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OFFICIAL WSL DOCUMENT

REGULATIONS

World Strongman League official competition rules and franchise requirements. All WSL events operate under these regulations in conjunction with WSM Rules & Regulations.

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DOCUMENT
WSL Competition Regulations
VERSION
1.0
SEASON
2026
ISSUED BY
World Strongman International Union
STATUS
Active
CONTENTS
01
COMPETITION FORMAT
→
02
TEAM COMPOSITION
→
03
DISCIPLINE SCORING
→
04
DISCIPLINE SELECTION
→
05
FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTS
→
06
ANTI-DOPING
→
07
KIT & BRANDING
→
08
BROADCAST & MEDIA
→
01
COMPETITION FORMAT
WSL operates two official formats: 5×5 League and 2×2 Battle.
All competitions are governed by WSM Rules & Regulations.
WSL Technical Committee oversees all sporting decisions.
Protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of discipline completion.
All results are final after Technical Committee review.
02
TEAM COMPOSITION
5×5 League: 5 active athletes (3M + 2W) + 2 reserves (1M + 1W).
2×2 Battle: 2 active male athletes + 1 male reserve.
All athletes must hold a valid WSM athlete license.
Athletes compete in their registered weight category only.
Reserve athletes may substitute before match start — not during.
03
DISCIPLINE SCORING
Each discipline is contested as a 1v1 duel between paired athletes.
Winner of each duel earns +1 Discipline Score (DS) for their team.
5 disciplines per match — draw is mathematically impossible.
Match winner: team with higher DS total earns +1 League Point (PTS).
Tiebreaker in standings: total DS accumulated across all matches.
04
DISCIPLINE SELECTION
5×5 League: 5 disciplines selected from WSM pool of 21 per match.
2×2 Battle: 5 disciplines selected from pool of 8 per match.
Host team submits discipline selection 21 days before match date.
Must include: 1 overhead · 2 carry/movement · 1 strength · 1 final event.
WSL Technical Committee reserves right to modify selection for safety.
05
FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTS
Franchise owners must purchase territory license from WSL before season.
License grants exclusive rights to represent the territory for one season.
Annual renewal required — no automatic qualification for champions.
Franchise owner responsible for athlete contracts, travel and accommodation.
WSL sets minimum squad size, insurance and anti-doping requirements.
06
ANTI-DOPING
All WSL competitions follow WADA and WSM anti-doping protocols.
Athletes subject to in-competition and out-of-competition testing.
Positive test results in immediate disqualification and suspension.
Team may be docked points for athlete violations depending on severity.
Anti-doping officer present at all WSL sanctioned events.
07
KIT & BRANDING
All kits must conform to WSL Kit Zone Specification (Z1–Z4).
WSL badge mandatory on left chest of both home and away kits.
Kit designs must be submitted 30 days before season start.
Sponsor logos must be WSL-approved before placement on kit.
Unapproved kit results in default kit assignment by WSL.
08
BROADCAST & MEDIA
WSL retains global broadcast rights for all sanctioned competitions.
Teams granted local social media rights for their own content.
Media zones and interview areas mandatory at all WSL events.
Minimum broadcast package: YouTube live stream + post-event highlights.
OTT platform rights negotiated separately by WSL central office.
DISCLAIMER

These regulations are subject to amendment by WSL and World Strongman International Union. All amendments will be communicated to franchise owners with minimum 30 days notice before taking effect. In case of conflict between WSL Regulations and WSM Rules & Regulations, WSM Rules & Regulations shall prevail.

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