LaFace Of The Community & the TiF Volunteer Awards 2025

The LaFace of the Community award goes to a member of the community selected by the community for their contributions to axe throwing and for exemplifying the best of IATF ideals. The recipients of this award is a community member who leads by example to create a positive and supportive competitor-friendly community. They promote positive sportsperson-like behaviour and are leaders in our community. Not all leaders lead from the front and a deserving person might be working diligently behind the scenes to make axe throwing the best sport and the best community it can be.

Winners of the 2025 LaFace Awards:

Chili

from BATL Grounds

Here's what the community had to say about Chili:


"She has a gift for deep, thoughtful conversation that invites authenticity and trust. She's warm, real, often hilarious, and always present. Chili creates spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued—exactly the kind of leader our community thrives on.
For her selfless contributions, heart-forward presence, and commitment to building something bigger than herself, I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition."


"As a competitor, Chili always throws with integrity and honesty. She is always helping other throwers be their best. Sometimes that means helping break down physical parts of their throw, sometimes that means helping them with the mental aspect of the sport. Sometimes that means saying a kind thing when it’s needed most, and sometimes it’s helping us look inward to help us be our higher self. The best part is that it’s always done with compassion and empathy.
Chili has also demonstrated highly attuned leadership within the community, by helping us see what kind of impact we can have, on not only the axe throwing community, but also, on the communities in which our events and tournaments take place. She has been the main driving force behind the charity raffles associated with the Challenger Series, Team Canada vs Team USA events, and Love and Axes, and continues to do so this year. With these, she has raised thousands of dollars for people who need it the most."


"I have never met someone as supportive as her."

Carl Howe

from Valhalla North

Here's what the community had to say about Carl:


"Carl is the epitome of the LaFace award. He gives his blood, sweat and tears to this sport and ensures that our venue is a place for everyone and that axe throwing is available to everyone. Whether it be putting on marathons for throwers away from the area who lost their home venues, to facilitating leagues for people who travel far, to ensuring members who are struggling financially can still take part. Not to mention the charity fundraisers and free awards nights for the whole community!"


"Carl is an outstanding example of sportsmanship, he continuously goes above and beyond for the community and strives to make a safe place for any and all that need it, all while showing what a great sport axe throwing is, no matter how stressful and hectic things are, you can guarantee he's there to sort out any issues or problems that may occur, even going as far to create a "community fund" to lend a hand to those that need it, he continues to do the sport proud and spread the love of axe throwing."


"He balances the challenge of a professional axe throwing venue, with integrity, [...] friendship, and community...which people across the globe can attest to. He literally lives and breathes the axe throwing community!"

68 community members were nominated, and over 400 people voted to award this year's LaFace of the Community Award.

Read all the nomination submissions.

This year, in partnership with Throwing It Forward, the IATF was proud to award the TiF Volunteer Award to a Clutch Community Volunteer who went above and beyond in their contributions to support the 2025 International Axe Throwing Championships.

Winner of the 2025 TiF Volunteer Award:

Noah Hermanson

from Valhalla Indoor Axe Throwing Asheville

Noah volunteered for multiple days across IATC with seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm. He did everything that was asked of him with a smile. Noah's contributions as a volunteer enriched IATC for the organizers and competitors alike. Thank you, Noah!

OUR SPORT  ·  OUR COMMUNITY ·  OUR FEDERATION

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IATC 2025 Land Acknowledgment

The International Axe Throwing Federation holds the International Axe Throwing Championship on the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples. June is National Indigenous History month in Canada and June 21 is National Indigenous People’s Day, observed on the longest day of the year.



BATL Port Lands, Stockyards, and Vaughan are located within the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is covered by Treaty 13 signed by the Mississauguas of the Credit.


BATL Pickering is on the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, and the Huron-Wendat peoples. This land is now home to many  diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

White settler history often begins the story of North America with the arrival of the first colonists on the eastern shores. However, Indigenous histories and archeological research can show us that Turtle Island has a long history stretching back thousands of years, and even beyond into time immemorial.


