International Axe Throwing Day
June 13
About International Axe Throwing Day
International Axe Throwing Day takes place every year on 13 June and celebrates the fast-growing sport of urban axe throwing. Created by the World Axe Throwing League (WATL), the day brings together throwers, venues, and curious first-timers around the world to mark a pastime that has gone from logging camps to high-street entertainment venues. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 13 June.
How to Celebrate International Axe Throwing Day
The whole point of the day is to pick up an axe and have a go, so the best way to mark it is to get throwing. Here are some ideas:
- Book a session at a local axe throwing venue – Most cities now have dedicated venues with coaches who teach you the basics and supervise every throw, so no experience is needed to take part safely.
- Find a WATL-affiliated venue – The World Axe Throwing League lists more than 300 affiliated venues across roughly 20 countries, so you can find a regulated lane wherever you are in the world.
- Gather a group of friends – Axe throwing works brilliantly as a team activity, whether it is a birthday, a stag or hen do, or a work social. Many venues run bracket-style mini tournaments for groups.
- Join a league – WATL runs seasonal leagues at affiliated venues where throwers of all abilities compete weekly and climb the official leaderboard. The day is the perfect excuse to sign up.
- Learn to score a match – Standard WATL scoring runs 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point across the rings, with a red bullseye and a small blue “killshot” ring at the top corners. Knowing the rings makes watching and playing far more fun.
- Build a regulation target at home – If you have the space, you can build a WATL-spec target for a garage, barn, or backyard. Always set up a proper lane with a safe throwing distance and a clear run-off behind the boards.
- Watch the pros – WATL events and the World Axe Throwing Championship are streamed and televised, so you can study technique from the best throwers in the sport from your sofa.
- Share your throws online – Post your bullseyes, your near misses, and your first sticks using the day’s hashtags to help spread the word and grow the community.
What is International Axe Throwing Day?
International Axe Throwing Day is an annual celebration of axe throwing as a sport and a social activity. It was created by the World Axe Throwing League to raise awareness of the sport, unify the growing community of throwers, and encourage newcomers to try something a little different. The spirit of the day is simple: relieve some stress, have fun with friends and family, and discover a hobby that almost anyone can pick up. It is observed by hobbyists, competitive throwers, and venues across the globe, with many offering open days, taster sessions, and special events.
When is International Axe Throwing Day?
International Axe Throwing Day is held on 13 June every year. It is a fixed date, so it does not move around the calendar. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 13 June, which makes it especially well suited to a weekend visit to a venue or a backyard session with friends.
The History of International Axe Throwing Day
While throwing an axe is an ancient skill, the celebration itself is a recent invention. International Axe Throwing Day was launched in 2017 by the World Axe Throwing League, the global governing body founded that same year by representatives from Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Ireland. The league set out to standardise rules, certify venues and officials, and run sanctioned leagues and tournaments, and the day became part of its effort to bring throwers together and put the sport on the map.
The activity behind the day reaches back much further. Throwing axes was a practical and martial skill for centuries: the Franks of late antiquity used the francisca, a short-handled throwing axe, and competitive accuracy contests grew out of the logging camps of nineteenth and early twentieth century Canada and the United States, where lumberjacks tested each other with their work axes after long days in the forest.
The modern social version of the sport is usually traced to 2006, when Matt Wilson began throwing axes in his backyard in Toronto. That informal group became the Backyard Axe Throwing League, which opened its first commercial venue in Toronto in 2011. From there, urban axe throwing spread rapidly across North America and beyond, paving the way for both the World Axe Throwing League and the day that now celebrates the sport. If you enjoy active, get-involved celebrations like this, you might also like Go Skateboarding Day, which shares the same hands-on, just-give-it-a-try spirit.
Fun Facts About International Axe Throwing Day
- The World Axe Throwing League was founded in 2017 by representatives from four countries: Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Ireland.
- WATL oversees more than 300 affiliated venues across roughly 20 countries, making axe throwing a genuinely global pursuit.
- In a standard WATL match, each thrower throws ten axes, and the highest combined score across those throws wins.
- The small blue rings in the top corners of a WATL target are “killshots” worth more points, but they are only valid if a thrower calls for one before throwing.
- The sport’s modern revival began in a Toronto backyard in 2006 before the first commercial venue opened in 2011.
- No previous experience is needed to start: most venues require only a short safety briefing before your first throw.
Why International Axe Throwing Day Matters
Beyond the novelty, the day champions an activity that is social, accessible, and surprisingly good for stress relief. It supports a growing network of small businesses and community venues, gives people of all ages and abilities a reason to try something new, and helps a young sport build its identity and following. For many, the appeal is simply the satisfying thunk of a blade hitting the board with friends cheering them on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Axe Throwing Day?
It is an annual celebration of the sport of axe throwing, created by the World Axe Throwing League to raise awareness, unite the community of throwers, and encourage newcomers to give it a go.
When is International Axe Throwing Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 13 June 2026. The date is fixed, so it is always observed on 13 June.
Do I need experience to try axe throwing?
No. Affiliated venues provide coaching and a safety briefing before you throw, so complete beginners can take part. Sessions are supervised, and the rules are easy to pick up in a few minutes.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best bullseyes and first sticks on social media with #InternationalAxeThrowingDay and #AxeThrowingDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to take part!
Related Awareness Days
- International Surfing Day – Another hands-on sporting celebration that encourages people to get active and try a board for the first time.
- International Tennis Day – A global celebration of a participation sport that, like axe throwing, welcomes players of every level.
- Go Skateboarding Day – A worldwide day built around grabbing your gear and simply having a go, in the same spirit as Axe Throwing Day.
Links
- Visit the official International Axe Throwing Day page at the World Axe Throwing League
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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