The World Series of Tattooing™
June 26–28, 2026
Morgan MFG | Chicago, IL$15,000 Prize Pool
32 Artists
3 Days
One Champion
The first-ever competitive tattoo tournament designed to determine, through structured scoring and head-to-head battles, who truly stands at the top of the craft.
What to ExpectTournament StructureThe World Series of Tattooing™ is a structured, multi-round tattoo tournament built to remove subjectivity and create a true competitive format.
Artists compete across multiple styles, sizes, and time constraints: progressing from flash-based rounds into fully original, high-stakes final work.
Advancement is earned. Every decision is visible. Every result is scored.
This is not a convention contest.
This is a tournament.
32 Artists total
All artists compete in a Preliminary Round
Top 16 advance to Battle Brackets (1v1 elimination)
Final 4 advance to the Mastery Bracket
One artist is crowned WSOTT Champion
Artists who make it through the full tournament will complete:
5 tattoos
Across multiple styles
Over 21 total hours of tattooing
Preliminary Round32 Artists
2–4” tattoo
2 hour time limit
Designs selected by clients from submitted flash
Top 4 artists in each pod advance
Battle Brackets (2 Rounds)16 → 8 Artists
5–6” tattoos
3–3.5 hour time limits
Head-to-head elimination
Winners of each pod advance to the Mastery Bracket
Mastery Bracket (2 Rounds)Final 4 → 2 → Champion
7–12” tattoos
6–6.5 hour time limits
Artists tattoo their own designs
Clients choose a shared style pairing
Final battles determine the WSOTT Champion
Style SystemArtists must be capable across all major style pairings:
Traditional (American, European, Japanese) / Neo Traditional
Illustrative / Watercolor
Realism / New School
Each pod strategically rotates and restricts styles per round so adaptability becomes part of the competition
How It WorksPrize Pool — $15,000
Champion
$10,000 and an invitation to Third Coast 2027
2nd Place
$2,000
Battle Bracket Winners
$500 each
Top Preliminary Score
$500
Most Flash Designs Selected
$500
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$299 Entry Fee
(32 total spots)Includes:
Tournament entry
6x5 ft tattoo station
2 chairs
Requirements:
Professional tattooer working out of a licensed shop
Valid BBP certification
All designs submitted by June 19, 2026
Tattoo Design Submission Requirements
4 designs per style pairing
At least 1 required design per size + style pairing
Additional small/medium designs: $2 each
Unlimited large designs (7–12”)
Outside submissions allowed ($25 per 10 designs)
All designs must:
Be original
Match required sizes and styles
Be executable within time limits
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Tickets starting at $150
Receive a tattoo within the tournament format (up to 6.5hrs of tattooing)
Designs are selected from artist flash submissions (not custom requests)
Includes a 3-day Third Coast pass
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Small, Medium, Large, XL categories
$50 entry
Winner takes 80% of the pot
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Beer Pong Tournament
Artists eliminated on Friday receive free entry into a World Series of Beer Pong® tournament with thousands in additional prizes.
Station Rentals
Eliminated artists may rent tattoo stations at the event:
$100/day (while available)
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Artists may tattoo other artists’ designs in early rounds
Design selection occurs before the event
Canvases in final rounds must agree on a shared style
All participants must arrive early or risk forfeiture
World Series of Tattooing Pilot TournamentSchedule
The WSOTT Pilot Tournament will take place at the Second Annual Third Coast Tattoo Show on the Mezzanine level of Morgan MFG
Friday, June 26thPreliminary Round 4:00–6:00 PM
Battle Bracket (Round 1) 7:00–10:00 PM
Saturday, June 27thBattle Bracket Finals 12:00–3:30 PM
Mastery Bracket (Round 1) 4:30–10:30 PM
Sunday, June 28thMastery Finals — 12:00–6:30 PM
Our Mission:
To create a format where tattooing can be measured, compared, and pushed forward without losing the artistry that defines itA system where:
Skill is tested across styles
Execution is scored transparently
Reputation is earned through performance