Following the success of last year's inaugural Basque Shearing Championships held in Abadiño (Bizkaia), the championship continues its tour across the Basque Country; this year, the amazing Juanjo Atxa Mindegia pelota venue in Elizondo (Navarre) will serve as a meeting point for shearers from the Basque Country and around the world.
- In addition to the Basque Country Championship, an international competition will take place featuring teams from the Basque Country, Germany, Scotland, Spain, France, Wales, England, and Ireland.
- It promises to be a spectacular display of high-level technique, speed, and skill, with 80 top-level shearers shearing 1,000 Latxa and Rasa sheep from Navarre.
- A full-day program has been organized, offering a fantastic opportunity for friends and families to enjoy the event together, featuring competitions, woolhandling and spinning demonstrations, a local craft fair with over 30 stalls, food trucks, music, dancing and much much more.
- The championship will be available to watch via live stream on the EAME YouTube channel.
The second edition of the Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship will take place on September 19th at the Juanjo Atxa Mindegia *fronton* (pelota court) in Elizondo. Building on the historic first edition held last year in Abadiño, the *Euskal Herriko Ardi Moztaileen Elkartea* (EAME)—the Basque Country Sheep Shearers’ Association—has organized an extensive full-day program for this year. Running from 08:00 to 20:00, the event offers visitors to Elizondo the chance to enjoy a special day with friends and family. The countdown is underway!
The first edition kicked things off. This year, the championship takes a new step forward and begins its journey across the Basque Country. The goal of the EAME association is to transform the championship into a traveling competition and bring it to all territories of the Basque Country in future editions.
“We launched this project with the first edition in Abadiño. That inaugural event held a special significance, and this year—with the second edition—we want to ensure the project’s continuity, give it momentum, and consolidate it. Elizondo will be the second stop, and our aim is to take the championship across the entire Basque Country,” explained representatives from the EAME association.
The second edition will retain a similar essence and identity to last year, combining the shearing competition with a wide-ranging program of activities throughout the day. Individuals and families visiting Elizondo can enjoy a full day featuring a special program prepared for the occasion.
Up to 80 top shearers from the Basque Country and Europe
Competition will be the main focus of the day, featuring both the Basque Country Championship and an International test. Welshman Llyr Evans is returning to defend his Open title, but the field is strong and it will not be an easy road to the final.
Shearers will compete in two disciplines: machine and blade shearing with Senior and Open competitors.
Up to 80 shearers are invited to take part and places are filling up fast! The blades competition is already full! Technique, speed, precision, and skill will take center stage; competitive shearing transforms an ancient profession into a spectacular event. “Shearing is a profession and it also has a competitive side. One of our objectives is to showcase shearing and woolhandling here in the Basque Country, but also to let the world know who we are. We are not Spanish or French. We are Basque. We speak Basque, Europe’s oldest language and our history, culture and people are unique”, says Joseba Attard, President of the Basque Shearing Association.
Qualifying heats for both blades and machine competition will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. After a hearty lunch, things start hotting up. Semifinals and finals will follow in the afternoon, starting at 3:00 p.m and by the end of the day, the 2026 Basque Country champions, Senior and Open champions as well as the winning international team ofwill be decided.
An all-day programme of activity
In addition to the competition itself, EAME has prepared a full-day program for everyone visiting Elizondo. From 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, attendees will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the world of sheep shearing, alongside the competitions and demonstrations.
The program will feature, among other activities, the Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship, an international competition, wool displays, local products, a craft fair, and many other surprise activities throughout the day. This makes the championship a great event to enjoy with friends and family.
Furthermore, those unable to attend in person can follow the competition live via the *Euskal Herriko Ardi Moztaileen Elkartea* association’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@moztaileak), as the championship will be streamed online.
Showcasing shearing
The goal of the championship is not merely to foster competition in the field of sheep shearing. For EAME, the event also serves to highlight the value and visibility of a profession closely linked to shepherding and the primary sector.
The Basque Country has deep roots in shepherding and livestock farming, and the work of shearers is fundamental to flock management. However, it is an activity that often remains in the background and receives little public attention.
“With this championship, we want to pay tribute to that heritage and showcase the value of an important—yet often invisible—profession: that of the shearer. At the same time, we aim to promote competitive shearing and open the door to this activity for new generations, just as is already happening in many other European countries. Shearing isn’t merely a task that takes place once a year – it is a profession, done by people that love sheep, travel and culture,” explained representatives from EAME.
The association also aims to expand the Basque Country Sheep Shearers project across the entire region. “We intend for the championship to be a traveling event and will do our utmost to hold stops in every territory of the Basque Country. Abadiño was the starting point, and Elizondo is the second stop. Little by little, we would love to reach the whole of the Basque Country,” they added.
The second edition of the Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship is supported by the Baztan Town Council, Reyno Gourmet, the Provincial Councils of Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa, and Laboral Kutxa bank. It also benefits from the collaboration of Artzai Gazta, Ossau Iraty, Venostal, the Juan Celaya Foundation, Gu ere bai, and the town councils of Romanzado, Amaiur, Zugarramurdi, Doneztebe, Atarrabia, and Bera.
EAME wishes to thank all the sponsoring and collaborating entities that make the championship and the event possible, and especially the shepherds—past, present, and future—whose work ensures the shearing tradition remains alive.