Haxey Hood returns to Lincolnshire for 2026
The tradition dates back to the 14th century
Last updated 6th Jan 2026
Haxey Hood, one of England's oldest local traditions, is returning to Lincolnshire today (6th January 2026).
The game sees a large scrum push a leather tube (the Hood) to one of the pubs in the town.
The villages of Haxey and Westwoodside will be taking part.
The game will be played between the villages pub teams, The Carpenters Arms, The Kings Arms, The Loco and The Duke William.
The game officially starts at 3pm, but festivities are starting at noon.
The Hood will be thrown into the crowd with rival teams competing to get it to their pub, not by running or throwing, but in a scrum.
The Hood will be doused with beer and displayed in the winning pub until New Year's Eve.
The tale
The Haxey Hood is based on a tale of Lady de Mowbray, who was riding through the village when her hood was blown away by the wind.
In the tale, thirteen farm workers saw the hood and chased it across a field.
'A fool' picked up the noble woman's hood but felt too nervous to return it to her.
Instead, he gave it to another farm worker, who Lady de Mowbray said acted as a lord.
She was said to have been so amused by the event that she asked for it to be repeated every year.