StaplerCup Forklift World Championship: From National to Global Competition

Aschaffenburg, September 5, 2024. A new chapter in forklift sports begins: Starting with the 2024 StaplerCup season, the world's top forklift drivers will compete for the world championship title! The newly rebranded Forklift World Championship now replaces the former German Forklift Driving Championships.

This year, alongside 20 national Forklift World Championship Qualifiers across Germany, the global aspect has been expanded with StaplerCup International Qualifiers. Forklift drivers from all corners of the world, including participants from France, Austria, the Netherlands, and China, will vie for a spot in the Forklift World Championship Finals in October in Aschaffenburg.

On October 25 and 26, 2024, the Finals will see an impressive lineup of national and international talent competing in the following world championship categories:

• Men's World Championship (replacing the German Men’s Championship)

• Women's World Championship (replacing the German Women’s Championship)

• Team World Championship (replacing the NationsCup – the global team competition)

In addition to the world championship events, the Corporate Cup – formerly the Company Team Cup – and the Charity Cup will also be featured.

Since 2021, the StaplerCup Finals have been hosted at the ARENA in Aschaffenburg, the home of forklift sports, and are broadcast worldwide via livestream on YouTube and Sportdeutschland.tv

Interview with StaplerCup Sports Director Martin Stadtmüller on the Forklift World Championship

In this interview on YouTube, StaplerCup Sports Director Martin Stadtmüller addresses key questions about the Forklift World Championship.

What exactly is the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: The Forklift World Championship is the official global competition for forklift drivers. The best male and female drivers from around the world compete for the prestigious world championship title, which will be awarded for the first time in October. We’ve seen the StaplerCup community grow and attract participants from an increasing number of countries, so it made perfect sense to expand internationally and turn the German Championships into the Forklift World Championship, where we now crown the best forklift driver in the world.

Who organizes the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: The Forklift World Championship is organized by the StaplerCup Committee. We’re passionate about forklift sports and deeply connected to the competition’s roots. Throughout the year, we work on creating disciplines and challenges. Together with Linde Material Handling’s network, we organize the qualifiers and the grand finale.

What disciplines and titles are part of the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: The Forklift World Championship features several challenging disciplines. We have both a Men’s and Women’s World Championship, with competitors facing four rounds in total, culminating in a grand finale. It starts with a preliminary round (Rounds 1 and 2), followed by Round 3 for those who qualify, then the semifinals. The two best men and women will then face off in the final round to determine the Forklift World Champion.

Is the Corporate Cup also a world championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: No, the Corporate Cup, formerly known as the Company Team Championship, is not an official world championship. It’s a competition where companies, either those who qualified or key supporters of StaplerCup, go head-to-head. The focus here is on teamwork, representing your company well, and having a great time.

Who can participate in the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: Essentially, anyone with a valid forklift driver’s license can participate. The path to the championship begins with our qualifiers. In the first half of the year, we hold qualification tournaments worldwide. Drivers can register with their license and showcase their skills. The top performers will then qualify for the StaplerCup Finals in October in Aschaffenburg, where the world titles will be awarded. Qualifiers are held in many countries, not just Germany, including China, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and more.

What are the Forklift World Championship Qualifiers, and how can someone participate?

Martin Stadtmüller: The Forklift World Championship Qualifiers are exactly what the name suggests: qualification tournaments. Those in Germany might recall our regional championships — it’s essentially the same concept but on a global scale. These tournaments now take place worldwide, allowing drivers from other countries to compete for a spot in the finals.

How is the StaplerCup brand evolving with the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: The StaplerCup has continuously evolved over the years. This year marks our 19th edition, and with the rebranding and the official registration of the Forklift World Championship, we’re shifting our focus to an increasingly international field of participants. Our goal is to build the largest global forklift community, unite forklift sports enthusiasts worldwide, and find the best of the best. We’re thrilled to take this next step and crown our first-ever world champions this October.

Where can I find more information about the Forklift World Championship?

Martin Stadtmüller: You can find all the details about the Forklift World Championship at www.staplercup.com.The site has everything you need to know about the new formats, the tournament, and the finals. It also lists next year’s StaplerCup Qualifier dates. We’re excited to welcome anyone who wants to join the StaplerCup community!

Trademark Registration and StaplerCup Statutes Officially Establish the Forklift World Championship

As part of the transformation into the Forklift World Championship, Linde Material Handling GmbH, the organizer of the StaplerCup, has officially secured trademark rights for the world championships. Alongside this, a comprehensive framework for qualification and participation in the Forklift World Championship has been developed and published as the official StaplerCup statutes.

Additionally, the StaplerCup logo has been revamped and now includes the official taglines "Forklift World Championship" and "Forklift World Championship Qualifier."

Pressebüro StaplerCup

Florian Müller

+49 2161 277 55 – 92

staplercup@keoz.com