For example, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is made up of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations whose territories range from the eastern half of Lake Erie, along northern Pennsylvania, from Albany to Montreal, including the Kawarthas region and all of Lake Ontario. 


Often described as the oldest, participatory democracy on Earth, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s constitution is believed to be a model for the American Constitution. What makes it stand out as unique to other systems around the world is its blending of law and values. For the Haudenosaunee, law, society and nature are equal partners and each plays an important role.


For more information about the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, visit https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/who-we-are/.


The IATF values inclusivity and diversity in our sport. We believe that axe throwing can and should be for everyone and anyone. However, we must reckon with the fact that Indigenous people have historically experienced racism, exclusion, lack of accommodation, or erasure in sports. In an effort to counter these historical barriers, the IATF will be making a donation to the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity that operates to improve the lives Anishinabek Nation citizens to create a "strong, stable, and prosperous Anishinabek Nation." 


Finally, we encourage all participants and spectators at IATC to learn more about the Indigenous people of the land they inhabit and visit. A great resource is the Native Land Digital, an interactive map that is a great starting point for jumping in the complexities and breadth of the land.


Support the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity

The Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity is the official charitable-fundraising arm of the Anishinabek Nation and its 39 First Nation communities. Their goal is to establish a foundation that will help improve the quality of life for First Nation communities and citizens.

Donate

REFERENCES


“Who We Are.” Haudenosaunee Confederacy, 24 June 2021, www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/who-we-are/. 


Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. “Sports and Reconciliation.” Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 28 Sept. 2023, www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524505883755/1557512006268. 

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Introducing IATF Knife Throwing

The IATF is excited to announce the addition of KNIFE THROWING LEAGUES to our expanding roster of throwing disciplines.

The IATF is honoured to join organizations like the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame, World Knife Throwing League, American Knife Throwers Association, and more to offer competitive knife throwing but with our own spin on the sport. These organizations have all contributed in their own way to the growth of the sport over the years and we look forward to making our own contribution.

The IATF Knife rules are based on the classic IATF hatchet throwing rules, modified for the difference in throwing style and difficulty. They were created in collaboration and consultation with IATF member venues and experienced knife throwers from different backgrounds. The rules maintain the IATF’s commitment to head-to-head competition and add an exciting element of stacking multiple blades in the target at once.

Highlights of IATF Knife Throwing:

  • A Clutch-sized circle in the centre of the black ring is the 5-point bullseye, the black ring is 3 points, the red ring is 1 point, and the outer blue ring has no value.

  • All scoring is break paint (i.e., rewarded based on contact with the target element).

  • Throwers must stand behind a 10’ minimum distance line.

  • Competitors throw 2 “flights” of 3 knives in each round. Knives are retrieved and scores are tallied between flights.

  • Players can throw for Clutch on the 6th and final throw of each round.

  • A 7-point Clutch can either break the top and bottom plane, as in the IATF hatchet rules, or be completely in the white paint box.

  • A touch-Clutch is worth 5 points.

  • Knives must meet IATF guidelines (see rules for detailed specifications).

  • Knives will collide! Be prepared for sparks to fly.

Thank you to the IATF members, throwers, and greater knife throwing community members who beta-tested, read, and provided feedback throughout this process. We’ve designed a really fun game, with your help, and can’t wait to see people playing it across the Federation!

Read the IATF Knife Throwing Rules

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Standard Scoring Discussion & Clarification

Differences in Standard scoring practice across the IATF led us to make a clarifying post on November 27th, 2024. That post, unfortunately, was unintentionally erased from the website.

In Standard Rules gameplay, both sides of the axe must be measured to determine the score of the throw if the axe head has landed across two point areas.

TL:DR Measure both sides of the axe at the surface of the target. To determine the result of the throw, compare the largest segment in the lower point value area to the largest segment in the higher point value area. Whichever segment is larger, the corresponding point area is the measurement result for that side.

