1. The Wife Carrying World Championship
Sometimes, people take fun to a whole new level, and Finland’s Wife Carrying Championship proves it. This quirky contest started as a local laugh but has become a global event where men carry their wives through obstacle courses filled with mud, water, and hurdles. The funniest part? The winner takes home the wife’s weight in beer. Couples train seriously for it, but the atmosphere remains playful, full of laughter and cheering. It’s a perfect example of how love, teamwork, and humor can blend into one of the world’s strangest yet most heartwarming competitions.
2. The World Toe Wrestling Championship
If you thought wrestling was limited to arms, think again. In England, toe wrestling has been a real sport since the 1970s. Competitors sit opposite each other, lock toes, and try to force their opponent’s foot to the ground. It’s bizarre, but also strangely entertaining to watch. Some participants even practice foot strength exercises before competing. The event draws crowds every year, all eager to see who will win the title of toe wrestling champion. It’s one of those traditions that sound silly at first, yet people can’t help loving its carefree and lighthearted spirit.
3. The Cheese Rolling Festival
Every year in Gloucestershire, England, thrill-seekers chase a large wheel of cheese down an incredibly steep hill. What starts as a simple race turns into a chaotic tumble of bodies rolling after the bouncing cheese. Many people fall, but that’s part of the fun. Locals and tourists gather to cheer, laugh, and occasionally gasp at the daring runners. The winner gets to keep the cheese, though most agree the real prize is surviving the slope. It’s messy, unpredictable, and perfectly British, showing how tradition and humor can turn even cheese into a thrilling competition.
4. The Air Guitar World Championship
In Finland, competitors perform legendary guitar solos without instruments, strumming invisible strings in front of cheering crowds. The Air Guitar World Championship is all about confidence, passion, and performance. People dress in costumes, leap across the stage, and pretend to shred to rock classics. There are no real notes, but the energy feels real. What started as a joke has become a respected contest where creativity and charisma matter more than music itself. It celebrates imagination, reminding us that sometimes pretending can be just as joyful as actually playing the tune.
5. The World Beard and Moustache Championship
Facial hair takes center stage at the World Beard and Moustache Championship, where participants turn beards into works of art. Some sculpt intricate curls, others craft wild shapes that defy logic. Categories range from natural to freestyle, each judged on creativity and style. It’s part pageant, part art show, and part friendly competition. The event celebrates individuality, with contestants proudly showing off months or even years of growth. What began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has grown into a global phenomenon that honors self-expression and the charm of a well-groomed beard.
6. The Bog Snorkeling Championship
Deep in the Welsh countryside, competitors dive into murky peat-filled trenches for the annual Bog Snorkeling Championship. Wearing snorkels and flippers, they swim through thick brown water using only their fins for movement. Traditional swimming strokes are banned, adding to the hilarity. Spectators laugh, cheer, and sometimes hold their noses as brave snorkelers emerge from the bog covered in mud but smiling proudly. It’s an event that proves adventure can come from the most unexpected places, showing that fun doesn’t always need glamour, just a bit of courage and a good sense of humor.
7. The Baby Crawling Race
Japan’s baby crawling races might be the cutest competitions ever. Parents line up their infants on mats and cheer wildly as the tiny contestants crawl, or sometimes cry, toward the finish line. Some babies refuse to move, while others zoom ahead like little athletes. The crowd laughs, cameras flash, and everyone enjoys the wholesome chaos. There are no losers here, just proud parents and adorable memories. It’s a celebration of innocence, patience, and unpredictability. What makes it special is how something so simple brings pure joy to families and spectators alike, proving competition can be heartwarming too.
8. The World Gurning Championship
In Egremont, England, contestants gather each year to pull the funniest, weirdest faces imaginable through a horse collar. The World Gurning Championship is pure comedy, filled with twisted expressions that make everyone laugh. Some competitors have become local legends for their incredible flexibility and creativity. It’s said that gurning originated centuries ago as a fairground entertainment, but it has evolved into a much-loved tradition. Watching it is impossible without smiling, as people contort their faces in hilarious ways. It’s a reminder that humor and self-expression can turn even silliness into cherished culture.
