World Conker Championships 2026

The World Conker Championships have been held in the village of Southwick, Northamptonshire since 1965, and they are exactly as wonderfully daft as you'd expect. Competitors from around the world gather on a village green to play conkers — the playground game of smashing horse chestnuts on strings — in a single-elimination tournament overseen by judges in white coats. The rules are formal and taken entirely seriously — three strikes each in turn, sixes and stamps strictly prohibited, and the King Conker provides the official conkers to prevent tampering (yes, vinegar-hardened conkers are banned). The atmosphere is joyful — fancy dress, food stalls, live music, and the genuine tension of elimination rounds as the field narrows. The event raises money for charity and attracts a few hundred competitors plus several thousand spectators. Entry is around £7 to compete and free to watch. It takes place on the second Sunday of October when conker season is in full swing. Getting to Southwick involves country roads and limited parking — arrive early. A perfectly British event that takes a silly thing just seriously enough to make it brilliant.