Discussion on Device Measurement

Here we consider, after taking measurements on both sides of the axe head, whether comparing the largest measurements from each side is enough to determine where the majority of the axe head has landed.

Definitions

Let’s say we have 2 target areas A and B. These could correspond to the area outside the black ring circumference and inside the black ring circumference, or the red ring or the blue ring.


We have an axe to measure where some of the axe head is in contact with area A and some is in contact with area B. All of this discussion is referring to contact at the plane of the surface of the target.


Let’s call the measurements on Side 1 of the axe head A1 and B1, where A1 is the total length of the segment of the axe head in contact with area A, and B1 is the total length of the segment in contact with area B. Similarly, let’s call the measurements on Side 2 of the axe head A2 and B2.

Equal Length on Both Sides of the Axe Head

Let’s call the total length axe head in contact with the target X. Let’s assert that X is independent of the side on which it is measured.

So, we would expect:


A1 + B1 = X, and


A2 + B2 = X


=> A1 + B1 = A2 + B2


Some comments about this assertion:

  • This equality holds when the faces of the blade are parallel to each other
  • Further, this equality holds when the faces of the blade are symmetrical, and not strictly parallel, given the radius of curvature on the face of the blade is not smaller than some value that would introduce a meaningful difference between the straight line path and the path that follows the curve of the side of the blade from the end of the segment and the point of measurement
  • This assumption on blade symmetry is reasonable, given real world examples
  • This assumption on the radius of curvature is reasonable, since the radii of curvature of the side of real world axe heads are large (axe heads aren’t shaped like mallet heads)

Measurement Agreement on Both Sides of the Axe Head

Suppose we measure Side 1 and determine that


A1 > B1


and we measure Side 2 and determine that


A2 > B2


then it is trivial to see that A1 + A2 > B1 + B2, meaning most of the axe head is in contact with area A.

Measurement Disagreement Between the Sides of the Axe Head

Now, suppose we measure Side 1 and again determine that


A1 > B1


However, we measure Side 2 and determine that


B2 > A2


In this case, we have determined that the measurements on either side of the axe head are in disagreement, Side 1 shows more contact with area A and Side 2 shows more contact with area B.


So, we compare A1 and B2 and determine


A1 > B2


Is this enough information to conclude that most of the axe head is in contact with area A, meaning is A1 + A2 > B1 + B2 always?


Let’s consider A1 > B2

or, to rephrase,

A1 = B2 + ∆, where ∆ is the positive valued difference between A1 and B2


Since A1 + B1 = A2 + B2


=> (B2 + ∆) + B1 = A2 + B2


=> ∆ + B1 = A2


=> A2 = B1 + ∆


Meaning that the difference between the largest measurements on either side is the same as the difference between the smaller measurements on either side.

Comparing the Largest Measurements from Both Sides: Is That Enough?

Now let’s test whether the total of the measurements for area B can ever be larger than the total of the measurements for area A, meaning whether B1 + B2 > A1 + A2 can ever be true.


B1 + B2 > A1 + A2


since A1 = B2 + ∆ and A2 = B1 + ∆ 


=> B1 + B2 > (B2 + ∆) + (B1 + ∆)


=> 0 > 2∆


=> ∆ < 0



Recall that ∆ is the positive valued difference between A1 and B2.



So, ∆ < 0 is false, which means B1 + B2 > A1 + A2 is false.



So, A1 > B2 implies A1 + A2 > B1 + B2



Meaning comparing the largest measurements from both sides of the axe head does indicate the majority measurement if we were to add measurements for each area from both sides.

Crossing a Ring Circumference Twice

Notice that we said A1 and B1 were the total lengths of the segment of the axe head in contact with area A and area B. This means that in the cases where the axe head is in contact with the ring circumference twice, it is necessary to:

  • measure the whole length in contact with all areas of the target
  • measure the length in contact with the area inside the ring circumference
  • subtract the length from the inside area from the whole length to arrive at the total length for the segments in contact with the area ring outside the circumference

Conclusion

In cases where the axe head, measured at the plane of the board, crosses a ring diameter, the procedure is as follows:

Both sides of the axe head must be measured at the surface of the target.

