Denmark's mullet championship celebrates the 'beautifully ugly' and divisive hairstyle

Copenhagen recently hosted the 2026 Mullet Championship, where more than 1,000 spectators gathered on an outdoor stage to celebrate the enduring hairstyle characterized by short hair in the front and length in the back.

Twelve participants competed in the event, which was organized by 37-year-old electrician Steffen Stiw Weber. Weber, who adopted the style after a hair transplant, suggested that the haircut's appeal stems from a desire to stand out in a social media culture obsessed with perfection.

Contestants were judged on the uniqueness and style of their cuts, as well as their "mullet moves." Each person had 60 seconds to perform. Judge Bobby Agren, a local salon owner, noted his appreciation for the nostalgia and the "beautifully ugly" nature of the style.

The event was marked by energetic displays, including body popping and beer drinking. One participant even styled their hair to look like the Danish flag. The winner, 43-year-old construction worker Thomas Berg, secured the top prize by jumping on a trampoline while wearing an orange headband and neon green gym clothes. Berg described the atmosphere as a party and expressed his enjoyment of being "outside the box."

While the hairstyle has existed for centuries, the Oxford English Dictionary credits the Beastie Boys' 1994 song "Mullet Head" with popularizing the term. Although the style was a staple for 1980s musicians and hockey players before falling out of favor—with Vogue once calling it the "most divisive hairstyle" in history—it has experienced a global revival.

The magazine i-D identified 2020 as "the year of the mullet," as lockdowns led many to let their hair grow during salon closures. This resurgence has sparked various international competitions, including Belgium's recent European Mullet Cup. Agren observed that fashion typically moves in a circular motion, returning every few decades.