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Kubb in Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wis., knows a thing or two about the lawn game, Kubb. Okay, it knows a lot about Kubb actually. In fact, Eau Claire is the official “Kubb Capital of North America.” The city hosts the annual U.S. National Kubb Championships, set for July, drawing upwards of 125 teams from all over the country. In case you wanted to know, the World Championship is held on an island of Sweden. Not familiar with this sport of Viking roots? We can help. For more info, visit usakubb.org.

What is Kubb?

Kubb is a lawn game where the object is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing wooden sticks at them. The game has been described as a combination of bowling, horseshoes, and chess. A bit of trivia for you: It is also known as “Viking Chess.”

How Do You Pronounce It?

So you won’t be shy about bringing up the game in sports conversations around the water cooler, here’s the correct pronunciation: koob. Rhymes with tube and rube.

How Did the Kubb Culture Get Started In Eau Claire?

In 2007, Eau Claire hosted the first promoted and official tournament in the U.S. Much of the thanks for that goes to our local tournament director, Eric Anderson. Eric and his wife visited Sweden in 2002 and that’s when he discovered the game of Kubb. Once he got back to the U.S., he didn’t play. Anderson returned to Sweden a few years later to attend graduate school and was re-introduced to the Nordic lawn game. This time back in the U.S., Eric did a little research and learned there were no Kubb tournaments in America. So, in 2007, Eric launched the Midwestern Kubb Championships and has never looked back.

You might say Kubb is a culture unto itself in Eau Claire. Move over cornhole, here comes Kubb. Interesting side note: In 2017, there were more than 30 tournaments in the U.S., with roughly one-third of those in Eau Claire, WI.

Aside From the Tournament, What Else is There?

Introduction to Kubb starts young, with the game played as part of the physical education curriculum in grade schools and during the summer months through the parks & recreation department. You can try your hand at it when you dine at The Lakely restaurant – they have a Kubb court right outside. It’s not unusual to see pick-up games at the city’s music festivals such as Blue Ox and Country Jam. Along with the U.S. National Championships, there are Kubb tournaments and events all year long, including a winter series played on the sand at The Complexx at Wagner’s Lanes. Check out the Eau Claire Kubb League - the LARGEST Kubb league in the world that plays in and around Eau Claire in the spring, fall, and winter.

How do You Play Kubb?

Kubb is easy to play. Play with as many as six people and as little as one person per team. It might just be a perfect date night yard game. Check out the official rules here.

How Long Does a Match Usually Take?

Depending on skill level, a match can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, sometimes longer. There is no set time limit for a match.

Do You Have to be A World-Class Athlete to Play?

The great thing about Kubb is that anyone can play. Literally anyone. All ages and skill sets.

Any Funny Sayings or Fan Chants?

It is not uncommon for teams competing in the U.S. National Kubb Championship to choose a fun, kubb-incorporated name. Some examples from the past include “Boyz in tha Kubb,” “California Rekubblic,” “IceKubbs,” “Strawberry Khubarb Pie,” “Rubik’s Kubbs,” “Tasteful Side Kubb” and “Ya, sure, kubbetcha!”

Where Can You Buy A Kubb Set?

Kubb sets are available for purchase at The Local Store.

Where Can You Rent a Kubb Set?

Visit Eau Claire, in partnership with Eau Claire Public Arts Council (ECPAC), collaborated with local high school art teachers and students to add art to 24 kubb sets. Participating area high schools include Altoona High School, Chippewa Falls High School, Memorial High School and North High School in Eau Claire. The kubb sets were gifted to the region’s hotels so they can be displayed and available for free check-out at various establishment concierge desks. Here is a full list of hotels that the Kubb sets can be checked out with more to come soon:

Where Can You Play Kubb in Eau Claire?

Kubb is played on a small rectangular field known as a pitch. Kubb should be played on a flat surface. You'll find a playing pitch at places like Brewing Projekt, Complexx and The Lakely. But remember, Kubb can be played on any flat surface, including in the snow! Read about additional top playing spots here and check out the videos below, one by Discover Wisconsin that shows ways you can enjoy winter in Eau Claire, including a game of Kubb.

Learn how Eau Claire became the Kubb Capital of North America with Eric Anderson, Founder of U.S. National Kubb!

Kubb isn't just played when the grass is green; it can be played in snow too! And here in Wisconsin, that's just the way we like it!

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