As we dive into 2026, we’re thrilled to implement a fresh format for national tournaments in the Hatchet, Big Axe, Knife, and Duals disciplines. This structure is designed to boost competition, engagement, and overall value for everyone involved. You can read all about it here. 

This past weekend, the core competitions delivered some standout performances. Based on the latest updates, we’re proud to announce all of the bid winners for the tournament:

If you’d like to see the bid winners for the knife disciplines, you can check those out on the World Knife Throwing League website here.

The post Results from the Snowdown Throwdown 2026 National Tournament appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

Beginning in Season 1 of 2026, we are introducing an updated Path to WAKTC that simplifies qualification across disciplines, removes trickle mechanics, and creates realistic and tangible targets for earning bids.

We acknowledge that making these changes now can feel sudden, because WATL does not typically make bigger changes once a year has started. We take our stance on that seriously, and that stance will not change. We are continuously committed to providing advance notice for any major updates whenever possible, as we see it as extremely important for participants to know what to expect going into their next league, or competitive year. 

The reason this update deviates from that is because it does not remove bids, reduce access, or disadvantage any competitor currently pursuing qualification. On the contrary, instead it adds and improves circuit point opportunities in both league and tournament competition. This updated system does not change the way competitors play the game or compete in general.

Rather than delaying improvements that increase simplicity and opportunity until next year simply for the sake of notice, we felt it was vital to introduce the system now so competitors can benefit from it immediately and throughout the competitive year of 2026.

WATL & WKTL are proud to present a breakdown of the updated structure below!

League

Below are the milestones to meet on the global leaderboard, rewarded with a bid to WAKTC.

Pro Hatchet bids to WAKTC

• Any 1 season in the top 20*
• Any 2 seasons in the top 128*
• Any 3 seasons in the top 256

*Pro division competitors must attempt at least 28 Killshots in their top performing league (the single league that gets added to the leaderboard that season) in order to be considered for a top 20 or top 128 bid.**

**Error edited and fixed on 2/25/2026. Previous post incorrectly stated all Pro Hatchet competitors, including those vying for top 256 needed 28 Killshot attempts.

Am Hatchet, Big Axe, Hatchet Duals, Knife bids to WAKTC

• Any 1 season in the top 10
• Any 2 seasons in the top 64
• Any 3 seasons in the top 128

Knife Duals bids to WAKTC

• Any 1 season in the top 10
• Any 2 seasons in the top 32
• Any 3 seasons in the top 64

General

• Ties will not be broken.
  • For example, if three (3) competitors have the same score at 128 on the leaderboard in a season; all three individuals would be included as having hit the 128 target for that season regardless if their leaderboard positions were 128, 129 and 130.
• Am Hatchet, Big Axe, and Hatchet Duals disciplines will no longer award Circuit Points via league performance.
• There will be no trickled bids in this system.

Tournaments

Below are the milestones to meet in the three tiers of sanctioned tournaments, rewarded with either a bid to WAKTC, or Circuit Points.

Nationals

• Pro & Am Hatchet, Big Axe, Knife
  • 1-8^th place: Bid
  • Every competitor earns Circuit Points equal to 3 times the number of their wins in group stage 2
• Hatchet Duals, Knife Duals
  • 1-4^th place: Bid
  • 5-6^th place: 20 Circuit Points
  • 7-8^th place: 15 Circuit Points

Regionals

• Pro & Am Hatchet, Hatchet Duals, Big Axe, Knife
  • 1-3^rd place: Bid
  • 4^th place: 15 Circuit Points
  • 5-6^th place: 10 Circuit Points
• Knife Duals
  • 1^st place: Bid
  • 2^nd place: 25 Circuit Points
  • 3^rd place: 20 Circuit Points

Locals

• >32 unique competitors (all disciplines)
  • 1^st place: 15 Circuit Points
  • 2^nd place: 10 Circuit Points
  • 3^rd place: 5 Circuit Points
• <32 unique competitors (all disciplines)
  • 1^st place: 10 Circuit Points
  • 2^nd place: 5 Circuit Points

