To organize an armwrestling competition, choose your framework (club open or FFForce competition), define the categories by arm (right, left), weight, sex and age, declare the event, open registrations, run the weigh-in, generate the double-elimination brackets, recruit referees, schedule the matches per table, then publish the rankings. Allow 2 to 4 months of preparation.
Step 1: choose the governing framework and the rules
Which governing body for organizing an armwrestling competition in France?
In France, competitive armwrestling falls under the FFForce (Fédération Française de Force), its national governing body since 2022 (the discipline was integrated in 2019, with the delegation made official in the Journal officiel on 28 March 2022). At the international level, it is the WAF (World Armwrestling Federation, founded in 1977) that sets the rules. For an official competition, go through the FFForce and its regional league.
Your first choice shapes everything else. If you are aiming for an official or qualifying competition, go through the FFForce: your club must be affiliated, and you apply the national competitive armwrestling rules, aligned with the WAF rules. It is the recognized route, with licenses and official referees.
If you are organizing a freer open, you can rely on the WAF rules without aiming for the official circuit. Also decide on the scope: right arm only, or right and left; which weight classes; opening to juniors, masters and para-armwrestling. Announce this framework as soon as registrations open so that each athlete enters the right category.
Step 2: define the categories, the arms and the format
What categories in armwrestling?
Athletes are split by arm (right, left), by weight class, by sex and by age (juniors, seniors, masters), with para-armwrestling as well. For men, the weight classes often run around -70, -80, -90, -100, -110 and +110 kg; for women around -55, -65, -75 and +75 kg; the exact limits depend on the chosen rules. Each combination is its own competition.
The format follows double-elimination, specific to armwrestling: an athlete must lose twice to be eliminated. A main bracket holds the winners; on the first loss, the athlete drops into a repechage bracket where they can climb back up to the grand final. The draw is made without seeding, by random draw.
The match itself is played at the table. The two athletes set up, the grip taken according to the referee's instructions, the elbow on the pad. On the signal, each tries to pin the opponent's hand on the touch pad. The referee ensures the fairness of the grip and the holds: two warnings make a foul, and two fouls lose the match. Set in advance, with the referees, the number of rounds per match according to the chosen rules.
Step 3: set the date, the venue and the budget
How long does it take to organize an armwrestling competition?
Allow 2 to 4 months for a first open. Book the venue and set the date from the outset, taking your FFForce league calendar into account if applicable. File the sporting event declaration at least one month before, and open registrations 4 to 6 weeks before the event day.
The venue must accommodate one or more official tables with clear space around them, a warm-up area, a closed room for the weigh-in, changing rooms and public space. The stage must be visible: armwrestling is a spectator sport, where the crowd gathers around the tables. Plan for a day of 5 to 8 hours depending on the number of categories: weigh-in the day before or early in the morning, matches during the day, grand finals at the end of the day.
The budget is built item by item, never as a single figure. It depends on the number of tables, athletes and the equipment you have. The main items: venue rental, tables and equipment, referees and volunteers, public liability insurance, awards, communication. Keep a 10 to 15% margin for contingencies. Only communicate amounts (registration fees) to athletes that you have actually set.
Step 4: check the rules, the governing body and the authorizations
What authorizations to organize an armwrestling competition?
Declare the sporting event to the town hall if it takes place in a single municipality, to the prefecture if it covers several, at least 30 days before, via the official "Sporting events declaration" platform. Take out public liability insurance. For an FFForce competition, your club must be affiliated, the athletes licensed, and you follow the league's specifications.
Beyond the administrative declaration, the governing framework imposes its formalities if you are aiming for the official route. The FFForce requires club affiliation, valid licenses and compliance with the national competitive armwrestling rules. Check the license fees and the entry conditions in force on the FFForce website before announcing an amount to athletes, because the scales are revised each season.
Think about safety: armwrestling heavily strains the humerus and the shoulder, and an unbalanced grip can cause injury. Trained referees, clear instructions on dangerous positions and the presence of a first-aider are essential. Date each step on your countdown plan. Useful sources: service-public.gouv.fr for the sporting event declaration, and the FFForce website for the rules and the procedures.
Step 5: open registrations and close the list
How to manage registrations for an armwrestling competition?
Open an online form where each athlete registers in their category (arm, weight, sex, age), with their club. Approve or reject each request, set a deadline, then close the list. A software avoids double entry and feeds the generation of the double-elimination brackets.
Ask each registrant for: name, sex, date of birth, club, target weight class and arm (right, left, or both). Many athletes compete on both arms: plan for it in the registrations and the schedule. The athlete registers in self-service; the staff approves or rejects each request, and a confirmation email goes out automatically.
With CompetHub, you create your categories by arm and weight, and each athlete registers in their own. The software manages these online registrations and feeds the bracket generation, which avoids recopying an Excel list. The bracket draw is made without seeding, in accordance with the WAF rules.
Step 6: generate the double-elimination brackets
How does double-elimination work in armwrestling?