  1. To determine the result of the throw, compare the segment in the lower point value area to the segment in the higher point value area. Whichever segment is larger, the corresponding point area is the measurement result for that side.
    1. If the axe head crosses the ring circumference twice,
      1. measure the whole length in contact with all areas of the target
      2. measure the length in contact with the area inside the ring circumference
      3. subtract the length from the inside area from the whole length to arrive at the total length for the segments in contact with the area ring outside the circumference
  2. If the result on both sides of the axe head agree, that indicates the result.
  3. If they differ, then compare the largest segment measurement from one side to the largest segment measurement on the other side.
  4. The target area that corresponds to the larger segment measurement is the result.
    1. In the event that a larger segment cannot be determined, the result is the lower point value target area
      1. This scenario is expected to be rare. Measurements must be retaken to confirm the lengths.

For example, measuring the first side shows that the 3-point segment is larger than the bullseye segment, and the second side shows that the bullseye segment is larger than the 3-point segment. We compare the 3-point measurement from the first side to the bullseye measurement from the second side. If the bullseye segment is larger, then the result is a bullseye. If the 3-point segment is larger, then the result is 3 points. If the segments are exactly equal, then the result is 3 points.

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Wilson Cup 2025 Round 1 Results

Round 1 of the 202 Wilson Cup took place Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30, 2025. The event was hosted by 56 IATF member organizations at over 74 locations worldwide. Of the 25,000 rostered league players, 675 qualifiers competed in Round 1. Of these competitors, 189 will join last year's IATC Champion, 24 Grand Slam winners, 23 Major winners, and the 18 winners of the 2054 IATF Regional Axe Throwing Championship in the 256 player bracket for Round 2. 1 spot is reserved for the winner of the 2025 Close But No Cigar tournament held during the week of IATC.

Congratulations to all the players advancing to Round 2.

The IATF is excited to announce the results of the the first round of the 2025 Wilson Cup. 

Complete List of Round 1 Results

Please click the button here to download a PDF of the results list. The list is arranged alphabetically by Qualifying Club, then in descending order by Round 1 score. The list includes whether the competitor has advanced to Round 2. The list includes throwers who won their invitation via the Integrated Tournament Circuit.

The list will be updated regularly to indicate who has registered, declined and players who have advanced and can still register.

Round 1 Results

What's Next: Round 2

Round 2 of the Wilson Cup will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 14-15, 2025.

Round 2 will include 256 players. 66 spots are reserved for the IATC 2025 Champion, 24 Grand Slam winners, 23 Major winners, and the 18 winners of the 2025 RATC in the 256 player bracket for Round 2. 1 spot is reserved for the winner of the 2025 Close But No Cigar tournament held during the week of IATC. Each IATF member organization is allocated a portion of the 189 remaining Round 2 spots based on their total league participation during the Qualification Period.

Players' tournament seed in Round 2 is determined by their Round 1 performance.

Players Advancing to Round 2

If you are among the players advancing to Round 2, expect an email from the IATF containing details on how to register. Be sure to add info@iatf.com to your address book to ensure the email gets to you inbox. Your Round 2 registration includes a Homecoming ticket.

CLose But No Cigar

If you competed in Round 1 and are not among the players advancing to Round 2, you can still compete for the Wilson Cup by registering for the Close But No Cigar tournament, to be held at BATL Port Lands and BATL Stockyards on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. This is an exclusive tournament for Round 1 competitors that did not advance to Round 2. The finals of this tournament will take place on Thursday evening at BATL Port Lands. The winner will enter Round 2 of the Wilson Cup as the 256th seed.

More info here: IATC 2025 Information and Itinerary

More Great IATC Events And competitions

We are so excited for you to join us in Toronto for IATC Round 2 and we hope to see you at all the awesome events the weekend has to offer. 

Homecoming

Homecoming is here for the best backyard party ever. Celebrate with a well-earned beer at the outdoor bar and kick back with a drink in a viewing tent surrounded by the best community. Cheer for your friends and favorites to win. This year, the finals for the Under 65, Doubles, and Women's tournaments will be at Homecoming and featured on the Livestream.

Tournaments

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are packed full of events for you to check out: There are tournaments for Under 60 and Under 70, a Doubles tournament, the above Close But No Cigar, Big Axe and the newly renamed Slayer Series. The Challenger Series Team is back to cohost the Global Versus Showdown. Qualifiers for that event will be Friday evening and the Showdown itself will take place at Homecoming on Sunday.

Check out the IATC 2025 Information and Itinerary to find your event!

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The International Throw Anything Federation

APRIL FOOLS from your friends at the IATF and The Axe Badger!

Special thank you to our guest blogger, The Axe Badger, for writing this silly, April Fools' Day post.


While the IATF believes in a future beyond axes, they will always be a core part of our identity and brand. If you are a stickler and simply cannot endure a vaguely imprecise name, you may call us the International Anything Throws Federation.


Check out Badger's confession here.


Did we get ya?

Announcing a BIG change to the International Axe Throwing Federation.

Since its inception, the IATF has, first and foremost, emphasized the importance of player input. Because this was our highest priority (and because the IATF acts on any feedback that can make the sport stronger, more inclusive, and more fun), we’ve often made adjustments, when needed, to make sure our sport grew with the changing needs and wants of the sport. 

Most throwers know we’ve been working on a new knife throwing league system for IATF throwers, giving venues a new way to get people in the door, and a new skill for throwers to explore and enjoy. This, however, has created a problem we didn’t foresee: if “IATF” stands for “International Axe Throwing Federation,” where do knives fit in? Naturally, we didn’t prioritize coming up with a new name for the federation – our priorities were focused on the new app, IATC, and handling the day-to-day challenges of an agile federation attempting to oversee a worldwide sport. We’re now at a crossroads, however, and the name of “IATF” simply doesn’t fit the direction the federation is hoping to expand. Name recognition has to match expectation, and excluding knives (or any other future throwing) will put the IATF in a tough position when it comes to securing sponsorships in the future. 

With that in mind, we've decided to update the name. Effective immediately, the IATF (International Axe Throwing Federation) will become the ITAF (International Throw Anything Federation). 

Why the change? 

The ITAF is more than axes. While working on how the “IATF” could best incorporate knife leagues, we realized the importance of having a federation name that matched what was possible – and in the ITAF, everything is possible. The possible expansion of the “IATF” was limited, and that limitation meant our sport could only grow so much in a world where people are looking for complete-package, multi-faceted experiences. To put it simply, expanding into knives allows the ITAF more revenue streams, which increases what’s possible for all disciplines within the federation. 

Why not call it the International Axe & Knife Federation?

The ITAF, over time, will become more than axes and knives. We’re excited to share a five-year development program to make the ITAF the most expansive competitive-throwing experience on earth! While details are currently not solidified, we’re excited  to share our blue-sky ideas in this naming announcement, including: 

  • Shovel throwing in late 2026
  • Outdoor spear throwing in early 2027
  • Underhand sword tossing in 2028
  • Summertime pool-based Trident throwing 2029
  • Indoor lawn darts in 2030

We believe expanding into these disciplines will finally offset the cost of IATC  ITAC (International Throw Anything Championship) and allow for more people to participate in our federation. So look out for updated rules and equipment guidelines (and a few new ITAF equipment options) in the future. 

"The truth is, axes are amazing, and throwing them is cool, too," said Matt Wilson, ITAF founder. "But there are so many things you can throw. Knives, shovels...give me your phone. Watch. Watch how easy it is to throw your phone." 

