World’s Strongest Man competition returns to California’s capital. Here’s how to see it
The World’s Strongest Man competition returns to the capital this week, bringing 25 elite strength athletes to the city for four days of events at the California State Railroad Museum.
The 2025 SBD World’s Strongest Man runs Thursday through Sunday, marking the third time in its 48-year history the event has been hosted in Sacramento. The competition was last held in the city in 2022.
Organizers say the contest tests more than brute strength. “The World’s Strongest Man competition is about more than just force,” the event’s website states. “It is about stamina, skill, tactics, training and strategy.”
“The World’s Strongest Man competition is about more than just force,” the website said. “It is about stamina, skill, tactics, training and strategy. Every event below is designed to push the Strongmen to their absolute limits, challenging not only their physical strength, but their agility and mental toughness too.”
Seventeen events outside the Old Sacramento museum at 125 I St. will challenge competitors with tasks such as the car walk, deadlift, arm-over-arm pull, squat lift, Hercules hold, overhead press and Atlas stones. Others include Fingal’s fingers, the fridge walk, stone carry, and the titan’s turntable.
Among the top contenders are reigning champion and three-time titleholder Tom Stoltman of Great Britain; his older brother, Luke Stoltman, a two-time European Strongest Man winner; and Mitchell Hooper of Canada, who finished second in 2024. Former WWE wrestler Evan “T-Rex” Singleton, who placed third last year, and Australia’s two-time strongest man Eddie Williams are also competing.
Qualifying rounds are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Finals will be held during the same hours Saturday and Sunday, according to the event website. Fans are encouraged to check the site for updates, as the schedule is subject to change.
As of Monday, the schedule as it stands are the qualifiers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and the finals 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the website said.
This year’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service — a welcome change from the 2022 event, which was held during a May heat wave.
Tickets range from $60 to $225, and are available for purchase at TheWorldsStrongestMan.com. A fan fest area is open to the public at no cost and includes food vendors, local retailers, athlete activations, a free concert and a jumbotron viewing area.
The event is presented in partnership with Visit Sacramento, which helped bring the event to town for three non-consecutive years back in 2021. CBS Sports is expected to broadcast the competition in July but live-streaming will be available on Paramount+.