In double-elimination, each athlete must lose twice to go out. A main bracket holds the winners; on the first loss, the athlete drops into a repechage bracket, where they can climb back up to face in the grand final the last undefeated athlete from the main bracket. This gives everyone their second chance.
This format is hard to manage by hand, because you have to keep two brackets per category and report each result onto them. Decide on the order of the categories, the number of tables in parallel, and the timing of the grand finals (often grouped at the end of the day for the show).
The bracket does not need to be redrawn by hand: a software that generates double-elimination and propagates the results advances the winner on its own into the main bracket and the loser into the repechage, at each match entered. You report the result once, and both brackets update.
Step 7: organize the weigh-in and the table schedule
How does the weigh-in work in armwrestling?
The weigh-in generally takes place the day before the competition (or early in the morning), in a closed room, and sets each athlete's weight class. Depending on the rules, a competitor may compete in their own class or the next class up. Note each athlete's weight and confirm their class before composing the brackets.
Build the schedule around the tables and the categories. With several tables in parallel, spread out the categories so as not to keep athletes waiting, especially those competing on both arms. Account for the setup time of each match and the breaks between rounds. Group the grand finals at the end of the day for the audience.
CompetHub assigns each match a table (free-text label) and a time slot, displays the schedule and flags conflicts (same table in the same slot). Since armwrestling is contested by weight class, the tool also enables the weigh-in: you enter each athlete's body weight, who is re-seeded automatically into the right category if only one fits them (same sex, same age bracket).
Step 8: recruit the referees, the officials and the volunteers
How many referees do you need for an armwrestling competition?
Plan for at least one referee per table, ideally a head referee and an assistant for important matches. They conduct the match, ensure the fairness of the grip and the holds, count the warnings and the fouls and declare the winner on the pin. Add a speaker, a secretary who enters the results and volunteers for reception and safety.
Refereeing is central to armwrestling, as much for fairness as for safety. Trained referees (FFForce officials for an official competition) master the fouls (shoulder crossing the centerline, elbow leaving the pad, irregular grip) and the risky positions. Set the protocol with them before the competition.
Around the referees, plan for the other roles: a speaker to announce the matches and fire up the crowd, a secretary who enters the winners and keeps the brackets up to date, volunteers for reception, the weigh-in, safety around the tables and logistics. Do not confuse the referee (who judges the match) with the organizing staff: these are distinct roles.
Step 9: prepare the equipment and the tables
What equipment for an armwrestling competition?
You need one or more official armwrestling tables (standing or seated), with elbow pads, touch pads (pin pads) and grip handles (pegs), to the regulation dimensions. Add a clear and secure area around the tables, a sound system, chalk, and a way to display the brackets and the match order.
Check the compliance and the stability of the tables, the condition of the pads and the handles, and the regulation height. For an official competition, the equipment must meet the WAF and FFForce dimensions. Plan for grip straps (strap) for matches where the grip breaks, and lighting that showcases the tables.
If you do not own a certified table, renting or borrowing from another club is common. Check everything before the event day. Add the signage, the sound system, a first-aid kit and the catering to your checklist.
Step 10: communicate and fill the competition
How to communicate about an armwrestling competition?
Create a public page with the presentation, the date, the venue, the format (arms, categories, double-elimination, FFForce or open framework) and the list of registrants by category. Share it with the clubs and the strength gyms and on social media, display a countdown and send reminders for the weigh-in. A branded page, accessible without an account, reassures athletes and audience.
Armwrestling is a spectator sport that works very well on video and on social media. Relay your announcement to the clubs, the strength gyms and the local communities, and take care of the staging of the tables. Specify the framework early (FFForce or open, arms involved, categories) because it determines who can register. A public page with a countdown, a presentation and a list of entrants gives a serious image and attracts athletes.
Step 11: manage the matches on event day
How to follow the matches of an armwrestling competition live?
After the weigh-in and the draw, launch the double-elimination brackets. At each match, the referee conducts the confrontation and declares the winner on the pin; you enter the result, and the winner as well as the loser advance automatically in their respective brackets. The brackets and the public page update with no paper sheet.
Event day moves fast. Reception and confirmation of the categories, warm-up, then the matches start table by table. For each match, the athletes set up, the referee gives the start, and the first to pin the opponent's hand wins. You record the winner, and the bracket recomposes.
Live tracking changes the day. When the secretary enters the winner of a match, the winner advances in the main bracket and the loser drops into the repechage, automatically, and the audience sees the brackets update on the public page. This removes the paper sheets and keeps the venue informed. The refereeing of the match, however, remains with the referee.
Step 12: publish the rankings and do the review
How to establish the ranking of an armwrestling competition?
The ranking of each category comes out of the double-elimination bracket: the winner of the grand final wins, their opponent is second, and the loser of the repechage final is third. Each arm and each weight class has its own podium. Publish the results on the public page.
CompetHub keeps the brackets, which update at each match entered, and publishes the results on the public page. You export the list of registrants and the schedule in CSV for your archives. The refereeing of the match and the detail of the rounds remain, for their part, the referee's responsibility.
