For years, the Shaw Classic and Strongest Man on Earth became must-watch events in the strength world.
What started as Brian Shaw’s vision grew into one of the most respected competitions in Strongman, attracting elite athletes, massive fan support, and some of the most unique equipment the sport has ever seen.
But now, Shaw has confirmed the event is officially over — and not just for next year.
Speaking candidly about the future of the competition, the four-time World’s Strongest Man explained that despite multiple conversations behind the scenes, there is currently no path forward that makes sense for the event to continue.
“We have had a number of different talks and conversations about Strongest Man On Earth and Shaw Classic and how to make it make sense for that event to come back,” he said. “Unfortunately, all of those conversations have not made sense.”
The announcement marks the end of an era for Strongman fans who watched the competition evolve from a passion project into one of the sport’s premier showcases.
Shaw made it clear that the decision was not taken lightly.
As he reflected on the journey of building the event, he spoke emotionally about the people who helped make it possible — from his family and team to volunteers, athletes, and fans who supported it from day one.
“And as you guys know, we poured so much of ourselves into that event,” Shaw explained. “You know, the Shaw Classic, starting it, making it happen. So, you know, myself, Keri, my team, all the volunteers, all the athletes, all the fans. I mean, there are so many people that played a part in the growth of the Shaw Classic and Strongest Man on Earth and where it got to.”
Shaw admitted he was “very, very proud” of what the event became and what it gave back to the sport.
“I think, you know, speaking for myself, I was very, very proud of the event,” he said. “I was very proud of what we were able to do, what we were able to give back.”
That emotional attachment, however, ultimately could not outweigh the realities involved in organising a competition of that scale.
Shaw explained: “And you know that’s what has made this so difficult going through this process and having these conversations because that X factor of love for an event doesn’t necessarily translate into the bottom line when you’re talking dollars and cents. And there’s a lot of other factors that come into this as well.”
While finances clearly played a role, Shaw also pointed to the growing personal sacrifices required to continue running the competition year after year.
The retired Strongman explained that his priorities have increasingly shifted toward family life, particularly as his children get older.
“Above everything else, I will say that, you know, my family, my boys, as they’re getting older, I want to be around,” he said. “I want to be present.”
“And the time that it takes away from my family to put on the Strongest Man on Earth and the Shaw Classic and the sacrifices that have to be made by not only me, but my team as well increasingly got more difficult over the years.”
For many fans, the Shaw Classic stood apart because of its athlete-focused presentation and the atmosphere surrounding the event.
Shaw acknowledged how much he and his team loved seeing people travel to attend, watch the competition unfold, and experience strongman at that level.
“I know a lot of people are, you know, potentially going to be disappointed because they love the event,” he said. “They love coming, and we love the event.”
“We loved having, you know, people come and be motivated and the athletes and seeing people happy and, you know, that’s um, you know, the part that we did love without a doubt.”
But despite the affection surrounding the show, Shaw then delivered the clearest indication yet that the competition is not simply on pause.
He said: “The reality of the situation we are in right now is that the Shaw Classic and Strongest Man on Earth are not coming back. So they’re not coming back in 2026. They’re not coming back in 2027.
“They’re not coming back, and that is for the foreseeable future.”
While Shaw did leave the door slightly open for a dramatic change somewhere down the line, he stressed there are no active plans for any return.
“Obviously, we still own those trademarks,” he said. “So if something were to train change drastically in the future, then that may open the door.”
The announcement became even more definitive when Shaw revealed the organisation is now liquidating the equipment used for the competition.
Over the years, Strongest Man on Earth became known for its custom-built apparatus and brutal events designed specifically to push elite athletes to their limit.
Now, those pieces are set to be sold off.
Shaw explained: “We’ve made the decision that we are going to liquidate all of the equipment from the Shaw Classic from the Strongest Man on Earth. If you’re watching this video and you’re interested in some of that equipment, please reach out to us and let us know.”
Shaw added that he hopes the equipment continues to serve the sport elsewhere rather than simply sitting unused.
“I would love for the equipment, you know, to go out to go to good homes, um, you know, potentially be used again. Obviously, that’s why it was created to give back to the sport of Strongman.”
By the end of the announcement, the emotion behind the decision was impossible to miss.
After years of building the competition into one of the defining events on the strongman calendar, Shaw admitted he is struggling with the reality of closing that chapter.
“I’m sure that a lot of people will be sad,” he said. “I’m sad, obviously, sitting here and saying that to answer the question, but that’s the decision that we have come to.”
Featured image credit: Brian Shaw / YouTube
