Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling

Tsagaan Sar Wrestling

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Sports & AdventureUlaanbaatar

DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking

Duration1 dayListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceThis tournament's scale sets it apart: an

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: MNT

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling in Ulaanbaatar

The Lunar New Year Wrestling Tournament is a traditional Bokh wrestling series held each February around Tsagaan Sar, Mongolia's lunar new year. Qualification rounds of 800 wrestlers holding soum, aimag and army titles narrow down to a championship tournament of 256 competitors with state, aimag, soum and army ranks, held in Ulaanbaatar's wrestling palaces as a showcase of Mongolia's national pastime.

Each February, as Mongolia prepares for Tsagaan Sar, the lunar new year celebrated with family reunions, ceremonial dress and shared meals, Ulaanbaatar's wrestling palaces fill for one of the country's most structured Bokh wrestling tournaments of the year.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

This tournament's scale sets it apart: an initial qualification pool of 800 titled wrestlers, holders of soum (district), aimag (province) and army titles, narrows through competition down to a 256-wrestler championship bracket carrying state, aimag, soum and army ranks, a structured ranking system unique to Mongolian Bokh wrestling

The mystery stays covered

Held around Tsagaan Sar, the lunar new year that is one of Mongolia's two biggest annual holidays alongside Naadam, the tournament gives Bokh, wrestling with no weight classes and matches decided by any body part besides the feet touching the ground, a dedicated winter stage distinct from its usual mid-summer Naadam appearance

The city starts moving

Watching it in Ulaanbaatar's wrestling palaces offers a formal, indoor counterpart to the outdoor summer competitions most visitors associate with Mongolian wrestling

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Bokh wrestling is Mongolia's national pastime and one of the Three Manly Games alongside archery and horse racing

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with matches traditionally decided by forcing any part of an opponent's body besides the soles of the feet to touch the ground

The sacred route

Living ritual

Holding a major tournament around Tsagaan Sar

The local code

Living ritual

the lunar new year celebrated with family gatherings and ceremonial dress

Tradition 5

Living ritual

extends wrestling's central place in Mongolian culture beyond its usual summer Naadam setting into the winter calendar

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The ranking system of soum

Tradition 7

Living ritual

army and state titles reflects a structured hierarchy recognized across the country

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Warm winter clothing for February in Ulaanbaatar, one of the coldest capital cities in the world, with temperatures regularly well below freezing: an insulated coat, warm hat, gloves, scarf...

Safety

At Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Ulaanbaatar.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

MNT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map47.91 N, 106.88 E Open in Google Maps

Ulaanbaatar, East Asia, Mongolia

Nearest airportULN — Buyant-Ukhaa

TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Ulaanbaatar.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ulaanbaatar via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Ulaanbaatar, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare fares Festival gearWarm winter clothing for February in Ulaanbaatar, one of the coldest capital cities in the world, with temperatures regularly well below freezing: an insulated coat, warm hat, gloves, scarf and insulated boots even though the wrestling venue itself is indoors, since getting to and from the venue means real cold exposure.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Mongolia and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling?

Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling is listed for Past edition: 15 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling take place?

The festival is listed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ulaanbaatar, East Asia, Mongolia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February

Source statusNeeds editorial review

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling

Mongolian Lunar New Year Wrestling in Ulaanbaatar

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Tradition 7

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Ulaanbaatar, East Asia, Mongolia

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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