General

• Any competitor with 50 tournament Circuit Points will be awarded/guaranteed a bid to WAKTC.
  • This sets a clear numerical target competitors can strive for with continued engagement at tournaments.
• Any competitor who completes at least 2 games in a tournament and does not earn a bid or Circuit Points through placement as highlighted above, will earn one Circuit Point.
• The previous year’s World Champions will automatically earn a bid to the next World Championship, however, they will not automatically be the number one seed.
• There will be no trickled bids in this system.

Remaining Bids – Qualifying & Discretionary

Qualifying Throws

The development team is working throughout the year to ensure the process will be smooth and seamless going forward, and the Rules Committee will be working on adjustments to this if necessary for WAKTC X (2027), and any changes will be announced in late 2026.

Discretionary Bids

These are used to recognize throwers from underserved areas and/or those who have made notable contributions to the community and merit an invitation to WAKTC events. Additionally, as they know their local communities and competitors better than anyone else, we open up the ability for Affiliates to nominate competitors for bids as we draw closer to the release of final bids for WAKTC.

Overview

These changes simplify and unify the path to WAKTC across the WATL and WKTL disciplines, and we can’t be more excited about the peace of mind it will give competitors this year. Venues will be able to celebrate bid winners, competitors will be able to lobby for sponsors earlier, and WAKTC attendees will be able to plan as soon as they know. 

Some extra great quality of life changes that come with this new system apply specifically to WKTL! Any venue looking to host a tournament can host a WKTL tournament without having to apply for a limited number of bids, and WKTL tournaments will only have to meet the 8 competitor/6 team threshold to be sanctioned.

Whether someone focuses on league, tournaments, or both, the benchmarks are now clearer, more attainable, and consistent across all disciplines. We at WATL & WKTL are looking forward to seeing how this improves the competitor and tournament host experiences, and how it sets the stage for a more engaging competitive environment.

Thanks to everyone competing in WATL leagues and tournaments in 2026!

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out via email directly to [email protected].

The post Updates to the Qualifying Path for WATKC appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

These competitors worked hard, submitting videos of their very best attempts. Between the highs and lows of those marathon style throws, they have earned their spot at the World Axe Throwing Championship. We thank both the winners, and the others who submitted Qualifying Throw videos. Great throwing, all around!

Without further ado, here’s a huge congratulations to the following winners of each discipline:

Qualifying Throws Bids

Trickle Bids

If you weren’t able to get a high enough score to earn a Qualifying Throw bid to WAKTC IX, don’t worry! We have also processed the next round of bids, trickling down from the first round earners who declined their bids. Those competitors can be found here:

WATL Affiliate Nomination & Discretionary Bids

Last but not least, we have our annual WATL reserved bids – invitations to the competition based on the merit of contributions to the sport and community, as well as (new in 2026!) 6 reserved Affiliate-nominated bids for each discipline! We’re excited to announce those bid winners below:

What’s Next for Bid Winners

There is an extended timeframe for 2nd round bids to accept their bids (March 1, 2026), as well as submit their jersey orders to Sublime (March 2, 2026).

If you find your name in one of the lists above, please keep an eye out for your official WAKTC IX Bid invitation email from WATL starting today, and be sure to check your spam folder if you haven’t received it by 2/8/2026. More bids may be awarded without announcement, to further solidify the expected tournament numbers.

Again, huge congrats to the 2nd round bid winners, another thank you to all competitors who participated in both Qualifying Throws and the 2025 competitive season in general. A MASSIVE thank you to the affiliates who helped not only host & facilitate Qualifying Throws for competitors of WATL, but also those who nominated competitors – every submission we received was heartfelt and supportive. If you’re not an affiliate, please do what you can to support your local WATL affiliate’s business!

