Bizarre World Egg Throwing Championships to return for 20th anniversary

The annual event, which is held in a rural Lincolnshire village, draws in competitors from around the world and involves teams of 'catchers' and 'tossers' battling it out for the top spot

There are many weird and wonderful sporting contests out there you may not be aware of, and to celebrate World Egg Day today (October 10) some people are taking part in a very unusual competition – the World Egg Throwing Championships.

Held in the rural Lincolnshire village of Swaton, the event was founded in 2005 and has seen competitors from all around the world go head-to-head, with New Zealand coming out victorious in the inaugural competition. Each heat sees teams' 'tossers' throw an egg to the 'catchers' over distances that increase by 10m each time.

The five pairs that successfully throw the egg the furthest without smashing it go through to the grand final. Swaton Vintage Day recently announced the 2025 event will take place on Sunday, June 29.

"It might not be javelin, but it is considered an extreme sport," an introductory video on the event's web site states. Andy Dunlop, the World Egg Throwing Federation President, adds: "People have said egg throwing isn't a real sport – but of course it is.

"It's not like javelin where you've just got a guy throwing a pointed stick down a field – this you've got to throw the egg over an ever-increasing distance and you've got to catch it at the far end without breaking the egg. Nobody in javelin throwing tries to catch the javelin."

The 2024 event saw British three-times world champions Joe Wilson and Brad Greenwood retain their crown with a distance of just over 50m. Brad explained the key to success to Poland Daily: "It's all about egg selection. If you get an egg that's too round you can't use it – you need the more pointy ones. And the small and compact ones - they're more solid. You need a nice looping throw." Joe added: "With soft hands!"

Past competitor Dr Ben Nicholson shared footage of his experience on X, penning in a caption: "It wasn't to be today at the world egg throwing championship, making it to the 30m mark with a partner who can only throw 20m. Coming back stronger next year #eggonmyface.

As well as egg throwing, the fun day also plays host to a series of other egg-themed events including the World Russian Egg Roulette Championship, the Egg Throwing Static Relay and the World Egg Trebuchet Challenge.

According to the event's hosts, £100,000 has been raised over the years for local, national and international good causes including over the years including Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, L I V E S, McMillan Cancer Support, children's hospices and local churches and community centres.