Golden Shears 2026 in Masterton

Watch as the wool flies, muscles flex, and the crowd roars. Golden Shears is back, and you’re invited to see it all in action. Running from 4 to 7 March in Masterton, Golden Shears is the world’s premier shearing, wool handling, and wool pressing championship. More than 550 elite competitors from across the globe battle it out this year in the world championships. It’ll be the ultimate display of speed and skill.

An Australian pair competing in Golden Shears.

The Golden Shears competition in Masterton, New Zealand.

A wool handler throws a shorn sheep pelt onto a rack ready for processing as part of the Golden Shears competition. A crowded auditorium of people are in the background.

Competitors are lined up on stage at the Golden Shears World Premier Shearing and Woolhandling Championships.

This globally recognised sporting code sees adults and children compete in specialist heats. Only the fastest and most efficient can win in three possible categories. Shearing, wool handling (preparing the wool clip from a shorn sheep), and pressing (compressing the clip into manageable bales).

This year, there’ll be a vibrant outdoor fan zone across the road from the War Memorial Stadium. A large live-stream screen will broadcast the action. Flock to Masterton to catch all the action.

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