This year, the International Austrian Beard Championships will take place at the Asitz at an altitude of 1,760 metres, where the finest moustaches, goatees, sideburns and full beards will compete for the titles. Saalfelden Leogang is continuing an unusual tradition: the region has previously hosted a Beard Olympics, a World Championship and two European Championships. Just last year, Saalfelden Leogang was the setting for the European Beard and Moustache Championships. On 19 September, competitors will once again be judged on length, shape, grooming, styling and overall appearance. The International Austrian Beard Championships are jointly organised by Saalfelden Leogang, the Leogang Music Band, the East Bavarian Beard & Moustache Club and the Association of German Beard Clubs. This year’s venue is high up in the mountains: the AsitzBräu, situated at 1,760 metres above sea level, will become the meeting point for the international beard community for one day.
From Moustaches to Full Beards
Following registration and a preliminary judging round, the competition will begin with the ceremonial parade of participants and the official opening. The jury will then take a very close look at the competitors’ facial hair. The moustache categories will be judged first, followed by goatees and sideburns, and finally the full beards. The winners will be announced in the evening. The Leogang Music Band will provide the musical accompaniment throughout the day, while the AsitzBräu will serve regional specialities to keep competitors and visitors well fed.
A Hairy Success Story
Saalfelden Leogang is by now no stranger to beard competitions. The region hosted the Beard Olympics in 2005, followed by the first European Beard and Moustache Championships in 2010. In 2015, the international beard elite gathered here for the World Championships, before the European Championships returned to Saalfelden Leogang in 2025. In 2026, this tradition will continue with the International Austrian Beard Championships. At the end of the competition, one thing will be certain: we will know who has earned the title of “Beard King of the Asitz Summit 2026”.
Anyone sporting a championship-worthy beard can still register for the competition.
Programme – 19 September
10.00–12.00 am: Registration, preliminary judging and distribution of competition numbers
12.45 pm: Parade of participants
1.00 pm: Official opening
1.15–2.00 pm: Moustache judging
2.15–3.30 pm: Goatee and sideburn judging
3.45–5.15 pm: Full beard judging
7.00 pm: Awards ceremony and evening entertainment with the “Palmesel Musi”
10.00 pm: Last descent by the Asitz cable car
Programme subject to change.
Ascent to the venue is possible during the operating hours of the Asitz cable car. The regular fares of the Leoganger Bergbahnen apply.
