Over the past several weeks, WATL has shared proposed changes to the 2027 ruleset and gathered feedback from competitors, affiliates, judges, and members of the World Axe Throwing League community.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to review the proposal, provide feedback, and participate in the process. The Rules Committee & WATL have reviewed that feedback and made adjustments accordingly.
The following updates will take effect for the 2027 competitive year.
Pro Hatchet
- No change
Am Hatchet
- Division Change Adjustments (See Below)
Rec Hatchet
- Killshots
- 2026:
- 2 Optional Killshots per game (call before throwing).
- Successfully scoring a Killshot closes both at that height
- 2027:
- Killshots do not need to be called
- Killshots do not close once hit
- 2026:
Big Axe
- 2026:
- No extra Killshot for drops
- 2027:
- Drop (except throw 7) → +1 additional Killshot
Hatchet Duals
- Killshots
- 2026:
- Killshots = 8 pts
- 2027:
- Outer Killshot = 7 pts
- Inner Killshot = 8 pts
- 2026:
Division Change Adjustments (Hatchet Only)
Am Championships Placement: Am Hatchet competitors who finish in the top 8 at the Am Hatchet Championship will be mandated to move from Am to Pro in Season 1 of the competitive year that follows the Am Hatchet Championship tournament date.
For example: WAKTC IX (4.19.2026) Top 8 finish = 2027 Season 1 Pro division change.
- Am Championships Placement
- Am Hatchet competitors who finish in the top 8 at the Am Hatchet Championship will be mandated to move from Am to Pro in Season 1 of the competitive year that follows the Am Hatchet Championship tournament date.
- For example: WAKTC IX (4.19.2026) Top 8 finish = 2027 Season 1 Pro division change.
- Am Hatchet competitors who finish in the top 8 at the Am Hatchet Championship will be mandated to move from Am to Pro in Season 1 of the competitive year that follows the Am Hatchet Championship tournament date.
- From League Seeding Scores
- At the end of the competitive year (after Season 4), Am Hatchet competitor seeding scores will be calculated using their top 3 league seasons from the year (using the WATL Tournament Seeding Tool).
- These seeding scores will be compared against the seeding scores of the 2x top 128 competitors who earned WAKTC Pro Hatchet bids, using only the two seasons that counted toward their qualifying bid.
- Any Am Hatchet competitor with an average seeding score equal to or higher than the lowest qualified 2x top 128 seeding score will be automatically moved to the Pro Hatchet division beginning in Season 1 of the next competitive year.
- At the end of the competitive year (after Season 4), Am Hatchet competitor seeding scores will be calculated using their top 3 league seasons from the year (using the WATL Tournament Seeding Tool).
*Am Hatchet bids earned in the previous year will persist to the Championship that they were earned for, and the bid winner will be able to compete as an Am accordingly.
Opponent Scoring and Judge Certifications
A potential change to the judging structure and implementation of an opponent scoring model is currently being tested at the final National tournament this year. With a goal of reducing the burden on judges at league and tournaments, while still maintaining the integrity of the sport and our community, we will share the results and ask for feedback later this year. Please note, any changes to scoring/judging/judge certifications have not been confirmed or finalized yet. Announcements will be made regarding the 2027 tournament format after the final National tournament of the year concludes.
Target Changes
Below, are the final target design differences:
2026 (10″ – true and shop)
2027 (8″ – true and shop)
2027 (10″ – true and shop)
Black Rings
The thickness of each black ring line has been reduced by 60%. (Marker tip turned sideways)
- Black ring line width
- 2026: 0.6in/20mm
- 2027: 0.3in/8mm
Spacing Between Rings
The spacing width between select black ring lines have also been slightly adjusted.
- 1-2 ring
- 2026: 4in/10.2cm
- 2027: 4.5in/11.4cm
- 2-3 ring
- 2026: 4in/10.2cm
- 2027: 4.5in/11.4cm
- 3-4 ring
- 2026: 4in/10.2cm
- 2027: 4.5in/11.4cm
- 4-5 (center) ring
- 2026: 4in/10.2cm
- 2027: 4in/10.2cm
5 Rings
The center 5 ring is unchanged. The outer 5 rings may now optionally be outlined in black marker to match the center 5 ring instead of black pen. The outer 5 rings heights/locations have changed in accordance with the bullseye locations below.
Bullseyes
The center bullseye remains unchanged. The outer bullseye heights/locations have been adjusted to the following:
- Upper bullseye heights (to center)
- 2026: 63.5in/161.3cm (27.5in/69.9cm from footer)
- 2027: 64.25in/163.2cm (28.25in/71.8cm from footer)
- Lower bullseye heights (to center)
- 2026: 56.5in/143.5cm (20.5in/52.1cm from footer)
- 2027: 55.75in/141.6cm (19.75in/50.2cm from footer)
Killshots
The Killshot heights/locations have been adjusted to the following:
- Upper Killshot heights (to center)
- 2026: 72in/182.8cm (36in/91.4cm from footer)
- 2027: 75in/190.5cm (39in/99.1cm from footer)
- Lower Killshot heights (to center)
- 2026: 48in/121.9cm (12in/30.5cm from footer)
- 2027: 45in/114.3cm (9in/22.86cm from footer)
2027 marks a major milestone for WATL, and we’re excited to enter our 10th anniversary year with rules built to bring disciplines closer together future of the sport. These updates bring important refinements to the way the game is learned, understood, and played while preserving the foundation that has made WATL competition what it is today.
We’re looking forward to seeing these changes come to life across leagues, tournaments, venues, and the competitors who make this sport what it is. Another massive thank-you to the expertise of the community, as well as the Rules Committee that helped to develop these changes.
Here’s to WATL’s 10th year of competition!
