Tug of War
Team strength contest — two eight-a-side teams pull opposite ends of a rope until one is dragged over a central line.
👥8 per team🌤outdoor
What is Tug of War?
Tug of war is a team strength sport with roots in ancient Greek and Chinese festivals. Two eight-a-side teams grip opposite ends of a rope and pull until one team is dragged over a central mark. It was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920 and remains contested at the World Games under the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF).
Quick facts
Category
Strength Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
8 per team
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇬🇷 Greece
Estimated origin
Ancient Greece and China (>3,000 years); Olympic sport 1900–1920
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified