Cheese Rollers Dive Downhill as Gloucestershire Crowds Roar in 2026
A 7lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese rolled faster than the summer heat as 4,000 spectators watched daredevils chase it down Cooper’s Hill. YouTuber Tom Kopke claimed the first men’s title while France’s Alix Heugas won the women’s race.
A 7lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese thundered down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth on Friday, igniting a 4,000-strong crowd as competitors from 12 countries sprinted behind it in the annual cheese-rolling festival. Temperatures soared past 30°C, but the heat did little to dampen the thrill of the chase.
YouTuber Tom Kopke, 28, from London, clinched the men’s race in 2 minutes 17 seconds, outpacing 24 rivals to claim the first prize of £1,000. In the women’s event, France’s Alix Heugas, 31, crossed the finish line in 2 minutes 42 seconds, securing her first victory in the festival’s 201-year history.
| Race | Winner | Time | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s | Tom Kopke | 2:17 | £1,000 |
| Women’s | Alix Heugas | 2:42 | £800 |
| Veterans’ | Megan Whitmore | 3:05 | £600 |
The event’s organisers confirmed this year’s festival broke attendance records, with an estimated 4,000 spectators packing the hillside, compared to 3,200 in 2024. Emergency services reported 18 minor injuries, primarily sprains and cuts, a slight increase from last year’s 14.
📋 Safety in Numbers
- 18 — Spectators treated for minor injuries
- 3,200 — Attendance in 2024
- 4,000 — Attendance in 2026
Chris Anderson, the 23-time champion who retired in 2022, made a surprise return to face Kopke. The 45-year-old Gloucestershire local finished second in the men’s race, just 8 seconds behind the winner. “I thought I’d come back to remind myself why I retired,” Anderson joked after the event. “Turns out, gravity hasn’t changed.”
💡 Pro Tip
If you’re joining next year’s event, wear sturdy footwear and gloves. The hill’s 1:2 gradient and loose soil make falls inevitable—and cheese thefts even more likely.
For the first time, the festival introduced a live stream, allowing 12,000 viewers worldwide to watch the action. Organisers said the digital expansion was a response to growing international interest, with entries from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States tripling since 2020.
Key Points
- ✅ Tom Kopke wins men’s race in 2:17, Alix Heugas claims women’s title in 2:42
- ⚡ Festival attendance hits record 4,000, up from 3,200 in 2024
- 💡 23-time champion Chris Anderson returns but finishes second
Local businesses reported a £500,000 boost in revenue over the weekend, with pubs, food stalls, and car parks operating at full capacity. Gloucestershire Police confirmed the event passed without major incident, though one reveller was cautioned for public intoxication.
The festival’s origins trace back to the 1820s, though its exact beginnings remain shrouded in folklore. One popular tale claims the event started when a local resident dropped a wheel of cheese, prompting a group of villagers to chase it in a bid to claim the prize. Today, the festival is a licensed event under the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake Association, with strict safety protocols enforced each year.
As the sun set over Brockworth, organisers confirmed the dates for 2027: May 28-29. With interest skyrocketing, organisers are already considering expanding the event to two days to accommodate the growing crowds.
- 📊 12,000 — Viewers watched the live stream, a 200% increase from 2024
- 🔍 8 — Number of cheese wheels lost to spectators during the chase
- ⚠️ One reveller cautioned for public intoxication