Dan Lawson at the 2025 UK Show Aufguss Championships
The British Sauna Society has officially launched its campaign to find the next host for the UK Show Aufguss Championships 2026. Now in its fourth year, the Championships celebrate Show Aufguss – a theatrical form of sauna ritual that combines heat, aromatherapy, music, and performance.
The event has rapidly grown since its debut in 2023. The 2025 Championships saw nearly 300 public tickets sold, with many sessions selling out, highlighting the UK’s increasing appetite for authentic sauna experiences. The winners of the UK Championships go on to represent the nation at the Aufguss World Championships (Aufguss WM), where teams from across the globe compete in the artform.
Deborah Carr, Aufguss Lead at the British Sauna Society, said: “The UK Show Aufguss Championships are more than a competition – they are a cultural moment, bringing together sauna masters, enthusiasts, and new audiences to witness the magic of Aufguss. Hosting this event is an incredible opportunity for a spa or sauna venue to position itself as a national hub for sauna culture, while benefiting from marketing, media attention, and hundreds of visitors.”
What the Society is looking for
The British Sauna Society is inviting proposals from UK spas and sauna venues that can provide:
- A sauna seating 30+ people with an Aufguss-ready stove, high ceiling, and safe performance space.
- Cooling and relaxation facilities (e.g. cold plunge, showers, rest areas).
- Accommodation on-site or nearby for jury, organisers, mentors, and press.
- Catering for participants, jury, and event staff, as well as options for paying guests.
- Spaces for opening and closing ceremonies (30–40 people).
- Space for sponsor and BSS promotional stands.
How to apply
Venues interested in hosting should prepare a proposal outlining how they meet the requirements and their proposed financial terms.
- Deadline for proposals: Friday, 26 October 2025
- Submission contact: Deborah Carr, Aufguss Lead, British Sauna Society – [email protected]
- Full RFP: Available on request or via the British Sauna Society website
The selected venue will be announced in November 2025.
