On September 20, the most magnificent beards from across Europe will gather in Saalfelden Leogang for the European Beard Championship. More than one hundred participants from all over the continent will compete for the coveted title.
The Pinzgau region is no stranger to beard competitions. In fact, it has a long-standing tradition in hosting such events: the Beard Olympics were held here in 2005, the European Beard Championship in 2010, and finally, the legendary Beard World Championship in 2015. Back then, 318 beard artists from 20 nations – ranging from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates – presented their extraordinary creations to an audience of around 1,500. After several hours of judging, the international jury crowned 18 world champions. The USA claimed six titles, followed by Germany with five and Austria with four. With beard spans reaching over one meter, the event became an unforgettable spectacle that drew wide media attention – something that is once again expected for this year’s hair-raising European Championship.
“We are delighted to once again host such an extraordinary competition. The European Beard Championship combines humor, tradition, and international flair – a perfect match for our region,” says Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik.
In 2025, beards will be judged in four main categories: mustache, partial beard (chin and sideburns), full beard, and barber style. Evaluation criteria include length, density, shape, grooming, and styling, with the jury assessing both the personality and craftsmanship of the participants.
The competition begins in the gymnasium of the Leogang Secondary School with the ceremonial parade of participants and the official opening. Afterward, a panel of expert judges will carefully evaluate every detail of the bearded masterpieces. For the audience, the event promises to be a feast for the senses: in addition to the visual highlights, the Leogang brass band and regional culinary specialties will provide lively entertainment.
Registrations for the 2025 European Beard Championship are still open. Anyone who believes their beard has what it takes to be crowned European champion should not miss this unique opportunity.
Program Highlights:
• 10:00–12:00: Registration, pre-jury assessment, and start number distribution
• 13:00: Parade of participants
• 13:15: Official opening
• 13:30–14:30: Judging of mustaches
• 14:45–16:00: Judging of partial beards (chin and sideburns)
• 16:15–18:00: Judging of full beards
• 19:30: Awards ceremony and evening entertainment
