World Conker Championships go ahead in Southwick on Sunday after fears over undersized conkers

One of sport's most eccentric world titles is safe for another year. Organisers of the World Conker Championships have confirmed that the 59th edition will go ahead in Southwick, near Oundle in England, on Sunday, 11 October, after worries that this year's conkers would be too small to play with. The committee met on Monday, 5 October, and decided that enough large, playing-quality horse chestnuts can be found across Britain and Europe.

Why the event was in doubt

A conker is the seed of the horse chestnut tree. For the championships, organisers need nuts with a circumference of roughly 12 to 13cm (about 4.5 to 5 inches), large enough to survive a series of hard strikes. After a wet spring, a summer heatwave and damage from the leaf miner moth, there were fears the 2026 crop would come up short.

Chairman Jim Packer told local paper LincsOnline that the committee was surprised by how many good conkers were still on the trees despite the weather. Offers of help came from around the country and from abroad, including Ireland, and English Heritage's Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire encouraged visitors to gather conkers for the event. Organisers say around 2,500 premium conkers, threaded onto leather bootlaces, will be used.

How a conker world title is won

The rules are simple. Two players take turns to swing their conker at the opponent's, which hangs still on its lace. Play continues until one conker breaks, and the winner moves on through the knockout rounds. Players do not bring their own conkers; every nut is supplied by the organisers so that no one gains an unfair advantage. Junior and adult competitions run side by side.

About 256 competitors and up to 2,000 spectators are expected at the Shuckburgh Arms on Main Street, with play starting at 10am local time (5pm in Malaysia). Adult places have sold out, and entries for 2027 open on Monday, 12 October.

Champions, a steel conker and a new royal line

Matt Cross is the reigning world champion after beating women's champion Mags Blake in last year's grand final. The Conker Cowboys hold the team title.

The event is still remembered for the 2024 row over a steel conker found on David Jakins, the long-serving "King Conker". Organisers accepted that he had carried it only as a joke, and he was cleared. The steel conker will be on display this Sunday, well out of players' reach. Jakins is stepping back because of poor mobility, and the championships plan to crown a new King and, for the first time, a Queen Conker.

A charity event at heart

The championships began in 1965 and have raised nearly £500,000 for charities that support people with sight loss, including Guide Dogs and the RNIB's Talking Books service. Allica Bank is backing the event again this year.

Key takeaways

• The 59th World Conker Championships take place on Sunday, 11 October 2026 in Southwick, near Oundle, England.
• Organisers confirmed on 5 October that enough playing-size conkers are available despite a difficult growing year.
• Around 256 players and up to 2,000 spectators are expected, with play from 10am UK time (5pm Malaysia time).
• Matt Cross is the defending men's world champion; a new King and first Queen Conker will be crowned.
• The event has raised almost £500,000 for sight-loss charities since 1965.

FAQ

When and where are the 2026 World Conker Championships? Sunday, 11 October 2026, from 10am on Main Street in Southwick, near Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Why was the event at risk? Organisers feared the 2026 conkers would be too small after extreme weather, but a review on 5 October found enough large ones.

Can players bring their own conkers? No. All conkers are supplied by the organisers so that every player competes on equal terms.

Sources: LincsOnline, World Conker Championships, Dull Men's Club