Brian Shaw , the legendary four-time World's Strongest Man, recently announced that his signature event, the Strongest Man on Earth (SMOE) competition (also known as the Shaw Classic), will skip 2026 after six successful years.

This decision stems from organizational challenges, including venue availability, financial pressures, and the immense personal toll on Shaw and his family. In a candid YouTube video and podcast from late December 2025, Shaw shared that they've released dates at their Colorado venue and hotels, urging fans not to plan trips.

Why the Pause?

Shaw poured his "soul" into SMOE, but post-2025 burnout hit hard—he described feeling "broken" after the event. Key factors include:

  • Logistical hurdles : Difficulty securing consistent venues and scaling operations without a team effort.
  • Behind-the-scenes frustrations : Past issues like ungrateful partners in related events (e.g., armwrestling crossovers) added stress.
  • Family priority : Shaw and wife Keri emphasized needing a "step back for a year" to focus on health.

“In 2026, at least at this point, we’re skipping 2026... Hopefully some conversations escalate... potentially a chance in 2027.”

Fan and Forum Reactions

Reddit buzz (r/StrongmanHQ, r/armwrestling) mixes disappointment with understanding:

  • Many call it a "dark day" for strongman, praising SMOE's elite athlete draw.
  • Criticism: Shaw's sensitivity to feedback and solo leadership made it hard to sustain.
  • Optimism: Hopes for a 2027 return or others stepping up; respect for his post-athlete legacy.

Perspective| Key Viewpoint| Example Quote
---|---|---
Fans| Gutted but supportive| "Dark day... hope he reconsiders for 2027." 5
Critics| Organizational flaws| "Overly sensitive to feedback, struggles with delegation." 5
Athletes/Community| Gratitude for impact| "So many want to be there... respect for what he's trying post-athlete." 7

Health Context

Shaw has faced private health battles , including a near-leg amputation from infection (older incident) and a 2025 hospital stay over his anniversary. No major 2026 updates, but these underscore why he's prioritizing recovery amid event stress.

Looking Ahead

As of January 2026, no 2026 SMOE , but Shaw's in talks (under NDA) for tweaks to revive it later. Strongman fans eye the "Big Four" events filling the gap, with throwbacks to Shaw's 2016 WSM glory. He's still active online, staying optimistic.

TL;DR : Brian Shaw's pausing Strongest Man on Earth in 2026 due to burnout and logistics—possible 2027 comeback.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.