World’s Strongest Man competition underway in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - The battle for the title of the world’s strongest man is officially underway in Myrtle Beach.

The four-day World’s Strongest Man Competition kicked off Wednesday at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place with qualifying events and the daily fan fest.

This is the second straight year Myrtle Beach has hosted the event, which pushes 30 of the world’s strongest to their physical and mental limits.

General admission tickets will start at $55. The free fan fest will be next to the main competition area and will feature a large jumbotron that streams the event live.

This is different from last year when admission for the main competition area was free, but some fans said they were happy to pay if it meant a better view.

Taylor Fallew and Michael Scott travelled to the event from Charlotte and Columbia.

“It’s kind of worth the money to know you have a seat because we literally would be set up for an event and then people standing on buckets and ladders come out of nowhere and you can’t see anything,” said Fallew.

The fan fest area is also open which allows athletes to greet fans.

Will Henritze travelled from Richmond, VA to see World’s Strongest Man and said fan fest made the experience even better this year.

“It feels a lot easier to meet the athletes because they’re all walking around, whereas last year they were kind of contained in their space, but it’s awesome to see them walk around and getting pictures,” said Henritze.

While the competition won’t return to the Grand Strand in 2025, the executive director for Sports Tourism, Jonathan Paris, said it will be back again.

“We have an agreement to bring it back in the future on a year to be determined but this has been a great event for us as a destination, both in the event here and the impact it has, but also in the media exposure it gives us around the world,” said Paris.

The competition goes through Sunday when a champion will be crowned. Part of North Ocean Boulevard will be shut down during the competition.

Click here for a list of competing athletes.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.