World's Strongest Man competition returns: Who to know, how to follow along

The 2024 World's Strongest Man competition returns to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this week, and a new champion – who will become the "World's Strongest Man" – will be crowned during Sunday's finale.

Defending champion Mitchell Hooper of Canada will return to defend his title and leads a group of 27 competitors (as of Tuesday) that includes last year's runner-up Tom Stoltman. Luke Stoltman, his brother, is fresh off a victory at Europe's Strongest Man victory in April.

Here's what you need to know about the 2024 World's Strongest Man competition.

When is the 2024 World's Strongest Man competition?

Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2 are the preliminary rounds. A group of 10 lifters will advance to the finals. The finals include six events, with three taking place on Saturday, May 4 and the final three occurring on Sunday, May 5.

How can I watch the 2024 World's Strongest Man?

You can't! Yet. The 2024 WSM will not be live-streamed anywhere or carried by any broadcast network this weekend.

How can I follow the action?

Live results are updated on the event's website throughout the competition.

When does World's Strongest Man air?

WSM says the competition will air "sometime this summer" on CBS and CBS Sports Network (also streaming on Paramount+). However, no premiere date has been revealed, although Barbend.com said episodes will run from May 28 to July 27.

What events are at the World's Strongest Man competition?

These aren't just barbells and Olympic lifts. There are three events per day:

Day 1 (Qualifying): Webster stones, deadlift ladder, sandbag steeplechase

Day 2 (Qualifying): Globe Viking press, Car Walk, Stone-off

Day 3 (Finals): Knaack Giant's Medley, Max Axle Press, Keg Toss

Day 4 (Finals): Conan's Wheel, Terrain Deadlift, Atlas Stones

Who are some athletes to watch at World's Strongest Man?

In addition to Hooper and the Stoltman brothers, other athletes worth paying attention to are Trey Mitchell and Evan Singleton, who finished tied for fourth in 2023 as the top Americans in the field:

• Eddie Williams: Two-time Australia's Strongest Man and Australia's Got Talent finalist is back to compete.
• Rob Kearney: The self-proclaimed "World's Strongest Gay" is making his fifth and final WSM appearance before retiring from the sport. 
• Nathan Goltry: California native who played college football at Nevada.
• Nicolas Cambi: Represents Italy but lives in Boston; a America's Strongest Man (2021, 2022) who also won Italy's Strongest Man in 2023.

Who isn't participating at World's Strongest Man?

Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Achilles), a two-time runner-up, 2019 WSM Martins Licis (sciatica) and 2020 WSM Oleksii Novikov, who finished third last year, all dropped out of the contest due to injury. Novikov took third at Europe's WSM competition but climbed the podium with his shoulder in a sling.