OUR SPORT  ·  OUR COMMUNITY ·  OUR THROW ANYTHING FEDERATION

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IATC 2025 – HOTEL & ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

We are happy to announce that we have partnered with two hotels to offer discounted rooms for the week of IATC. For more information about getting around Toronto, Pickering, and the IATC host venues, see our Travel Guide.

Toronto Don Valley Inn & Suites

175 Wynford Drive, Toronto, ON

www.torontodonvalleyhotel.com

For 10% off best available rate, book with code: SMERF
Please note that this rate is only available for online bookings.

Toronto Don Valley Inn & Suites is a 3-star hotel in North York that is an easy driving distance to all 4 host BATL locations. Their amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness facility, pet friendly options, and onsite parking.

Driving distances
  • 8.5 miles (13.7kms) to Port Lands
  • 19.3 miles (31.1kms) to Pickering
  • 17.9 miles (28.8kms) to Stockyards
  • 16.8 miles (27kms) to Vaughn
Transit options
  • Catch the 100A Flemingdon Park to Broadview Station bus on Wynford Drive. This bus takes you 30 stops (approx. 26 minutes) to Broadview station. From there, you can get on the subway east or west to your destination.
  • Walk south to Eglinton Avenue and catch the 34 Eglinton East to Eglinton Station. This bus takes you 18 stops (approx. 25 minutes) to Eglinton station. From there, you can get on the subway north or south to your destination.
More details on booking this hotel
Desktop booking
  1. Visit the hotel website - www.torontodonvalleyhotel.com
  2. Select arrival/departure dates, # of rooms, # of guests, Book Now
  3. Special codes or rates
  4. Promo code: SMERF, Apply
  5. Complete your booking
Cell phone
  1. Visit the hotel website - www.torontodonvalleyhotel.com
  2. Book Now
  3. Select arrival/departure dates, # of rooms, # of guests, Book Now
  4. Arrow down (besides "your stay")
  5. Special Codes or Rates (below "select guests", at bottom of the page)
  6. Promo code: SMERF, Apply
  7. Update
  8. Complete your booking

Notes
  • The discounted rates are for online bookings only.
  • Check-in time: any time after 3 pm
  • Check-out time: 12 pm (noon)
  • Parking: $11.95/vehicle per night plus HST
  • Incidental hold/deposit is required at the time of check-in

Residence and Conference Centre - Toronto Downtown

THIS HOTEL WILL SELL OUT SO BOOK SOON!

80 Cooperage St, Toronto, ON

stayrcc.com/locations/toronto-downtown

For 12% off best available rate, book with code: IATC2025
Please note that this code is only valid from June 8th to 16th, 2023. Any nights booked outside these dates will be at the regular rate.

The Residence and Conference Centre is the George Brown downtown residences converted into a 3-star hotel in the summer months. It is an easy walk to Port Lands and the Westin Harbour Castle (the location of Prom). This is a great option if you want to travel with friends as many rooms include two bedrooms and a kitchenette.

Driving distances
  • 1.3 miles (2.1kms) to Port Lands (walking distance!)
  • 26 miles (41.8kms) to Pickering
  • 8.8 miles (14.2kms) to Stockyards
  • 20.6 miles (33.2kms) to Vaughn
Transit options
  • Walk south to Cherry St and Mill St and catch the 121D Esplanade-River to Union Station for 10 stops (approx. 16 minutes) to Union station. From there you can get on the TTC or GO transit.
  • Walk north to King St and catch the 504B King St to Broadview Station for 11 stops (approx. 13 minutes) to Broadview station. From there you can get on the subway east or west to your destination.
  • Walk west along Front St for 1.6 miles (2.6kms), approximately 30 minutes to Union station. From there you can get on the TTC or GO transit.
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IATF Redraws North American Regions

The International Axe Throwing Federation has redrawn the North American regions to more accurately reflect local throwing communities and foster long term growth.

The most recent iteration of the IATF regions was drawn in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions prevented or discouraged cross-border travel. This led to some regions being overly dense, geographically enormous, or both.

