Participants from 12 different countries have registered for the Wife Carrying World Championships taking place in Sonkajärvi on the first weekend of July, meaning July 3 to 4, 2026. 60 couples will start the main race on Saturday, and six teams will compete in the team competition. Four couples have registered for the women’s category in the main race. 10 couples will participate in the Friday evening sprint competition. Registration for all categories remains open until 10:00 PM on July 1.
“A good number of filming crews have registered for the event, and Yle’s centenary tour will also visit the event on Saturday,” says Venla Luukkonen, Chairman of the Board of Sonkajärven Eukonkanto Oy.
The event will be hosted by Kaj Kunnas together with Olavi Rytkönen. All competitions will be streamed live on the Iisalmen Sanomat website, where the broadcast can be followed for free.
Top domestic artists at the Wife Carrying evening festivities Irina, Uniikki & Spekti, and Henrik Väki will perform at the famous Wife Carrying evening festivities on Friday. Yölintu, Tommi Läntinen, and Ramses II will take the stage at the Saturday evening festivities.
30 years since the first World Championships The Wife Carrying World Championships were organized for the first time 30 years ago in 1996, but due to COVID, two competition years were skipped, so the world championship will now be contested for the 29th time.
“The event arrangements are well underway, and we have brought on board some brilliant partners this year. On Friday, at the opening of the parish market, we will also unveil the renewed Wife Carrying logo, which is also featured on this year’s T shirts,” says Venla Luukkonen.
Additional information:
Venla Luukkonen
Chairman of the Board
Sonkajärven Eukonkanto Oy
mob. +358400195666