Once the podiums are established, thank the volunteers, referees and sponsors, do the real financial review against the forecast, gather the athletes' feedback and archive the results and registrations. For an FFForce competition, send the results to your league. This data prepares the next edition.
How much does it cost to organize an armwrestling competition?
How much does it cost to organize an armwrestling competition?
The cost depends mainly on the venue, the tables and the number of referees. Owning or borrowing the tables greatly reduces the budget. At a minimum, count the venue rental, the insurance, the referees, the awards and the communication. Build the budget item by item and keep a margin for contingencies.
Here are the items to plan for, in indicative ranges to adapt to your context (they depend heavily on your region, your venue and your framework).
| Item | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Venue rental | often the top item |
| Tables and equipment (rental or amortization) | varies with the available equipment |
| Public liability insurance | by quote depending on the insurer |
| Referees and officials | variable expense reimbursement |
| Awards (medals, cups, belts) | variable |
| Communication and filming | variable |
| Catering and refreshment stand | variable |
| Contingency margin | 10 to 15% |
On the revenue side: registration fees per athlete and per arm (which you set), the refreshment stand, sponsors (gyms, equipment brands) and a possible grant from the town hall. A quality video capture serves the visibility of the sport and of your partners.
Countdown plan and checklist to organize your armwrestling competition
A countdown plan avoids oversights on the authorizations, the weigh-in and the tables.
- D-4 to D-3 months: choose the framework (open or FFForce), define the arms and categories, book the venue, set the date, build the forecast budget.
- D-2 months: file the sporting event declaration (at least 30 days before), secure the tables and the equipment, recruit the referees, start the affiliation and the licenses if it is an FFForce competition.
- D-6 to D-4 weeks: open online registrations, communicate with the clubs, finalize the displayed rules (arms, categories, format).
- D-2 weeks: close the list, prepare the table schedule and the order of the categories, finalize the equipment and safety checklist, relaunch the communication.
- Event day (and the day before): weigh-in, draw without seeding, double-elimination matches table by table, grand finals, automatic display of the results.
- After: publish the rankings by arm and category, export registrants and schedule in CSV, give thanks, send the results to the league if applicable, do the financial review, archive.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Declaring too late. The sporting event declaration is filed at least 30 days before, and the FFForce affiliation even earlier. Plan ahead from D-2 months.
- Forgetting the double arm. Many athletes compete on the right and on the left: plan for it in the registrations and the schedule so as not to have them go at the same time.
- Managing double-elimination by hand. Keeping two brackets per category on paper is the leading source of errors. Automatic generation and propagation make everything reliable.
- Neglecting the refereeing and the safety. Trained referees and a clear protocol on dangerous positions limit injuries (humerus, shoulder).
- Botching the weigh-in. A poorly run weigh-in skews the categories. Hold it in a closed room, the day before or early in the morning, and confirm each category before composing the brackets.
- Underestimating the show. Armwrestling draws the crowd around the tables: take care of the staging, the speaker and the filming of the grand finals.
FAQ: organizing an armwrestling competition
Which governing body for organizing an armwrestling competition in France?
In France, competitive armwrestling falls under the FFForce (Fédération Française de Force), its national governing body since 2022. At the international level, it is the WAF (World Armwrestling Federation) that sets the rules. For an official competition, go through the FFForce and its regional league; a club open can be organized more freely by following the WAF rules.
What is the format of an armwrestling competition?
The official format is double-elimination: each athlete must lose twice to be eliminated, which combines a main bracket and a repechage bracket. Right arm and left arm are contested separately, by weight class, by sex and by age. The draw is made without seeding.
How does an armwrestling match work?
The two athletes set up at the table, the grip taken according to the referee's instructions, the elbow on the pad. On the signal, each tries to pin the opponent's hand on the touch pad. The referee ensures fairness: two warnings make a foul, two fouls lose the match.
How are categories defined in armwrestling?
Athletes are split by arm (right, left), by weight class, by sex and by age (juniors, seniors, masters), with para-armwrestling as well. The weigh-in, often the day before, sets each athlete's weight class, who may compete in their own class or the next class up depending on the rules.
Can you organize an armwrestling competition for free?
You always pay for certain items (venue, tables, referees, insurance). The management tool, however, can be free: CompetHub is free to start, with no credit card. You manage registrations, double-elimination brackets, results and schedule with no software cost, which lightens the budget of a first open.
What equipment for an armwrestling competition?
You need one or more official armwrestling tables (standing or seated), with elbow pads, touch pads (pin pads) and grip handles (pegs), to the regulation dimensions. Add a clear area around the tables, a sound system, and a way to display the brackets. Check that the tables comply before the event day.
The software to organize your armwrestling competition
Once the method is set, the tool does the rest. CompetHub connects every step of this guide: online registrations by category, generation of the double-elimination brackets, automatic winner and loser advancement, schedule per table, branded public page and CSV export of the registrants. The refereeing of the match, however, remains with the referee. Organize the competition. We bring it to life.
To compare the features in detail, see the armwrestling competition software page.
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