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

The post 2nd Round WAKTC IX Bid Winners appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

With the initiative to utilize the 2026 National tournaments as a testing ground (selected due to National hosts being among the most experienced tournament runners), each National tournament will implement the following format*.

*As it will be in development through 2026, the system below is subject to change.

Summary

For the Hatchet, Big Axe, and Knife disciplines only*, the structure at 2026’s Nationals Tournaments will consist of three stages. In stage 1 and 2, ALL competitors will participate in the both of the first two stages. The purpose of this is to improve the competitive experience, as well as increase competitor interaction, engagement and value for the entry, travel, and accommodations costs associated with attendance.

This updated format is to improve the competitive experience overall, by increasing the amount of gameplay in a single tournament, thereby not only making each tournament more lucrative for the competitor, but ideally also driving increased tournament attendance. With a directive to see each tournament more successful than the last, the WATL Tournament Committee carefully collaborated this 2026 test format to increase competitor interaction, engagement and value for the entry, travel, and accommodations costs associated with attendance.

*Hatchet Duals and Knife Duals tournament structures will remain unchanged from the standard, for all tiers of WATL/WKTL tournaments in 2026.

Nationals Tournament Structure

Stage 1: Seeding (Score)

• All competitors participate in Stage 1, which is a round robin-style tournament.
• Seeding for Stage 1 groups is determined either randomly or by tournament host discretion.
• Competitors will be divided into an even number of groups, with each group participating together on a single lane.
• Each competitor will play a minimum of 4 games against different opponents in their group.
• The last two throws of each game must be Killshot attempts.

Wins and Losses do not matter in this stage. Instead, each competitor’s performance in Stage 1 is evaluated based on their standard throw average (the average score of non-Killshot throws), with a bonus for hit Killshots.

Full formula below:

• Stage 1 Standard Throw Average (STA) = average score of all non-Killshot throws in Stage 1
• Stage 1 Seeding Score
  • = (Stage 1 Standard Throw Average × 10) + (2 × ( (1 × # of 7s hit + 2 × # of 8s hit) ÷ Killshot attempts ))
  • For Killshot scoring, each 7 counts as 1 point and each 8 counts as 2 points.

The final seeding scores per competitor will determine seeding for Stage 2.

Stage 2: Knockout  (Wins/Losses)

• All competitors will participate in Stage 2, another round robin-style tournament.
• Seeding for Stage 2 groups is determined by the results of Stage 1 seeding scores. The competitors from Stage 1 will then be snake seeded* into Stage 2 groups.
• Competitors will be divided into an even number of groups, with each group participating together on a single lane.
• Each competitor will play a minimum of 8 games against different opponents in their group.
• Stage 2 games follow standard gameplay rules for each discipline.
• Ties are broken based on the Stage 1 seeding score

The top competitor (based on the highest number of wins) from each group will advance to Stage 3.

*An example of snake seeding below. Please note, assignment is based on number of groups and participants, which will change per tournament.

Stage 3: Finals (Double Elimination)

• Only the top competitors from Stage 2 will participate in Stage 3, a traditional double elimination bracket tournament, with each match being a best 2 out of 3. This follows standard WATL/WKTL rules, played to a final, single champion.
• Seeded based on Stage 2 groups (the group 1 winner earns the 1 seed, and so on)

Additional Guidelines

Hatchet Discipline

• Due to Stage 1 being focused on the individual’s performance instead of a traditional win/loss format, there is an opportunity for both Open and Am division tournaments be combined in Stage 1( Stage 1 only). This is to be determined depending on a National’s Hatchet registration numbers, among other factors and is not a guarantee.

Judging

• All National tournaments require at least one WATL Certified Head Judge.
  • Stage 1 competitors who are not actively competing will alternate judging within their groups.
  • Each Judge officiating a lane during Stages 2 and 3 must be at minimum a Tournament-level WATL Certified Judge.

Competitor Expectations

• Stage 1 & 2 – Competitors are expected to remain at their assigned lane until all group matches are complete.
• Stage 3 – Competitors will have no more than 5 minutes to get to a lane once called for a match.

