STAFF NOTE: Ope, Lemme Just Kubb Right Past Ya!
for this V1er, the U.S. Kubb Championship is like every major holiday wrapped into one
Super Bowl Sunday, opening day in baseball, first day of deer hunting season. What do these sports all have in common? On their own merit, not that much. Look further and you'll see the connecting thread: the excitement that each sport brings to its audience!
Here in Eau Claire – since 2007 – Eric Anderson (and a buttload of folks supporting the event and setup) has brought the U.S. National Kubb Championship to our front door. And every year, it grows. Not just in number of participating teams (a world record of 144 teams was hit last year, with the same amount registered this year!) but also in hype!
Literal hundreds flock to the soccer fields off of Hamilton Ave. for one weekend in July to hit wood blocks and compete in this odd Viking-era game, in hopes of calling themselves the U.S. National Kubb Champions!
Kubb has grown in popularity not just in E.C. but all over the country. At the tournament this year, 25 different states were represented – as well as some international attendees! With leagues popping up everywhere too, it proves kubb is the only way to unite this country.
See our photoset from the 2025 U.S. National Kubb Championship online:
Still don't believe the hype? Kubb has had such an impact locally that Fireside Productions – made up of locals B.J. Hollars and Steve Dayton – has been working on a documentary film titled Kings of Kubb the past couple of years. (They were the two guys walking around all day with big video cameras at this year's event.)
To me, and maybe to you, kubb is a yard game that unites us. Grab a beer, take your shoes off, make a friend, and hit a block for once in your life. Live a little. Who knows, maybe you have what it takes to be the next U.S. National Kubb Champion.
For now, you'll find me taking my walnut kubb set out and tossing batons back and forth saying, 'Ope, sorry! Lemme just kubb right past ya!'
Did you miss this year's tournament? View our recent photo set online to catch a glimpse of the action and your favorite teams play against one another, to victory!
