UK Aufguss Championships 2026.
20 - 22 April 2026.
Galgorm Resort, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Experience world-class Aufguss performances and witness the next generation of Sauna Masters compete for international glory.
Competition categories.
New for 2026 is a combined format of two competitions taking place in one event. Not only does this bring new energy to an already dynamic and exciting event, but it offers a diverse experience for guests and a richer platform for established Sauna Masters and rising talents.
Performance Aufguss.
Singles and Teams deliver immersive, theatrical performances featuring aromas, music and dazzling towel movements that manipulate the heat, delivering a heady and awe-inducing experience for the audience.
Winners: Represent the UK at the Aufguss World Championships Finals at Satama Sauna Resort, Germany (September 2026)
Runners up: Qualify for Play-Offs at Thermen Bussloo, Netherlands (August 2026)
Modern Classic Aufguss.
A new category in the UK for 2026. Open to Singles only, this competition celebrates the roots of Aufguss with a focus on traditional technique, ritual structure, and refined heat distribution.
Winner: Qualifies for the World Finals in Farris Bad, Norway (2026)
Want to watch the competition?
Location.
Galgorm Resort.
136 Fenaghy Road
Ballymena
County Antrim
Northern Ireland
BT42 1EA
Book your place.
£85
day pass
OR
£190
overnight stay for 2 people
Joining us for the day? You can book your place directly with Galgorm on their website. Price includes Thermal Village and Aufguss access, and lunch.
If you'd like to join us for both days of the competition, Galgorm Resort are offering accommodation packages to attendees.
Please note the discounted rate is now sold out and a limited number of full price rooms remain.
To book, call Galgorm directly on 028 2588 1001.
Getting there.
By air.
Belfast International Airport (15 miles)
George Best Belfast City Airport (25 miles)
By train.
Ballymena Railway Station (4 miles from resort)
By car.
Free parking available on site.
2026 Programme
Tuesday 21 April
10:00 – Opening Aufguss with Robert Zidek and Eliska Zidek Blazek
11.00 – Anna Sorjonen - Modern Classic
12.00 – Alison Yates -Performance Aufguss
13.00 - Lunch
14.00 – Ray Thompson -Modern Classic
15.00 – Chandler Davis - Performance Aufguss
16.00 – Exhibition Aufguss – Robert Zidek
17.00 – Zak Moore - Modern Classic
18.00 -Jena Robinson -Performance Aufguss
19.00 – Jack Strange - Modern Classic
20.00 -Exhibition Aufguss – Iver Eriksen
Wednesday 22 April
10:00 – Zak Moore & Jack Strange - Competition Aufguss
11.00 – Charlotte Jalley -Modern Classic
12.00 – Exhibition Aufguss – Robert Zidek
13:00 – Lunch
14:00– Dan Lawson – Performance Aufguss
15.00 – Meg Hopkinson - Modern Classic
16.00 – Exhibition Aufguss – Eliska Zidek Blazek
17:00 – Chandler Davis - Modern Classic
18.00 – Kyle Buttner – Single
Headline sponsor
Finnmark Sauna are the official headline sponsor of the UK Aufguss Championships 2026 and we couldn't be prouder to say so.
From the very first year, Finnmark haven't just sponsored the event. They've shown up, cheering on our competitors at international competitions, celebrating our artists, and helping build something that genuinely matters to the UK sauna community.
Their support is rooted in a shared belief: that Aufguss deserves to be taken seriously, and that the community around it is worth investing in.
A huge thank you to Jake, Max, and the whole Finnmark team. Your belief in what we're building means everything to us, and to every competitor who's stood in that sauna and given it their all.
2026 Participants
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Kyle Buttner
Performance Aufguss
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Chandler Fox
Performance Aufguss & Modern Classic
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Jena Robinson
Performance Aufguss
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Alison Yates
Performance Aufguss
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Dan Lawson
Performance Aufguss
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Zak Moore
Modern Classic & Team Performance Aufguss
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Jack Strange
Modern Classic & Team Performance Aufguss
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Meg Hopkinson
Modern Classic
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Anna Tiia Sorjonen
Modern Classic
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Ray Thompsom
Modern Classic
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Charlotte Jalley
Modern Classic
With thanks to our sponsors
International jury and Aufguss champions supporting UK Aufguss
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Jury: Lasse Eriksen
President, Aufguss WM
Belgium
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Jury: Christina Boring
International Jury
Denmark
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Jury: Heonsok Kim
Vice President of Japanese Sauna Association
Japan
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Caroline Schraag
International Jury,
Netherlands
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Eliška Blažková
Czech National Champion, Team & Single
2nd place Team, Aufguss WM 2022 -
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Róbert Židek
Czech National Aufguss Champion 2019, Team
Single Champion, Aufguss WM 2021
Recap from UK Aufguss Championships 2025.
How can I learn more about Aufguss?
