Carlisle to Host European Celtic Wrestling Championships in April 2027
Carlisle is preparing to host a major European wrestling competition, bringing traditional athletes from across the continent to Cumbria next spring.
The championships will take place on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 April 2027 at Chatsworth Tennis Club on Saint Aidan’s Road. Organisers expect between 80 and 120 male and female competitors, aged from 16 to 40, alongside hundreds of spectators. Entry will be free, giving local residents and visitors an opportunity to watch the international event and support the English team.
The competition is being organised by the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association, whose wrestlers will represent England. Teams are expected from Brittany in France, Austria, Scotland, Sardinia, Spain and Iceland. The event will be the first senior European Championships hosted in the county since 1999, although the association has continued to organise and participate in international competitions over the intervening years.
Competitors will take part in two traditional wrestling disciplines: Cumberland and Westmorland backhold wrestling and gouren, the traditional jacket style associated with Brittany. Both styles involve wrestlers using controlled holds, throws and trips to bring their opponent to the ground. In backhold wrestling, competitors begin by gripping their hands behind their opponent’s back and must maintain the hold as they attempt to secure a fall.
The two-day programme will alternate between the styles and eight weight categories. On the opening day, four categories will compete in gouren, while the other four will wrestle in the Cumberland style. The disciplines will switch on the second day, before the championships conclude with awards and a celebration. The schedule is intended to give competitors the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in both forms of wrestling.
Association chairman Robert Wharton said the organisers wanted to deliver a successful event while supporting the long-term future of the sport. He also encouraged people unfamiliar with traditional wrestling to attend, explaining that spectators could watch throughout the day or visit for part of the programme. Wharton said the competition would provide an opportunity for local people to support England's wrestlers on their doorstep and discover more about the sport.
The association has a long history in Cumbria, with records of Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling extending back more than 250 years. Its origins are believed to reach further into the past, potentially connected to Viking settlement in the region. The Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association was established in 1906 and became a founding member of the International Federation of Celtic Wrestling, which was formed in 1985 to bring together traditional wrestling styles from different European regions.
The association organises around 52 shows and events annually and operates four wrestling academies across Cumbria. It is also developing a new project in Egremont and has been visiting schools, youth groups and Young Farmers clubs to introduce younger people to the sport. Organisers plan to involve junior wrestlers from local academies during the championship lunch breaks, giving them an opportunity to compete and experience the international event.
Hosting the championships is expected to cost approximately £55,000. The association has already received a Postcode Grant and raised money through crowdfunding at its events, with Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council also supporting the competition. However, organisers are continuing to seek sponsorship and financial contributions to meet the remaining costs. The association will also arrange accommodation and transport for visiting wrestlers and officials during the event.
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