Kubb, a Swedish lawn game where the goal is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing batons at them, is the focus of this part of our guide.
Also known as Viking Chess, Kubb is a traditional Scandinavian lawn game with a history that may go back to the time of the Vikings, who are believed to have played the game more than a thousand years ago.
However, the modern version of the game originated in the 1980s. Initially popular in Sweden and Denmark, the game spread to Europe in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, the game reached the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Kubb is played in backyards, beaches, and parks, with several clubs and associations dedicated to the game.
Kubb game pieces consist of ten wooden blocks, known as Kubbs, and one larger, crowned Kubb, referred to as the King. The smaller Kubbs are each about 6 inches tall and 2 inches square, distributed evenly along the baselines of the field. The King Kubb is about 12 inches tall and 3 inches square, and placed in the center of the playing field. The game also includes six batons, cylindrical sticks around 12 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter.
Field markers are used to define the corners of the rectangular playing field, typically measuring 16 feet by 26 feet. The ten Kubbs are split evenly between the two baselines, five Kubbs on each side. The King is placed in the center of the field.
The game can be played with from two to six players, divided into two teams. The objective of the game is to knock over all the opposing team's Kubbs and then the King. Players take turns throwing the batons, attempting to knock over the Kubbs.
If a Kubb is knocked over, it is then tossed by the opposing team into their half of the field and stood up, becoming a field Kubb. Teams must knock over the field Kubbs before they can target the Kubbs on the baseline. If a player knocks over a base Kubb before toppling all the field Kubbs, the throw doesn't count. The opposing team can reposition the base Kubb.
Whenever a penalty Kubb is placed, it must be at least one baton-length away from the corner stakes or King.
Once all of an opponent's Kubbs are knocked over, the team can attempt to knock over the King. Knocking over the King before all baseline Kubbs are down results in an instant loss.
Strategies involve a combination of skill and tactics. Players need to develop a consistent throwing technique, taking wind direction and speed into account. Throws must be carefully planned, considering which Kubbs to target and when to aim for the King.
When tossing Kubbs into the opponent's half, strategically placing them in difficult positions increases the challenge for the opposing team.
Often played as an informal backyard game or at family gatherings, Kubb is also a highly competitive sport.
The Kubb World Championship, held annually in Sweden, brings top players from around the world together to compete for the title. The championship follows a standardized ruleset, and teams are required to use official Kubb sets, ensuring consistency and fairness across all matches.
The U.S. National Kubb Championship has been held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin since 2007. Another major Kubb event in the United States is the U.S. Kubb Open. The European Kubb Championship brings players from across Europe together to compete for the title of European Champion. Kubb It Up is a popular Kubb tournament held in various United States and Europe locations.
Online resources for the game of Kubb are appropriate for this category, although retail sites should be listed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.
Recommended Resources
Kubb EM - European Championship
Dedicated to the Kubb EM - European Championship, an annual event that brings together Kubb players from across Europe to compete in various categories. Presented by the European Kubb Federation, the upcoming Championship location, schedules, chill-out location, system, rules, team strength, certificates, cups, drinks, food, games sets, and registration contacts and data are set forth on the site, which includes videos, locations, hotels, and hostels, some data only available in German.
https://kubb-em.hpage.com/
Formed by a group of Kubb enthusiasts who have played together and competed against each other in many tournaments around the United States and Canada, Kubb United sponsors the U.S. Kubb Open, which will be open to players of all skills, ages, genders, and nationalities that want to compete and discover new abilities. An introduction to the organization is provided, along with the rules of Kubb, information on how to run a Kubb tournament, sponsors, and an informational blog.
http://www.kubbunited.com/
Kubb World is a project initiated by Frederic Aerts, a web developer who lives in Belgium and is interested in math, web experiments, and Kubb. The website's purpose is to promote the game of Kubb, facilitate Kubb organizations in promoting their activities and themselves, build and strengthen a worldwide community of Kubb players, and make playing the game of Kubb an even more enjoyable experience. The game, its rules, upcoming tournaments, and associations are highlighted.
https://www.kubb.world/
Tyr's Tre is a Kubb team in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, officially the Kubb Capital of North America. Eau Claire is home to the U.S. National Kubb Championship, the Pre-Championship, the largest weekly league in the world, Eau Claire Kubb League, and other tournaments and events. The website is also home to the Dallas, Wisconsin Oktoberfest Kubb Tournament and Kubbnation Magazine, each of which is highlighted here, with schedules, tips and rules for the game, and game results.
https://www.tyrstrekubb.com/
U.S. National Kubb Championship
Held annually in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the U.S. National Kubb Championship is the largest Kubb tournament outside of Europe. Established in 2007, the tournament typically takes place in July and attracts players from over twenty states. The Championship includes various categories, such as the main U.S. Championship for experienced players and the Kid Kubb Championship for younger players. Schedules, results, rules, contacts, and a history of the event are featured.
https://www.usakubb.org/
Featuring the UK Kubb Championship, an annual event that brings together Kubb players from across the United Kingdom for a weekend of competitive play and socializing. The championship has been growing in popularity and features players of all skill levels. The next UK Kubb Championship is highlighted here, including event details, online team registration, a history of the event, press information, a gallery of photographs, online forms for contacts, and a newsletter subscription.
https://www.ukkubb.org/