9. The Extreme Ironing Championships
Imagine ironing a shirt on a mountain, underwater, or while skydiving. That’s exactly what participants of the Extreme Ironing Championships do. Combining adventure with domestic duty, competitors press their clothes in the most outrageous locations possible. The goal is to achieve a perfectly ironed garment while showcasing creativity and bravery. It began in the UK but now attracts daredevils worldwide. Some see it as a protest against boring chores, others as performance art. Either way, it’s proof that humans can make a sport out of anything when fun and imagination meet.
10. The World Black Pudding Throwing Contest
In the small town of Ramsbottom, England, people gather each year to throw black puddings at a pile of Yorkshire puddings perched high on a platform. The goal is to knock them down, and competitors take the challenge surprisingly seriously. The event celebrates local pride and friendly rivalry between neighboring regions. It’s silly, messy, and joyful, drawing crowds who cheer every successful throw. Some participants even wear costumes for extra flair. It’s one of those traditions that make no practical sense but continue because they bring laughter, unity, and delicious memories to everyone involved.
11. The Pumpkin Regatta
In Nova Scotia, Canada, giant pumpkins are hollowed out, turned into boats, and raced across a lake. Contestants paddle furiously, some dressed as pirates or superheroes, as the crowd cheers from shore. The sight of enormous orange vegetables floating like canoes is both hilarious and impressive. A few competitors tip over mid-race, but they laugh it off, waving to the audience. The Pumpkin Regatta blends creativity, humor, and small-town charm into one unforgettable event. It’s not about winning; it’s about celebrating imagination and community spirit with a splash of pure pumpkin fun.
12. The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships
In Finland, participants gather to see who can throw a mobile phone the farthest and with the most style. The contest started as a humorous protest against outdated technology but has since become an annual event attracting people from all over. Some competitors use old flip phones, while others add a dramatic spin or scream for flair. There’s even a category for freestyle throws. It’s a lighthearted way to release frustration and laugh at how attached we’ve become to gadgets. Here, breaking phones isn’t destruction, it’s oddly therapeutic and strangely entertaining.
13. The Annual Mud Olympics
Each summer in Brunsbüttel, Germany, hundreds of athletes dive into muddy tidal flats for the Mud Olympics. Events include football, tug-of-war, and even mud skiing. The slippery surface makes everything unpredictable and hilarious. Competitors end up covered from head to toe, and no one leaves clean. The goal isn’t just to win—it’s to have fun, laugh, and embrace the mess. The crowd cheers for every stumble and splash, celebrating the joy of play without perfection. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes getting dirty is the best way to feel alive.
14. The Man vs Horse Marathon
In Wales, runners and horses race side by side in a 22-mile test of endurance and wit. It began decades ago when someone jokingly wondered if a man could outrun a horse over long distances. To everyone’s surprise, runners have actually won several times. The route winds through hills, rivers, and rough terrain, making it a true battle of stamina. Spectators love the suspense, and both species cross the finish line exhausted but proud. It’s one of those playful rivalries that remind us humans never tire of proving the impossible possible.
15. The Rock Paper Scissors World Championship
What started as a simple childhood game has become a global competition of skill and psychology. At the Rock Paper Scissors World Championship in Toronto, players study their opponents, looking for subtle patterns and nervous tells. Matches are intense, with cheers erupting after every quick victory. While it sounds ridiculous, the strategies can be surprisingly deep, and winners earn real respect. It’s proof that even the smallest games can bring people together. From cheese rolling to phone throwing, these bizarre contests show that joy hides in the oddest corners of human creativity.
This story 15 Bizarre Competitions That Sound Like April Fool’s Jokes but Really Happened was first published on Daily FETCH
