Arrive / Practice
Check in at the Panhandle between Cole Street and Clayton Street, find your starting location, and get in a few practice throws before the wood gets serious.
13th annual
California Kubb Championship 2026
Come learn the ancient modern art of throwing pieces of wood at other pieces of wood, then compete for bragging rights and very excellent trophies.
DateSaturday, September 19, 2026
Time10:15am to 2:00pm
PlaceThe Panhandle, between Cole & Clayton
VibeAll are welcome. Truly.
The event
Learn it, throw it, maybe become weirdly invested.
The 13th annual California Kubb Championship returns to the Panhandle. New players, rusty players, serious players, and people who just heard the word "kubb" thirty seconds ago are all invited.
We will teach you how to play. Then, with suspicious speed, you will be competing in a real tournament where small blocks of wood decide your emotional weather for the afternoon.
"The Bay to Breakers of lawn game tournaments with less crime and garbage."
We look forward to your triumph and tragedy.
What to expect
A precise scientific forecast.
Trophiesyes!
Medalsyeah!
Seeding roundyep!
Triumphmaybe!
Humiliating momentsprobably!
Feeling like you should be better than you're doingalways.
Trophies
The past-year trophies are real and they are spectacular.
The photo shows trophies from past tournaments. California trophies by Marissa Winkler. Follow her at @minkler.
Medals, trophies, side-brackets, and the possibility of becoming temporarily insufferable about lawn games are all on the table.
Schedule
Same beloved rhythm. Fresh 2026 date.
Seeding Round
Play three teams in group play. Your win-loss record determines where you land for the trophy rounds.
Trophy Rounds
The top 8 teams go into the California Kubb Championship. The bottom 8 compete in the Emoji Kupp. Lose once and you are still very much in the nonsense.
Final
The great showdown is at last upon us. Best of 3 matches. Drama optional, glory unavoidable.
The scene
Serious competition, deeply unserious hats.
Expect a bunch of happy people in a park, some very confident baton tosses, several surprising misses, and at least one person muttering "how did that not fall?"
Rules
Official USA Kubb rules, plus the 2-4-6 open.
We play under official USA Kubb rules. We use the 2, 4, 6 open: the first team throws two batons with two different players, the second team throws four batons with at least three players throwing, then the first team throws six batons. Six is used throughout after that.
Translation: come ready to learn, compete, and discover that wood has a surprising amount of personality.
Ready?
Register your team, your friend, or your excellent curiosity.
Spots go better when people sign up early. Your future self, standing in a park with a baton and hope, will appreciate it.
Sign up for California Kubb