App Scoring

• Stage 1 (Seeding – Total Points)
  • Each group will be set up in the app as a separate unsanctioned league following current gameplay rules for each discipline, with mandatory kills on the last two throws.
• Stage 2 (Knockout – Wins/Losses)
  • Each group will be set up in the app as a separate unsanctioned league following current gameplay rules for each discipline.
• Stage 3 (Double Elimination)
  • Set up as a sanctioned tournament in the app using current gameplay rules, as a best 2 of 3, double elimination bracket.

Looking Ahead

We’re excited to test this updated tournament structure in 2026 and see how it enhances the competitive experience for all participants.

More gameplay, more interaction, and more opportunities to showcase skills make each National tournament a better value and a more engaging event.

Your feedback will help shape this system, so be sure to complete your tournament feedback forms whenever you attend a tournament.

We can’t wait to see everyone in action on the lanes this year!

The post 2026 Nationals Tournament Format appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

This change responds to feedback from Am competitors who experienced mismatches during tournaments, where some felt they were competing against individuals performing at a Pro level. Addressing this concern helps maintain competitive balance, supports fair play, and ensures that the Am division remains enjoyable for all competitors. It also benefits venues and the overall growth of the sport by keeping players engaged and reducing frustration caused by skill-based mismatches.

In comparing the lowest qualifying Pro bid average against a competitors’ two-season Am Hatchet performance averages, this ensures that only those consistently performing at a Pro level are considered, maintaining more competitive equity across divisions. Competitors identified through this process will be contacted and asked to move to the Pro Hatchet division for the following season in late 2025/early 2026. Any Am Hatchet Championship bids already earned remain valid. This process relies entirely on performance data, making the evaluation fair and transparent.

Looking ahead to 2027, any Am Hatchet competitors who meet the performance criteria may be required to move to Pro. For 2026, these moves are recommendations only, giving competitors time to adjust while ensuring divisions reflect skill levels and preserve competitive balance. The process outlined here may be subject to change as WATL receives community feedback, as well as tangible data to work with. Our goal is to get closer to divisional assignments that truly reflect the competitor pools representing both Am and Pro Hatchet, respectively. Big thanks to the competitive community for the ongoing feedback, patience, and support as we work to develop these procedures going forward!

The post Hatchet Division Change Approvals for 2026 appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

Is your bid status up in the air? Are you waiting on a chance to earn a trickle bid? Take control of your WAKTC eligibility yourself now, by submitting Qualifying Throws! Anyone, as long as they have completed at least one full league (28 games in a single season) in 2025 is eligible to qualify through this program. Leagues that are considered for this eligibility include standard leagues, marathon leagues, AND Flex Leagues!

Whether you just missed the cutoff for earning your bid in the discipline you’d like to compete in, or you were unable to accumulate a good deal of points throughout the standard competitive year for any number of varying reasons, Qualifying Throws are the last, best opportunity to lock in your spot at the World Championship in 2026.

Submission Window

Competitors will have just over five weeks to submit their official Qualifying Throw video for each eligible discipline. Below is the submission period for Qualifying Throws:

Opens: January 2, 2026
Closes: February 1, 2026

Everything You Need to Know

From scoring rules to video setup, submission links to judge requirements, all the official details live on one page.

👉 Review the official Qualifying Throws section of the Qualifying & Tournament Circuit page for more details:

Once you’ve reviewed the Qualifying Throws section above and confirmed your eligibility, follow the form below to submit your attempt! Don’t forget, your Judge will need to set up your attempt in the app as well, by navigating here: https://axethrowing.org/watl/qt

Best of Luck!

The post Qualifying Throws for WAKTC IX appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

Membership Growth & Venue Expansion

In 2025, we continued to add new memberships to the WATL network of affiliated venues. We welcomed 23 new venues. This further solidified our presence as the premier league for competitive axe throwing and brought even more opportunities for enthusiasts to get involved in the community.

