There’s a new team sport in town, and it’s all about rolling up your sleeves. The Team Arm Wrestling Federation (TAWF) is making its official debut as the world’s first professional, team-based arm wrestling league, promising to turn a table-top test of strength into a broadcast-ready spectacle of strategy, suspense, and high-energy entertainment.
Founded this year by Jason Costantini and Alex Keary through their company Table Monkeys Inc., TAWF is powered in partnership with Major Armwrestling Championships (MAC)—the ruleset and promotion led by veteran competitor Ian Carnegie. Unlike traditional one-on-one “supermatches,” the TAWF format trades simplicity for dynamism: fast pacing, clear scoring, and team drama that’s tailor-made for television. With eight franchises across Canada and the U.S., fans can expect the intensity of combat sports wrapped in the narrative arcs of a season-long league.
The action starts early. On Saturday, October 11, 2025, TAWF hosts its first-ever pre-season showcase at Henderson Brewing Co. in Toronto, where the Toronto Smoke will face the Montreal Saints. The match will be broadcast nationally on Fight Network in Canada and Game+ across North America, giving fans from Toronto to Tampa Bay a front-row seat. The pre-season continues into 2026 with matches in Calgary, Long Island, and Las Vegas before the full 14-week season officially launches on November 7, 2026. From there, eight teams—Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Tampa Bay, Long Island, Las Vegas, and Detroit—will battle their way toward the ultimate showdown: a USA vs. Canada Finals.
Behind the league are two founders who know a thing or two about building communities. Costantini, based in Toronto, is the league’s Executive Producer and driving force. A former chef and lifelong athlete, he turned to arm wrestling after a cancer battle sidelined his powerlifting pursuits. His mission is clear: to create a sport that embodies resilience, unity, and entertainment value.
Keary, a certified personal trainer, is the spark that lit the Table Monkeys flame. What began as a YouTube channel soon became a thriving club, and eventually, the foundation for TAWF. While he no longer competes himself, Keary’s creative leadership and organizational discipline have shaped everything from athlete development to the league’s professional format.
At the core of TAWF is the belief that arm wrestling is more than raw strength. “The biggest misconception with arm wrestling is that people consider it purely a strength sport,” says Costantini. “But, in reality, it’s a mini martial art, filled with strategy that often matters more than an athlete’s size. It’s about the choice of technique and how they sell it.”
That mix of tactics and theatrics is baked into the rules: teams of eight athletes compete across four weight classes, with matches featuring both left- and right-arm contests. Points are awarded not only for pins, but also for flash finishes, captain’s wins, and even strategic gambles, giving managers a chance to play as big a role as the athletes. The format ensures a tight, under-two-hour runtime and a level of unpredictability that promises to hook both hardcore fans and casual viewers alike.
So, what started as a grassroots YouTube channel has evolved into a continent-wide league, complete with city rivalries, broadcast partners, and a clear path to mainstream appeal. With its blend of grit, strategy, and team drama, TAWF is betting big that fans are ready to cheer for their favourite arm wrestling squads the same way they do for football or hockey.
And come October 11, when Toronto Smoke squares off against the Montreal Saints, we’ll all find out whether this new chapter in arm wrestling history can pin down the hearts of sports fans across North America.
Nadia Elkharadly
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