Hundreds of bold-haired enthusiasts flocked to southern Belgium this weekend to compete in the 4th annual European Mullet Championship, a joyful celebration of the iconic divisive hairstyle that has staged a surprising cultural comeback in recent years. Famed for its timeless tagline “business in the front, party in the back”, the mullet balances sharp, cropped sections at the front and sides with long, unapologetically flowing hair at the nape of the neck. First catapulted to mainstream popularity in the 1980s, the style quickly fell out of favor and was widely mocked for decades before reemerging as a subversive, countercultural statement among fans around the world.
The Belgian competition, inspired by a similar event launched in Australia, drew aspiring contenders from across Europe this year, with participants traveling from as far as France, Spain and England to showcase their takes on the cut. For the community that has rallied around the hairstyle, the mullet is far more than a passing fashion trend—it is a core part of identity and a way of life. “The mullet is open—to others, to difference, to adventure. It has a wild side,” explained event spokesperson David Hubert, who competes under the pseudonym Edgar Funkel.
Unlike typical hair competitions that judge only technical skill or aesthetic perfection, the European Mullet Championship prioritizes personality and shared values alongside styling. Hopefuls first completed a detailed personal questionnaire to help judges get to know them beyond their hair. “Of course, we choose a great hairstyle, but what we really want is to choose a wonderful person,” said 39-year-old jury member Lolita Demoustiez, who goes by Dalita. “What matters is that the person carrying the mullet truly embodies values such as tolerance, kindness and the freedom to be oneself.”
For many participants, the cut has had tangible, life-changing impacts. Christine, a 60-year-old Belgian competitor, shared that her striking silver grey mullet helped her navigate a recent period of intense personal hardship. “It feels absolutely brilliant, and I still haven’t taken any antidepressants,” she said, grinning as she showed off her hairstyle. “Long live the mullet!”
After preliminary selections, roughly 50 finalists took the stage to show off their mullets for a cheering crowd of spectators. Judges awarded titles across multiple categories, including junior mullet, traditional mullet, unusual mullet and veteran mullet, to celebrate the diversity of styles within the community. When the final votes were counted, the 2026 overall European crown went to the duo of 44-year-old Berenice and 46-year-old Samuel, who are known to their fans by their shared nickname BesaMulet.