Everything you need to know to watch the 2026 Enhanced Games
The 2026 Enhanced Games are shaping up to be one of the most controversial and talked-about sporting events of the year. Featuring elite athletes competing without the traditional performance-enhancing drug restrictions found in mainstream sports, the event promises massive lifts, explosive performances, and potentially history-making moments.
At the center of the spectacle will be a monumental deadlift battle between Hafthor Bjornsson and Mitchell Hooper. The two Strongman giants are set to compete for one of the most prestigious records in strength sports — the Deadlift World Record.
With hundreds of thousands of fans expected to tune in, here is everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 Enhanced Games live, including streaming platforms, start times, and what to expect from the Bjornsson vs. Hooper showdown.
What Are the Enhanced Games?
The Enhanced Games are built around a radically different philosophy from organizations like the Olympics or traditional professional sports leagues. Athletes are allowed to use performance-enhancing substances that are typically banned in mainstream competition.
The concept has sparked intense debate across the sports world. Supporters argue that it allows athletes to fully maximize human performance, while critics believe it creates dangerous conditions and changes the integrity of competition.
Regardless of where fans stand on the issue, there is no denying that the 2026 Enhanced Games have captured global attention. The event will feature competitions in Strongman, swimming, weightlifting, and multiple other sports designed to showcase the limits of human capability.
But for strength sports fans, one event stands above the rest: the deadlift battle between Hafthor Bjornsson and Mitchell Hooper.
How to Watch the 2026 Enhanced Games Live
The organizers of the Enhanced Games have made the entire event easily accessible to viewers worldwide through a free livestream broadcast.
Fans will be able to watch the competition across multiple streaming platforms, including:
- YouTube
- Rumble
- Twitch
- Kick
- Roku
The opening events are scheduled to begin at:
- 6:30 p.m. ET
- 3:30 p.m. PT
The main card will begin following a special live performance by renowned DJ Alan Walker.
Main event coverage is expected to start at:
- 8:30 p.m. ET
- 5:30 p.m. PT
The event will take place live in Las Vegas, which has become one of the premier destinations for combat sports, entertainment spectacles, and now one of the boldest experiments in sports history.
Here’s the live stream to watch the event:
Hafthor Bjornsson vs. Mitchell Hooper Deadlift Schedule
The headline attraction of the evening will undoubtedly be the deadlift competition between Bjornsson and Hooper.
Unlike traditional Strongman contests where deadlifts happen in quick succession, the Enhanced Games are structuring the event into three separate deadlift segments. This format gives each athlete more time to recover and maximize performance between attempts.
The official deadlift schedule is as follows:
Deadlift Segment One
- 10:55 p.m. ET
- 7:55 p.m. PT
Deadlift Segment Two
- 11:13 p.m. ET
- 8:13 p.m. PT
Deadlift Segment Three
- 11:31 p.m. ET
- 8:31 p.m. PT
Each competitor will receive three attempts total as they pursue the heaviest deadlift ever completed.
Hafthor Bjornsson Chasing His Own World Record
Hafthor Bjornsson enters the Enhanced Games as the current deadlift world record holder after successfully pulling 510 kilograms (1,124 pounds).
Bjornsson’s appearance at the Enhanced Games immediately raised eyebrows because of the sacrifices he made to focus entirely on this goal. Most notably, he withdrew from the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic to dedicate his full attention to deadlift preparation.
That decision made it clear that Bjornsson is treating this attempt with complete seriousness.
His stated target for the event is 515 kilograms (1,135 pounds), which would further cement his legacy as one of the greatest deadlifters in history.
Bjornsson already has one of the most accomplished resumes in Strongman history. Beyond his world record deadlift, he is also a former World’s Strongest Man champion and remains one of the most recognizable figures in the sport globally.
The possibility of watching him extend his own world record is one of the biggest reasons fans are expected to tune into the Enhanced Games.
Mitchell Hooper Could Shock the Strength World
While Bjornsson owns the record, Mitchell Hooper may be the most dangerous challenger possible.
Hooper is currently one of the hottest athletes in Strongman after recent victories at both the Arnold Strongman Classic and the World’s Strongest Man competition.
His rise in the sport has been incredibly rapid, and many fans believe he has the raw power necessary to threaten the world record despite never officially deadlifting 500 kilograms or more in competition.
What makes Hooper especially dangerous is his versatility and athleticism. Unlike some Strongman competitors who specialize in a single event, Hooper has consistently demonstrated elite-level performance across nearly every discipline in Strongman.
Now fully focused on the deadlift, many believe he could unlock another level of strength.
A $250,000 Prize Adds Even More Pressure
If either Bjornsson or Hooper manages to break the deadlift world record, they will receive a massive $250,000 prize bonus.
That financial incentive only adds more intensity to an already historic showdown.
More importantly, however, the winner would secure a permanent place in strength sports history. Deadlift world records are among the most respected achievements in Strongman, and surpassing 510 kilograms would instantly become one of the greatest feats ever witnessed in the sport.
The rivalry between Bjornsson and Hooper also adds another compelling layer to the event. Both athletes are fiercely competitive, and neither will want to leave Las Vegas without claiming bragging rights.
The Enhanced Games Could Change Strength Sports Forever
Whether fans support or oppose the Enhanced Games concept, the event represents a major moment in the evolution of professional sports.
The combination of unrestricted competition, enormous prize money, and elite athletes has created unprecedented curiosity surrounding the event. If the deadlift world record falls, the 2026 Enhanced Games could become one of the most memorable moments in modern strength sports history.
For Strongman fans, May 24th is shaping up to be must-watch television.
And if Hafthor Bjornsson or Mitchell Hooper manages to pull more than 510 kilograms, the world may witness a historic moment that changes the perception of human strength forever.
