MSA Tree Climbing Championship &
Festival of Trees
May 1-3, 2026 // Augsburg Park, Richfield, MN
LOCATION:
Augsburg Park
7000 Nicollet Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423
Click here to view map
Registration link opens on Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 am!
2026 Competitor Registration
*NEW for 2026*…Pre-Division Registration
- Pre-Division Registration opens on Saturday, March 7, at 8:00 am and closes Sunday, March 15, at 11:59pm (Central).
- Registration will remain open following the Pre-Division Registration window to fill any remaining spots and/or join the waitlist until Friday, April 17.
Pre-Registration Details:
- 32 spots are reserved for the Women’s Division. 32 spots are reserved for the Men’s Division.
- Competitors must be an MSA member at the time of the competition and live or primarily work in MN.
- Guest climbers will be accepted by invite only and if space is available for 2026.
- A waitlist will open once spots fill for either division.
- Any division spots not filled once the Pre-Division Registration window closes on Sunday, March 15, will be filled by those on the waitlist in the order of registration, regardless of division, and will automatically have their registration and payment processed on Monday, March 16.
- MSA will notify and update those remaining on the waitlist of their waitlist status.
Other Important Registration Details
- Registration will remain open to fill any remaining spots or to join the waitlist until Friday, April 17, at 11:59pm. Up to 65 MN Resident Competitors will be accepted.
- Competitors should register themselves and pay online at the time of registration. If your company pays for your registration, please select ‘pay by invoice’ option. Payment must be received within 7 days or your spot may be forfeited. For those signing up on the waitlist, you will be asked to enter your card information. Your card will not be charged unless you fill a spot and are moved from the waitlist.
- Please note you will be asked to review and agree to the following documents when you register. Please review them in their entirety here.
Important About the Waitlist
- If you end up on the waitlist, DON’T COUNT YOURSELF OUT OF THE COMPETITION! We went through the entire waitlist in 2024 and 2025.
- If a spot becomes available, we will offer it to the next climber on the waitlist up until check-in on Friday, May 1.
Cancellation/Refunds
Cancellations notices received on or before April 17 will receive a refund of their registration. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after April 17.
Fees
- $175.00 – MSA Chapter Member (Must be a member of the MN Chapter at the time of the competition)
- $215.00 – MSA Chapter Membership Renewal / Non- Chapter Member (Includes annual membership)
Tentative 2026 Competitor Schedule
All times subject to change. *Masters’ Challenge start times will depend on results from Saturday.
Friday, May 1
3:00 – 8:00 PM | TCC Competitor Check In, Event Walkthroughs, & Gear Check (Mandatory for all competitors!)
Saturday, May 2
6:00 AM | Competitor & Volunteer Check-in & Pre-Stage
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Competition – Preliminary Events
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | FESTIVAL OF TREES
~5:00 PM | TCC Awards & Celebration Dinner (free for TCC climbers & volunteers. Guest tickets available for purchase)
Sunday, May 3 *
7:00 AM | TCC Masters’ Challenge Volunteer Check-in
8:00 AM | TCC Masters’ Challenge Competitor Check-in
9:00 AM | TCC Masters’ Challenge Competition
Climber Registration Fee Includes
- Gear Inspection
- Competition T-shirt
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks on Saturday, May 2
- Awards Celebration dinner on Saturday, May 2
- 3 ISA CEUs for the completion of events
- And more!
About the Competition
TCC simulates working conditions of arborists in the field. Competitors perform five different events during preliminary rounds to qualify for the championship. Each event tests a competitor’s ability to professionally and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks in a timely manner.
Preliminary Qualifying Events
Competitors are scored individually in each event-Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Ascent, Belayed Speed Climb, and Throwline. The competitor with the highest score is the winner of that event. First, second, and third place for men and women are awarded for each event. Competitors’ total scores for all five events are combined and the male and female competitors with the highest combined score from the preliminary events move on to the Masters’ Challenge Championship.
Masters’ Challenge
The Masters’ Challenge consists of one event and competitors are scored on technique and skill. The competitors in this round with the highest score are named the male and female Minnesota Champions and have the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the International Tree Climbing Championship.
Review the ISA International Tree Climbing Championship for full rules and competition details.
2025 Results
Congratulations to the 2025 Masters’ Challenge Champions!
Women’s Champion: Mariah Lundstrum
Men’s Champion: Taylor Hamel
Click here for the 2025 Preliminary Results
Click here for a list of Past MSA TCC Winners