Belgian Beer Pong Championship

Belgian Series of Beerpong
Beats n' Bots.
Belgian Beer Pong Championships at Beats n' Bots. festival
The 2024 ‘Belgian Beer Pong Championships’ during Beats n' Bots in Lichtervelde, Belgium.
NicknameBK Beerpong
Genresports tournament, music festival
Date(s)Every first Saturday in September
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Lichtervelde
CountryBelgium
Years active10
Inaugurated2014
Participants256
Attendance1500
Capacity2500
Organised byBeats n' Bots.
Websitehttp://www.beatsnbots.be/

The Belgian Beer Pong Championship (Belgian Series of Beer Pong) is the largest tournament in Belgium, attracting hundreds of participants and spectators annually. Held since 2014 at the Beats n' Bots festival in Lichtervelde, a festival dedicated to the drinking game of beer pong.

History

Beer pong originated in the United States, where it gained popularity among students. In Belgium, the game’s appeal surged in recent years, leading to the establishment of the Belgian Beer Pong Championship in 2014, initially hosted in Antwerp.[1] The tournament quickly gained traction, drawing attention from local media and communities. However, in 2022, Antwerp's city council banned the championship due to concerns over public alcohol consumption and associated disturbances. This ban ignited debates regarding alcohol regulations at public events.[2]

Following the relocation to Lichtervelde in 2023, the championship not only circumvented the ban but also rejuvenated its image, emphasizing sportsmanship and community engagement.[3] The event welcomed 256 participants from across Belgium, showcasing the tournament's growth.[4]

In 2024, the championship maintained its momentum, with the tournament again fully booked within five days.[5] The event was notable for the participation of local politicians, highlighting its increasing significance in the region. Although beer pong tournaments remain banned in Antwerp, Lichtervelde continues to support the championship, with plans for further growth.[6]

The title in 2024 was claimed by the team ‘On met la Patate!’—Nelis Himpe and Yakari Pyckavet—who triumphed over Gilles Brouckaert and Senne Vandecaveye in the finals.[7] The event also attracted media attention when a five-meter-high inflatable promotional object from Belgian influencer Average Rob was stolen, but the tournament itself ran smoothly.[8]

honours list

  • 2024: Team 'On met la Patate!' (Nelis Himpe and Yakari Pyckavet)[9]
  • 2023: Team 'Jh De Komeet' (Maxime Debruyne and Axl Loyson)[10]
  • 2019: Team 'In de kakker van Roos Van Acker' (Def Fossez and Bryan Pyncket)[11]
  • 2018: Team 'KURT' (Arne Cazaerck and Steven Comeye), who represented Belgium at the European Series of Beer Pong in Innsbruck, Austria.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Knotsgekke avond pinten pakken op eerste BK Beerpong". www.gva.be (in Flemish). October 11, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  2. ^ NWS, VRT (October 5, 2022). "Stad Antwerpen verbiedt BK Beerpong: "We willen de jeugd niet aanmoedigen om alcohol te drinken"". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  3. ^ NWS, VRT (June 20, 2023). "Na verbod van stad Antwerpen verhuist Belgisch kampioenschap beerpong naar Lichtervelde". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "BK Beerpong in Lichtervelde verwelkomt straks 256 deelnemers uit alle uithoeken van België". DPG Media. August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Vanacker, Sam (June 14, 2024). "Beerpongtornooi van Beats 'n Bots na amper vijf dagen volzet". hln.be (in Dutch). DPG Media. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Verhaest, Philippe (September 4, 2024). "Antwerpen verbiedt het, hier doen schepenen zélf mee: 128 ploegen strijden in Lichtervelde voor Belgische titel beerpong". KW.be (in Dutch). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  7. ^ KW, Redactie (September 12, 2024). "Nelis en Yakari zijn Belgisch kampioen beerpong". KW.be (in Dutch). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Samyn, Lieven (September 10, 2024). "Opblaasbaar promoblik Tout Bien Rouge van Average Rob gestolen op het Beats 'n Botsfestival: "Breng het terug, dan blijft het een flauwe grap"". hln.be (in Dutch). DPG Media. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Watteny, Jenka (September 9, 2024). "BK Beerpong in Lichtervelde opnieuw een groot succes, 'Team On met la patate!' kroont zich tot nieuwe Belgisch kampioen". KW.be (in Dutch). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  10. ^ Watteny, Jenka (September 4, 2023). "Jeugdhuis De Komeet uit Ardooie wint Belgisch kampioenschap Beerpong 2023". KW.be (in Dutch). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  11. ^ Lefebvre, Christophe (October 29, 2019). "Twee Menenaars zijn Belgisch kampioen Beerpong". KW.be (in Dutch). Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Herp, Brenton Van (August 11, 2018). "Gentenaars worden Belgisch kampioen Beerpong". StampMedia (in Dutch). Retrieved November 9, 2023.