Hutchinson Selected to Host 2026 NHPA World Doubles Championship
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The National Horseshoe Pitching Association has selected Hutchinson to host the 2026 World Doubles Championship, bringing hundreds of elite horseshoe pitchers from around the globe to Kansas for the three-day competition.
The championship will take place Oct. 9-11, 2026, at the horseshoe pitching mounds in Rice Park, hosted in partnership with the Rice Park Ringers Horseshoe Club, Visit Hutch announced Monday.
"This marks a significant milestone for the local community and highlights Hutchinson's growing reputation as a premier destination for national sporting events," said Holly Leiker, director of national sales and sports events for Visit Hutch. "After years of building the relationship with the NHPA, we are excited to work with their team and the Rice Park Ringers to host this Championship."
The announcement was made during this year's NHPA World Championship in Salt Lake City, where Visit Hutch representatives were present to celebrate the selection.
The World Doubles Championship represents a major coup for Hutchinson's sports tourism efforts. The tournament will bring hundreds of elite horseshoe pitchers from across the globe to Hutchinson for three days of competitive play, camaraderie, and community engagement.
The Rice Park Ringers runs a sanctioned league on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. from the first Monday of April through the last Monday of October, and hosts practice sessions every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. starting the third Wednesday of March through the last Wednesday of October, weather permitting.
The local club has experience hosting major tournaments, with Hutchinson hosting seven sanctioned tournaments during recent seasons and serving as host for the Kansas state championship in even-numbered years.
Rice Park, located at 1801 Swarens St., features multiple recreational facilities beyond horseshoe pitching, including three baseball and softball fields, which include one high school baseball field and two baseball/fastpitch fields. The park also offers a walking path that visitors can easily access the Jim P. Martinez Sunflower Trail and the many activities available at the park.
The NHPA governs horseshoe pitching competition across the United States and internationally, with state charter organizations operating under national standards. The World Doubles Championship is one of the organization's premier annual events, separate from the main World Tournament that features individual competition across multiple age and skill divisions.
Visit Hutch serves as the official tourism bureau for Hutchinson and Reno County, working to attract sporting events, conventions and visitors to the area. The organization has been building relationships with national sports associations to position Hutchinson as a tournament destination.
The 2026 championship will mark the first time Hutchinson has hosted an NHPA world-level competition, though the Rice Park facilities and local club have established credibility within the horseshoe pitching community through years of tournament hosting and league play.