The new IATF regions in North America, effective immediately:

While the European and Pacific regions are continuing to grow, they will remain as they are for the time being. We will revisit those regions as necessary in the future.

Considerations for creating the above regions:

  • Relative size of thrower base
  • Geographical size and travel considerations
  • Number of venues and thrower hubs within proposed regions
  • Historical and cultural relationships within proposed regions
  • Feedback from IATF Member Owners, Panel of Throwers representatives, and the community-at-large
Huron - Northeast Region border in Ontario

The Province of Ontario is divided between the Huron and Northeast IATF Regions. (See Map)

Simcoe County and Durham Region are included in the IATF Huron Region, along with all other Ontario municipalities to the south and west.

Northern Ontario, Muskoka District, Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Northumberland County are included in the IATF Northeast Region, along with all other Ontario municipalities to the north and east.

Huron - Central divide in Michigan

The State of Michigan is divided between the Huron and Central IATF Regions.

The Lower Peninsula is included in the Huron IATF Region.

The Upper Peninsula is included in the Central IATF Region.

States and Provinces by IATF Region

NORTHEAST REGION

  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario - excl. Southwestern
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont

HURON REGION

  • Ontario - Southwestern
  • Michigan - Lower Peninsula

NORTHWEST REGION

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Saskatchewan
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Oregon
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

CENTRAL REGION

  • Manitoba
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Michigan - Upper Peninsula
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin

SOUTHEAST REGION

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee

SOUTHWEST REGION

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Utah

EAST REGION

  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
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’24-’25 IATF Integrated Tournament Circuit Updates

Last summer, the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) established an annual integrated circuit of tournaments to foster competition among IATF players. Organizing tournaments into a circuit successfully increased the profile of these tournaments, their hosts, their competitors and the IATF. We also learned a great deal from the inaugural season and have made some adjustments to the Integrated Tournament Circuit based on our learnings and the community’s feedback.

TL;DR at the end of the document.

Unified IATF Axe Throwing Season.

The Tournament Circuit will start and end in March at the same time as the League Qualification Season. This year’s qualification period ends March 7, 2025.

Grand Slam and Major tournaments held between the end of the throwing season and that year’s IATC will be part of the following year’s path to IATC.

Changes to Major Tournaments

Number of Grand Slam reserved spots

Only the 2nd and 3rd place winners at all future Majors will be guaranteed a spot at a Grand Slam.

Grand Slam spots dictated by Major

The 2nd and 3rd place winners’ reserved spots will be for a specific, predetermined future Grand Slam. The Grand Slam will be selected based on geographical location and position on the Tournament Circuit calendar. See below for 2024-2025 Tournament Circuit Calendar.

The IATF is making these changes:

  • To streamline and simplify the process for throwers to move from Major to Grand Slam over the course of the Tournament Circuit.

  • To simplify the process of determining which throwers have earned reserved spots.

  • To increase the number of winners who take advantage of their Grand Slam spots.

  • To reduce the workload to the IATF team in assessing, tracking, and coordinating Major winners over the course of multiple throwing seasons.

The 2024-2025 IATF Tournament Circuit

The schedule of IATF Tournament Circuit events is as follows:

Grand Slams

Event

Host

City

Date

Info

Urban Open

Urban Axes

Baltimore, MD, USA

Aug 2-4, 2024

2024 Urban Open

UK Open

Valhalla North Axe Throwing

Newton Aycliffe, England, UK

Aug 16-18

UK Open 2024

Asia Pacific Axe Throwing Championship

MANIAX Axe Throwing

Sydney, NSW, AUS

Sep 27-29, 2024

MANIAX

The Choptober Challenge

Chopper's Hatchet House

Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

Oct 25-27, 2024

CHOPTOBER

Golden State Grand Slam

LA AX

North Hollywood, CA, USA

February 2025

LA AX

US Championship

Ace Axe Throwing

Homestead, PA, USA

March 2025

Ace Axe Throwing

The top 4 finishers from each of these events’ marquee tournaments will be reserved a spot in Rounds 1 & 2 of the Wilson Cup.

