About WATL
UNIFYING THE SPORT
Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up. WATL exists to elevate axe throwing into a legitimate global sport — one lane, one throw, one affiliate at a time.
300+
Affiliated Venues
20
Countries
2017
Founded
UNIFYING THE SPORT OF AXE THROWING
Axe throwing isn’t just a unique recreational activity: it is a competitive sport. By uniting axe throwing facilities from around the world under one professional axe throwing association, we can elevate the sport of axe throwing to the next level.
Working in tandem with an expanding network of independent axe throwing facilities, we can provide a conduit allowing them to communicate with each other and help establish standardized rules and regulations for the sport.
INCEPTION OF THE WORLD AXE THROWING LEAGUE
As the sport of axe throwing is trending and expanding internationally, we noticed that many axe facilities followed similar business practices and axe throwing rules. However, there wasn’t much communication between the axe throwing clubs. WATL created a forum for all axe-throwing venues to standardize official rules, reach a level of harmony and legitimize axe throwing as a professional sport.
WATL’S GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The World Axe Throwing League exists to promote axe throwing as a professional sport by bringing together axe throwing clubs. WATL standardizes the sport of axe throwing — with official league rules, strict safety protocols, staff training, and everything in between. By facilitating the World Axe Throwing Championships, we continue to celebrate and nurture the growth of this global sport.
WATL FOUNDER & COMMISSIONER — MARIO ZELAYA
The sport of urban axe throwing is trending and expanding internationally. Mario noticed that many indoor urban axe throwing facilities, mostly in Canada, followed similar business practices and axe throwing rules.
However, there wasn’t much communication between axe venues. Mario felt that we needed to create a forum for these facilities to open the floor for discussion on standardizing official rules and regulations to reach a level of harmony and legitimize indoor axe throwing as a sport.
That way, by working together, we could put axe throwing on par with other major sports.
“Because of the strong demand for the sport of urban axe throwing, we’re establishing a World Axe Throwing League — similar to what you would expect for the NHL, UFC, NBA, MLB, etc.” — Mario Zelaya, League Chairman and Founder.