Tournaments & Events

This year, the WATL tournament circuit hit new heights with 44 events, including the highly anticipated World Axe Throwing Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Across all competitions, the atmosphere was electric, and the level of competition was nothing short of exceptional.

Year End World Axe Throwing League Stats

These interesting stats include both leagues and sanctioned tournaments around the world!

202,630 Matches Played – 3,804,344 Axes Thrown – 5000+ Throwers

Collective Distance Walked in Lanes

Taking into account the number of matches played and the walking distance between throwing line and the target, we calculated that a total of 94,778,400 feet were walked in World Axe Throwing League Matches in 2025. That’s more than the entire length of the Great Wall of China! Let’s surpass that next year!

2025 World Axe Throwing League Champions

Hatchet Champion: Dylan Teets

Big Axe Champion: Lucas Johnson

Duals Champions: Lucas Johnson & Joe Devine

HATCHET STATS

Highest Score in a Season

Shane Funk & Walden Cox – 1694

Highest Average in a Season

Shane Funk & Walden Cox – 60.5

Most Kills in a Season

Eitan Goldmeer – 77

Perfect Games

There were 27 perfect games played in leagues this year!

BIG AXE STATS

Highest Score in a Season

Tyler Flynn – 1175

Highest Average in a Season

Tyler Flynn – 41.96

Most Kills in a Season

Tyler Flynn – 47

Perfect Games

There were 14 perfect games played in leagues this year!

DUALS STATS

Highest Score in a Season

SHASEY (Shane Funke & Casey Briggs) – 1667

Highest Average in a Season

SHASEY (Shane Funke & Casey Briggs) – 59.54

Most Kills in a Season

SHASEY (Shane Funke & Casey Briggs) – 171

Perfect Games

There were 3 perfect games played in leagues this year!

What’s Next for the World Axe Throwing League in 2026

We can without a doubt say that the World Axe Throwing League had a successful year in 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) is poised for another year of growth, innovation, and excitement. As we enter this next chapter, we’re focused on building on the strong foundation we’ve established and pushing the league to new heights.

Looking to Get Started in Axe Throwing?

Look no further than The Ultimate Starter Kit!

We’ve curated this kit perfectly to those who are just getting started in the sport of axe throwing. The kit includes everything you need to set up and home and get throwing right away.

The Ultimate Starter Kit Includes:

 3 (36″) Cottonwood Boards, 1 Stencil, 1 Set of Refillable Markers (Black, Red, Blue), 1 Whetstone. 1 WATL Axe

The post World Axe Throwing League 2025 Wrapped appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

Throughout 2025, competitors from all over the world have been fighting for their shot at a World Championship title. Whether it’s for Pro Hatchet, Big Axe, Hatchet Duals, or the newly added Am Championship, teams and individuals alike have spent their blood, sweat, and tears for a chance to qualify for WAKTC IX.

Alongside the earned bids below, there are additional bids via Open Qualifiers, and WATL discretionary bids still available for all disciplines. To see if you are eligible for Open Qualifiers in January 2026, review the Qualifiers section on the Qualifying & Tournament Circuit page.

The wait is over. Listed below are the preliminary lists of officially earned bids for WAKTC IX!

If you’ve earned a bid, you will receive your official invite via email (make sure to check your spam inbox if you don’t receive it!) over the next few business days.

Additionally, if you believe that there to be an error directly concerning your bid status for WAKTC IX, please reach out directly to [email protected]

One last, HUGE, congratulations to those who have earned their bids in 2025.

We’ll see you in April next year!

The post WAKTC IX Official Bids Announcement appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

Whether you’re just starting your axe throwing career, a seasoned judge who has volunteered at major tournaments, or someone aiming to become a Head Judge, these updates are designed to provide the resources and structure judges need to be strong authorities on the WATL ruleset.

With help from our fantastic and experienced Judge Committee, these updates aim to equip Certified Judges better than ever before, and create a better experience for everyone participating in WATL sanctioned competition.

