s most respected teams, enjoying success at World, European, UK, and British & Irish levels in both indoor and outdoor competition.
The selection of Armagh as the host city not only celebrates this legacy but also provides a fitting backdrop, with many of Richhill’s training roots tracing back to locations near the event venue, including the historic Palace Grounds.
Three Days of Elite Competition
The action kicks off on Thursday 24th July with team weigh-ins held at the Fisher Bar, Armagh City Hotel, from 12:00 to 18:00, followed by a Team Briefing and B&I Commission Meeting in the evening.
Competition officially begins on Friday 25th July, starting with a grand Opening Ceremony at 09:30. The day’s events include a full slate of closed weight categories:
- Senior Men 600kg & 680kg
- Senior Women 520kg & 560kg
- Junior Men 560kg
- Junior Ladies 520kg
- Junior Mixed 540kg
- Senior Mixed 580kg
Weight stamping sessions begin at 07:30 and continue throughout the day to ensure smooth progression of matches. The Gala Dinner, to be held Friday evening at the Armagh City Hotel, will feature the official medal ceremony for all closed weight classes.
On Saturday 26th July, the Open Championships will take centre stage, with early morning weight stamping at 08:00 followed by a full schedule of competition starting at 09:30. Categories include:
- Senior Men: 600kg, 640kg, 680kg, 560kg
- Senior Women: 500kg, 520kg, 540kg, 560kg
- Junior Men 560kg
- Junior Ladies 520kg
- Junior Mixed 540kg
- Senior Mixed 580kg
Accommodation & Gala Celebrations
To ensure a comfortable and festive stay, participants are encouraged to book accommodation at the Armagh City Hotel, which is offering a range of exclusive packages for championship attendees. Room options include single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms, with prices starting from £127pps. All packages include full Irish breakfast, access to the hotel’s fitness and leisure facilities, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi. Bookings must be made directly with the hotel by calling 028 3751 8888 and quoting “Tug of War”.
The highlight of the social calendar, the Gala Dinner on Friday 25th July, will feature a four-course meal, sparkling wine, and a delightful dessert medley. Tickets are priced at £39.00 per person, and bookings should be made through Richhill Tug of War Club via email: richhilltow@outlook.com.
Accreditation and Deadlines
All teams are reminded to complete their accreditation via the official form here: Accreditation Form. Accreditation and payment must be submitted no later than Monday 21st July to avoid delays at weigh-in.
We look forward to welcoming teams and spectators from across the UK and Ireland to Armagh for what promises to be a spectacular and memorable British & Irish Tug of War Championships. Let the pull begin!
NITOWA 