We are very excited to be partnering with Pour Bros. Craft Taproom as the host venue for our Illinois Steinholding State Championship Finals and our sponsors at Sportverein Peoria! The best Steinholders from across the state will come together Pour Bros. Craft Taproom in Peoria Heights, IL on Saturday October 3rd, 2026 (tentative start times 1:30pm for the women's competition and 3:00pm for the men's competition) where the winners will make Illinois sporting history when they are crowned this year's Illinois State Steinholding Champions! The winner of the men's and women's competition finals will also be invited to represent Illinois and attend the USSA National Steinholding Championship! This year's State Championship is ALSO sponsored by our partners at BavariaTrachten.com where you can use the discount code STEINHOLDING to get 10% off any purchase all season long!
There are a limited number of spots available for the finals and you'll need to compete at one of our Qualifying Venue partner locations (listed below) to qualify for the finals and get your shot at the big prizes.
1. Festivals, breweries, and bars across Illinois are hosting preliminary qualifying rounds! The winners from the men's competition and women's competition at each location will be invited to represent their qualifying location at the Pour Bros. Craft Taproom Championship Match. The different venues are listed below along with the dates and times for each competition. If your favorite venue isn't hosting a competition, tell them to get registered so you can join the fun!
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2. You can compete at German American Central Society of Peoria during their Qualifying Round Competitions during their Sommerfest event on June 6th, 2026, their Volkfest event on July 5th, 2026 and their Oktoberfest event on September 18th and 19th, 2026! The winners will be invited to compete at the State Championship!
U.S. Steinholding Association Official Steinholding Rules will be used. There will be a team of official USSA-trained judges at the finals, so study up on the rules and spend some time training to make sure your form is clean, or you won't last long in the Championship Round!
Check out the initial state competition map and venue list below. Don't see your favorite venue listed? Let them know that you DEMAND STEINHOLDING so they best sign up! We'll be announcing more locations throughout the summer as registrations come in so check back and follow us on FB and IG for updates. Remember- these venues will have limited spaces available for their qualifying rounds, so show up early and register in advance with the venue if you can!
| Venue | Address | Competition Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | German American Central Society Sommerfest | 12403 N Hickory Grove Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525 | June 6th, 2026, times TBD |
| German American Central Society Volkfest | 12403 N Hickory Grove Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525 | July 5th, 2026, times TBD |
 | Freedom Paws Service Dogs Steinholding Fundraiser at Pour Bros. Taproom | 4450 N Prospect Rd Ste C-1, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 | September 12th, 2026, time TBD |
| German American Central Society Oktoberfest | 12403 N Hickory Grove Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525 | September 18th and 19th, 2026, times TBD |
 | Pour Bros. Craft Taproom | 4450 N Prospect Rd Ste C-1, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 | State Finals: October 3rd, 2026 at 1:30pm (women's competition) and 3:00pm (men's competition) |
Want to compete or host a competition in a State Championship tournament? Check out the buttons below for more information!