New WATL Judge Certification System

Starting in 2026, there are three levels of Judge Certification:

Starting from the entry level, League Judge, each successive level requires the test taker to hold a valid/active certification from the previous level.

For example, in order to become a Certified Head Judge, one would have to already have an up to date Tournament Judge Certification, and in order to become a Certified Tournament Judge, one would have to already have an up to date Tournament League Certification.

League Judge Certification

League Judges oversee local WATL sanctioned league matches, helping competitors understand the rules and ensuring fair, honest play. This level focuses on hands-on application of the WATL ruleset at its most fundamental state, employing the guidelines and practices of the gameplay rules and code of conduct in everyday sanctioned Leagues.

Tournament Judge Certification

Requiring an active League Judge Certification, the Tournament Judge Certification is the next step up from routine league nights or marathons. Certified Tournament Judges have honed their skills and knowledge base to a point that they are able to officiate WATL-sanctioned tournaments from local, regional, national tournaments all the way to the World Championship. They navigate more complex matches, handle closer calls (and see a lot more sudden death faceoffs!), and support tournament organizers in running a professional competitive experience for every WATL competitor.

Head Judge Certification

Head Judges are the paragons of judging excellency; they are the most qualified (aside from the Head of Officiating) to make final rulings, resolve disputes, and ensure every match is conducted fairly and professionally. Beyond overseeing the action on the lanes, Head Judges mentor other judges, help coordinate tournament operations, and uphold the integrity of the competition from start to finish. This certification reflects advanced expertise in WATL rules & events, as well as a commitment to delivering the best possible experience for players, organizers, and spectators alike.

Head Judge Certification

WATL is excited to introduce the Certified Head Judge program, designed to encourage the presence of a highly trained Head Judge at sanctioned play, including leagues, tournaments, and qualifiers. Our past Head Judges were handpicked by WATL, highly knowledgeable, and very limited in number. While they did an excellent job, the demands of traveling to multiple events each year were significant.

This program allows any judge to learn, be tested, and become a Head Judge, expanding the pool of skilled Head Judges available to attend sanctioned competitions.

This certification is not required to run or judge leagues, or to judge at tournaments. It is strictly required only for those who intend to act in a Head Judge capacity for official sanctioned competition.

Updates to the League and Tournament Judge Tests

For 2026, we’ve split the single Judge test into two separate categories: League Judge and Tournament Judge. We removed redundancies, and even combined, the two tests are now shorter than the 2025 test!

All questions have been rewritten to be much clearer, making it easier for returning or hopeful judges to focus on understanding the rules and applying them in real situations, while still ensuring everyone who earns certification has the knowledge needed to keep events fair and consistent.

Pricing & Renewals

League & Tournament Judge Certifications

The League & Tournament Judge Certification will remain at the 2025 baseline rate of $84.99 USD, which covers both certification levels. All judges begin with the League Certification, after which they may take the optional Tournament test at any time without an additional fee. If a League Certified Judge later chooses to upgrade to the Tournament level, it is still included under the same rate, no separate or repeat payment required.

To help us maintain and update the tests including grading, rule changes, and keeping the program accurate and fair, a renewal fee of $19.99 USD will now be required annually from the date of certification. This ensures that the program can continue to provide quality, up to date resources for all judges while keeping initial certification costs stable.

Note – 2025 WATL Certified Judges who successfully recertify at the League Judge level or higher by January 31, 2026 will not need to pay any renewal costs until 2027.

Head Judge Certification

The regular Head Judge Certification rate is $139.99 USD, with a renewal rate of $34.99 USD (which also covers League & Tournament renewals) due annually from the date of certification. The higher rate reflects the advanced level of the certification and the resources required to maintain its testing and grading. The renewal frequency ensures the certification remains current and aligns with the now established WATL certification schedule.

Sign me up!

Like other items on the store, all Judge Certifications and renewals are subject to discounts, including the Affiliate purchase code (APC).

“Attention currently Certified Judges!*

2025 WATL Certified Judges who successfully recertify by passing the 2026 test at the League Judge level by January 31, 2026 will retain valid certification through 2026 at no additional cost. Recertification instructions will be sent to your email. Keep an eye out.”

Here’s to 2026!

These updates are all about keeping the judge program fair, consistent, and well-supported. With clear certification tiers, renewal schedules, and pricing, we can make sure judges have up to date resources, get the recognition they deserve, and keep events running smoothly. The better trained our judges are, the better the experience for everyone, and the more judging can help the sport grow.

We’re grateful for the feedback and support from the community as these changes roll out, and we can’t wait to see more judges step up and make the sport better than ever!

The post 2026 Judge Certification Program appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.

GAMEPLAY RULES CHANGES

Hatchet, Big Axe, Hatchet Duals

• [Gameplay Rules] B.4.ii.d. – Sudden Death
  • 2025:
    • On the second tie or double miss, the Lane Judge will measure the distance from each axe’s closest scoring area to the scoring zone of their respective required Killshots.
  • 2026:
    • Starting on the third sudden death killshot attempt, and on any subsequent attempt during sudden death that is a double miss, the Lane Judge will measure the distance from each axe’s closest scoring area to their respective scoring zones.

Sudden death in games are exciting, high stakes moments where precision is as vital as it gets. The updated 2026 language provides a clearer and more precise framework for how these rounds are resolved. Rather than measuring after the second tie or double miss only, the rule now applies starting on the third attempt and continuing for any subsequent double misses, ensuring equity throughout extended sudden death scenarios as much as possible. This revision clarifies exactly when distance measurements should be applied, addressing the primary point of confusion and debate over rule interpretations in 2025.

• [Gameplay Rules] B.3.iii.d. & B.3.iii.d.1 – Foot Faults
  • 2025:
    • If a competitor touches any part of the lane, equipment, or building past the designated fault line once the lane is active, the current throw will be marked as a fault.
      • A fault may be dismissed by Lane Judge if the infraction is deemed outside the competitor’s control.
  • 2026:
    • If a competitor touches any part of the lane, equipment, or building past the designated fault line once the lane is active and before all scores for the current throw are called by the Lane Judge, that throw will be marked as a fault.
      • A fault may be dismissed at the Lane Judge’s discretion for incidents that occur after all competitors in that lane have thrown and their axes have come to rest.

Although Head Judges have always had the ability to use discretion when assessing faults, and other minor rules interpretations, this update gives Lane Judges the flexibility to make fair calls. clearer guidance and flexibility to make fair calls. Rewritten to provide clearer guidance, this update keeps fault line rules focused on what actually matters: preventing unsafe actions while throwing, and potential competitive advantages. It is a small but important change that maintains fairness and safety, while giving more power to judges to handle unique corner cases within the bounds of the rules.

TOURNAMENT CIRCUIT & LEAGUE REVISIONS

Marathon Leagues

• [WATL Leagues] Marathon Leagues.ii
  • 2025:
    • Venues may host a maximum of two Marathon Leagues per discipline within a single season.
  • 2026:
    • Venues may host any number of Marathon Leagues per discipline within a single season.

Previously, venues were limited to hosting just two Marathon Leagues per discipline each season to prevent any single location from dominating the competitor pool and creating an inequitable environment. With fewer venues now and less saturation in the WATL landscape, this restriction is no longer necessary. Venues can run multiple leagues, giving players more opportunities to compete while maintaining fair and balanced play, and allowing venues to grow their business and engage their communities more effectively.

Multiple Sanctioned Leagues

• [WATL Leagues] Multiple Sanctioned Leagues.iii
  • 2025:
    • Throwers may participate in as many sanctioned leagues as they wish, but only one league per season will be considered for Circuit Points.
  • 2026:
    • Competitors may participate in as many sanctioned leagues as they wish, but only a competitor’s top performing league per season will be included on the global leaderboard, and considered for Circuit Points (League Circuit Points applicable for Big Axe, Hatchet Duals, and Amateur Hatchet only).

