All eyes are turning toward the 2026 season and, in the context of Strongman, the so-called ‘Big Four’ competitions. However, as per Brian Shaw’s recent YouTube video, one of the biggest competitions of the season, the Strongest Man On Earth, will in fact not take place. Shaw talked about why he decided to skip 2026 but revealed that he still holds an optimistic spirit.
The future of the Strongest Man On Earth has been under a big question mark following the most recent edition, as Brian Shaw made it clear that it is impossible to continue organizing the competition in the same format. However, up until now, it was still unclear if Brian and his team would find a way to organize the competition or not. Unfortunately, after six straight years of putting on the Shaw Classic / Strongest Man On Earth, Brian will, most likely, skip 2026.
Related: Brian Shaw Reveals The Prize Purse for 2025 Strongest Man On Earth
Brian Shaw Talks About The Future of Strongest Man On Earth
Brian Shaw and his team were constantly trying to scale up the competition, hoping to give an enjoyable experience to the fans and a platform for the athletes to showcase their skills. This required a lot of work backstage in the days leading up to and after the competition. It wasn’t just the physical exertion that took a toll, but rather the personal sacrifices made by Brian, his wife, and their team. Moreover, Brian did not walk away with any profit, as he made sure to increase the prize purse for the athletes.
“And it was after the contest. I think it was 2 days after the contest. I was still moving equipment, and everybody was gone. And it was, you know, 10 or 11 o’clock at night and I was sitting on a trailer… The wooden crate of blobs wasn’t loaded on the trailer. I had given every part of my being, my soul, to that weekend, and I literally just had to sit down. I remember I just sat down and I was like, “If that was all I had to do, it’s not the end of the world…” But I just remember I was broken. I took myself, and this was not the first time I had had a feeling; this was just the strongest feeling that I’d had: my soul is like broken.”
On the other hand, Brian Shaw and his wife also had to sacrifice the time they spent with their kids and family. So, despite their desire to continue organizing the show, both of them realized that their health and family are more important.
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“We can’t take ourselves to that breaking point. It’s tough to say, and I don’t like it, believe me, because I’m competitive, and I don’t like saying that we can’t go to that point, for our family, for our health, for just our well-being in general. We just can’t do that even though there are so many good things.”
Not everything is so dark and gloomy, since Brian Shaw is currently trying to find a solution that would ensure the continuation of the competition while also making it a bit easier to organize. He is leading many conversations regarding this topic, but, as things currently stand, Brian has not reached an agreement. So, while the 2026 Strongest Man On Earth will probably not happen, there is still potential for a return in 2027 or later. Brian is under an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) in regard to some of his meetings, which is why he couldn’t reveal too much information.
“So again, conversations are still ongoing and that’s as much as I can give. I wish I could give a definitive update, but as far as people planning trips, as of right now, I wouldn’t plan a trip. I would not plan a trip to come to Colorado for the Shaw Classic weekend because right now, you know, we’ve let the venue know they can release our dates and the hotel has released our dates.”
Brian Shaw is still holding on to a glimmer of hope that some changes can be made in the near future. However, he still wanted to clear up the situation and confirm that the Strongest Man On Earth will not take place unless some extraordinary opportunities arise. At the end, Brian and his wife expressed their gratitude for the support that they received over the years and for all the incredible moments that occurred, but also that they “have to take a step back for a year”.
“But in 2026, at least at this point, we have to say that we’re skipping 2026. And then hopefully some of the conversations escalate, some things get better and then potentially there may be a chance in 2027 to do it. And again, we still have time if some of the conversations that are ongoing happen. But, you know, I don’t want to sit here and say, ‘Hey, yep, let’s hold out all the hope in the world and we’re going to bring it back in 26.’ I would love to say that, but you know, the reality is something has to happen for it to come back.”
Watch the full video here:
Related: Mr. Beast Challenges Brian Shaw To a Tug-of-War Against a Lion
The Strongest Man On Earth and the Shaw Classic have been huge for the sport lately. It quickly became a fan favorite because it offered one of the biggest prize purses in strongman, brought in all the top athletes, and featured really unique events that you just didn’t see anywhere else. While it is unfortunate that the 2026 Strongest Man On Earth will not take place, hope remains that the competition will return at a later point.
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