Majors

Event

Host

City

Date

Grand Slam

Info

Red, White and Bullseyes

Urban Axes

Somerville, MA, USA

June 28-30, 2024

Choptober Challenge

2024 Red, White, and Bullseyes

Urban Open: Swiss Tournament

Urban Axes

Baltimore, MD, USA

Aug 2-4, 2024

US Championship

UK Open 2024

Shieldmaiden Slam

Valhalla North Axe Throwing

Newton Aycliffe, England, UK

Aug 16, 2024

UK Open 2025

UK Open 2024

Unicorn Classic

The Range

Priddis, AB, CAN

Aug 31, 2024

Golden State Grand Slam

Facebook Link

Labour Day Classic

The Range

Priddis, AB, CAN

Sept 1, 2024

Golden State Grand Slam

Facebook Link

BAT Outta Hell

Battle Axe Throwing

Wollongong, NSW, AUS

Aug 30-Sept 1, 2024

APATC

Battle Axe Throwing

Charlotte Open

BATL Axe Throwing

Charlotte, NC, USA

Sept 7-8, 2024

Choptober Challenge

BATL Axe Throwing Tournaments

Florida Man Games

Game of Axes

Boynton Beach, FL, USA

Sept 21-22, 2024

Choptober Challenge

Game Of Axes

Three Ring Circuit*

Detroit Axe

Detroit, MI, USA

Oct 11-13, 2024

US Championship

Detroit Axe

Pink Ribbon Classic

Axe Thro Co

San Diego, CA, USA

Oct 19-20, 2024

Golden State Grand Slam

Axe Thro Co

Urban Ladyblades

Urban Axes

Durham, NC, USA

January 2025

US Championship

Urban Axes

Urban Madness

Urban Axes

Durham, NC, USA

January 2025

US Championship

Urban Axes

Battle Axe Open

Battle Axe Throwing

Wollongong, NSW, AUS

Jan 24-25, 2025

APATC

Battle Axe Throwing

Seattle Throwdown

Axe Kickers

Seattle, WA, USA

Jan 25-26, 2025

Golden State Grand Slam

Axe Kickers

Winter Axe Games

Game of Axes

Boynton Beach, FL, USA

February 2025

US Championship

Game of Axes

Going Up Cup

LumberJaxs Tamworth

Tamworth, England, UK

February 2025

UK Open

LumberJaxs Axe Throwing

Warriors' March To Glory

Warriors Axe Throwing

Cobourg, ON, CAN

March 2025

Urban Open

Warriors Axe Throwing

Last Ditch To Canada

Lumber Punks Axe Throwing

Melbourne, VIC, AUS

March 2025

APATC

Lumber Punks Axe Throwing

The winner from each of these events’ marquee tournaments will be reserved a spot in Rounds 1 & 2 of the 2025 Wilson Cup.

* These majors include two marquee tournaments that will each reserve the winner a spot in the Wilson Cup.

Players Declining A Reserved Spot

Clarification on current system: Throwers who have earned a reserved spot in Rounds 1 & 2 of the Wilson Cup may decline their invitation. This spot is then returned to the general pool of spots awarded to throwers through the League Qualification Path and will be assigned to a member venue according to representation.

New for this season of the Tournament Circuit, throwers will have the option to decline a bid when it is awarded* OR they may self-identify prior to competition as ineligible to receive a bid. If the winning thrower initiates either of these options, the bid will immediately trickle down to the next eligible thrower at the tournament.

*The thrower must decline within 24 hours of the conclusion of the tournament and make their intention clear to the tournament host. Otherwise, the bid will be treated like any other Round 2 invitation and upon refusal, will reenter the general pool of Round 2 bids for League Qualification.

TL;DR

The 2nd and 3rd place finishers from Major tournaments will be reserved spots at a specific Grand Slam.

Regionals will be held in November 2024.

Throwers may remove themselves from contention for a Wilson Cup bid prior to or immediately following a tournament.

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