20 - 22 April 2026 | Galgorm Resort, Northern Ireland
The British Sauna Society is delighted to announce the return of the UK Aufguss Championships to the award-winning Galgorm Resort, taking place from 20–22 April 2026. This marks the second time the championships will be hosted at Galgorm, following a highly successful debut in 2024.
For 2026, the championship format expands in an exciting new direction, with the introduction of the Modern Classic Aufguss category, in addition to the existing Performance Aufguss Single and Team competitions.
This expanded format reflects the rapid growth of Aufguss across the UK and internationally, while opening the door to both established and emerging Sauna Masters to showcase a wider spectrum of creative, technical, and traditional skills.
Two paths, one championship
In Performance Aufguss, Singles and Teams will deliver immersive, theatrical sauna rituals combining choreography, music, storytelling, and advanced heat and aroma craftsmanship. Winners will go on to represent the UK at the Aufguss World Championships Finals at Satama Sauna Resort in September 2026. Runners-up will qualify for the Play-Offs at Thermen Bussloo in August 2026, offering a further route to the world stage.
New for the UK in 2026, the Modern Classic Aufguss category celebrates the roots of the discipline, focusing on traditional technique, ritual structure, and refined heat distribution. The winner of this category will qualify for the World Finals at Farris Bad later in 2026.
Both competitions will be judged by an international jury of certified Aufguss experts, ensuring the highest standards of fairness, professionalism, and alignment with global best practice.
“The introduction of the Modern Classic category alongside Performance Aufguss represents a huge step forward for Aufguss in the UK. It allows us to honour tradition while celebrating innovation, giving Sauna Masters at all levels the opportunity to grow, refine their craft, and compete internationally. We are thrilled to return to Galgorm, a resort that truly understands and supports authentic sauna culture.”
— Deborah Carr, UK Aufguss Lead, British Sauna Society
A destination event for guests and competitors
The combined format is expected to bring fresh energy and depth to the championships, creating a compelling experience for spectators and spa guests, while providing a richer competitive platform for Sauna Masters at every stage of their journey. Alongside the competition itself, visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere celebrating contemporary sauna culture, ritual, and wellbeing.
Crucially for competitors, the 2026 championships will also feature attractive cash prizes, adding further incentive for ambitious Sauna Masters to step onto the national stage and test themselves against the UK’s best.
“The UK Aufguss Championships are always an incredible experience, and Galgorm is a fantastic setting for such a high-energy and creative competition. It’s a really fun event to be part of, with an amazing atmosphere, and as reigning UK champion, I’m really looking forward to returning, defending the title, and seeing what the next wave of Sauna Masters brings to the competition.”
— Zak Moore, Reigning UK Aufguss Champion
A valuable business investment for saunas and spas
The championships also highlight the wider value of investing in Aufguss within spa and wellbeing businesses. Spas that actively sponsor and support their teams to train and compete consistently report significant commercial and cultural returns. Investment in high-quality sauna ritual programmes has been shown to drive stronger member retention, increased guest satisfaction, and deeper engagement with thermal spa offerings — reinforcing sauna as both a cultural centrepiece and a powerful business asset.
“We are delighted to welcome the UK Aufguss Championships back to Galgorm in 2026 and to once again host the British Sauna Society within our Thermal Spa Village. Sauna has always been at the heart of our wellbeing offering, and Aufguss plays an important role in how we deliver immersive, authentic thermal experiences for our guests. Following the success of the championships here in 2024, it’s a privilege to provide a setting where world-class sauna mastery, tradition and innovation can be experienced at this level.”
— Tara Moore, Associate Director of Spa Operations, Galgorm Resort
Tickets and entry.
Galgorm Resort are offering day and overnight packages starting from just £85 - more details, as well as participant information for competitors, are available via the British Sauna Society website.
To book tickets, plan your visit, or find out how to enter:
www.britishsaunasociety.org.uk/uk-aufguss-championships