This adjustment is a minor clarification to the guidance on a competitor’s participation in multiple leagues; highlighting that only the single highest performing league is eligible for inclusion on the global leaderboard, and also to reinforce that obtaining Circuit Points from league play is not possible for Pro Hatchet division competitors.

Tournaments

• [Qualifying & Tournament Circuit] Circuit Points
  • 2025:
    • All tournaments (regardless of tier) will provide Circuit Points based on the number of participants in each division (calculator linked below)
      • Each division/discipline, in any tier level, must have a minimum of 8 competitors or 6 teams to be considered for bids or Circuit Points
      • Circuit points are awarded to the top 40% of finishers in each division as well as those above a certain league threshold average
  • 2026:
    • All tournaments (regardless of tier) will provide Circuit Points based on the number of participants in each division (calculator linked below)
      • Each division/discipline, in any tier level, must have a minimum of 8 competitors or 6 teams to be considered for bids or Circuit Points
      • Circuit points are awarded to the top 40% of finishers in each division as well as those above a certain league threshold average
      • Completing at least 2 games in any sanctioned WATL tournament awards 1 Circuit Point

This update establishes that completing at least two games in any sanctioned WATL tournament awards 1 Circuit Point in Hatchet, Big Axe, and Hatchet Duals disciplines. A minute change, though one that emphasizes rewarding tournament attendance in a way that remains balanced within the Circuit Point system. Every point matters!

Pro Division

Pro League is being renamed to ‘Pro 128’ 

To more accurately reflect its role within the competitive structure. The new name highlights that this list represents the top-performing 128 Hatchet Pro division competitors worldwide in a season, providing a clear designation that is earned through performance rather than simply by choosing to compete in the Pro division. This change clarifies that the Pro 128 is not a separate or standalone league, addressing previous confusion among competitors and fans who may have assumed that selecting the Pro division automatically placed them in the ‘Pro League’.

[Qualifying & Tournament Circuit] World Axe Throwing Championship. 256 Hatchet Bid Winners

• 2025:
  • Automatic bids will be awarded to anyone who earns Pro League status in at least 2 league seasons within the qualifying year
    • Pro League is awarded to the top 128 competitors (by total season score) on the Pro leaderboard each season
    • Leagues earning Pro status do not need to be consecutive to earn a bid
    • Ties in score will be broken by seeding calculation at the time of leaderboard assessment and documentation
• 2026:
  • Automatic bids will be awarded to anyone who earns Pro 128 status in at least 2 league seasons within the qualifying year
    • Pro 128 is awarded each season to the top 128 competitors on the Global Pro leaderboard after a season has finished.
    • A competitor’s league season reflecting on the final Global leaderboard must also include at least 28 Killshot attempts to qualify for Pro 128.
    • Leagues earning Pro 128 status do not need to be consecutive to earn a bid
    • Ties in score will be broken by seeding calculation at the time of leaderboard assessment and documentation

A Pro division player must attempt at least 28 Killshots in their top performing season (the single season that gets added to the leaderboard) in order to qualify for the Pro 128.

By bringing back the minimum number of Killshot attempts to qualify for Pro 128, WATL ensures that only the competitors at the highest level of performance are recognized as the Pro 128 and can earn direct bids to WAKTC. Required Killshot attempts ensure that the designation of being in the Pro 128 directly reflects performance at the highest caliber, rewarding players who demonstrate skill, consistency, and competitive commitment over the season. 

Together, these updates create an attainable and measurable goal that is prestigious, merit-based, and clearly positioned within the broader WATL competitive framework.

2026 JUDGE CERTIFICATIONS

Keep an eye out next week (week of 10/27/2025) for the release of 2026’s Judge Certification Program!

The post 2026 WATL Rules Updates appeared first on World Axe Throwing League.