Masters

Craftsmanship over speed: judged feature builds kept on permanent record.

Applications openDeadline 31 Oct 2026A 10-hour craft competition with 10 places at the Final. All public applications will be assessed before finalists are selected. Public applications close 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm UK time.

Watch

The Masters film

The competition film

Super Trowel Masters 2026 - the full film

Six bricklayers. Ten hours across two days. Follow the Masters as their own designs become finished walls at the Super Trowel 2026 Final.

Each build combines a range of bricks with a bespoke Catnic lintel. The film gets closer to the cuts, details and decisions behind the finished work, and the people who built it.

Ford Pro Power Onboard kept the Masters area powered, running Altrad Belle table saws and charging batteries for the cut-off saws throughout the build.

Watch on YouTube

Overview

Masters is the creative discipline. Competitors design and build a feature panel, judged on craftsmanship, detail, brick selection and finish rather than speed. Builds are photographed and kept as a permanent record.

Format and entry

Format

A build window on a set brief. No speed scoring - judges place each build on craftsmanship, accuracy, brick selection, jointing and overall finish.

Who can enter

Invited and selected bricklayers with proven feature and detail work. Entry is by application with a portfolio.

Pathway

Public applications: apply with your portfolio and labourer details by 31 October 2026. Ten bricklayers will be selected for the Final after applications have been assessed. Applying does not guarantee a place.

Masters at the Grand Final

Public applications are open

Places at the Final: 10finalists selected
Build time: 2 daysplus a cutting day before
Left to apply: 31 Octdeadline

All applications will be assessed before 10 finalists are selected. Applying does not guarantee a place. Include your labourer's details in your application. Entry is £160 per pair (bricklayer and labourer), payable only after acceptance.

Public applications close 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm UK time.

Apply now Download Masters rules PDF

The Grand Final

The Masters 2027

10 bricklayers, each with a labourer, design and build side by side at the Grand Final. A cutting day first, then two full days to build, judged on craft, not speed.

Cutting day: Thu 29 July 2027
Build days: Fri 30 - Sat 31 July
Venue: Hertfordshire County Showground
Podium prize fund: £5,000
Entry per pair: £160

In partnership with Catnic

Podium prize fund

£5,000 in cash for the top three

1st£2,500

2nd£1,500

3rd£1,000

Two 2026 Masters finalists standing either side of their finished herringbone arch

Every finalist receives

Hotel at the Final

Your hotel for the Final is covered.

Custom trophy

A trophy made for the 2027 Masters.

Competitor T-shirt and shorts

Workwear to build in over the two days.

Official competitor cap

Reserved for Masters finalists.

Custom Wonder Grip gloves

Made for the 2027 finalists.

Sponsor product bundle

More to be announced here through the year.

New for 2027

A bigger stage for the best work

10 finalists, up from 6

The Masters grows to 10 bricklayers, each with a labourer, building side by side over the two days of the Final.

More space, two rows of 5

You asked for more room, so there is more space between competitors. A walkway down the middle lets the public see every design from the front and from behind.

Two build days, with a cutting day first

All major cutting is done the day before, so both build days go on laying and finishing.

Masters area layout. Indicative only, final bay sizes to be confirmed.

A 2026 Masters finalist cutting a brick beside his build

A curved Masters wall under construction at the 2026 Final

Thu 29 July
Cutting day
Set out your bay and get all major cutting done before the build starts.
Fri 30 July
Build day 1
The two-day build opens in front of the Grand Final crowd.
Sat 31 July
Build day 2 and judging
Finish the build, then the panel judges and the votes close.

The brief

The brief for 2027

Build time: 2 days, plus a cutting day
Brick count: 500-750 bricks
Required in every build: Catnic lintel

A Catnic lintel product card resting on a 2026 Masters build with a brick star panel

Your build must includeAll 10

A Catnic lintel
At least one decorative panel
An axed segmental or semi-circular arch, span no more than 1.5m
Bricks laid horizontally and vertically
A projected and a recessed element
At least one change of direction
A curved feature, in plan or elevation
Tumbling in or battered brickwork
At least 2 bonds from the list
At least 2 joint finishes from the list

BondsChoose at least 2

Flemish bond
English bond
Stack bond
Header bond
Monk bond

Joint finishesChoose at least 2

Recessed
Weather struck
Weather struck and cut
Birdsmouth or V

Full rules handbook

How it's judged

Placed on craft, not speed

Design: Creativity and structural integrity
Skills: Plumb, gauge, level, ranging
Workmanship: Cutting accuracy, quality of finish
Aesthetics: Appearance, use of materials
Complexity: Difficulty of execution
Public vote: Consideration vote
Peer vote: Consideration vote from fellow competitors

Each build is placed 1st to last on every criterion. Lowest total wins.

Close-up of herringbone and soldier course detail on a 2026 Masters build

Rules and judging

Rules last updated 21 September 2026

Masters rules handbook - 2026

Download this handbook to keep or print.

Download rules PDF

Rules

01Builds must be completed inside the build window using the supplied materials.
02Judged on craftsmanship, accuracy, brick selection, jointing and finish.
03Judges' decisions are final.