Eleiko and SBD announce three-year partnership

Leading strength equipment manufacturer Eleiko has signed a three-year partnership with SBD Apparel for the Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships, bringing together two of the biggest names in global strength sport to support one of the world’s leading powerlifting events.

Created and organised by Sheffield-based SBD Apparel, the Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships bring many of the world’s leading powerlifters to the city for a unique elite competition which has rapidly established itself as one of the standout events on the international powerlifting calendar.

Under the new agreement, Eleiko will partner with SBD across the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Championships, supporting the continued growth and development of the event as a long-term international sporting fixture for Sheffield.

As part of the partnership, Eleiko will equip the Sheffield competition platform with its precision-crafted, IPF-certified barbells and plates, platforms and an IPF Combo Rack — bringing equipment developed for elite competition to one of powerlifting’s leading international events.

The partnership brings together two brands with deep roots in strength sport. SBD is recognised globally for its specialist powerlifting and strength equipment and apparel, while Eleiko has more than six decades of experience in strength sport, with certified competition equipment trusted across weightlifting, powerlifting and para powerlifting at the highest level.

Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships combine elite sporting performance with a major live event, international livestream coverage and extensive global social media reach. The three-year agreement reflects SBD and Eleiko’s shared commitment to athlete performance, innovation and the continued professionalisation and international growth of powerlifting.

Benjamin Banks, CEO of SBD, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Eleiko as a long-term partner of the Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships.

“Sheffield has developed into a genuinely international event, bringing together the very best athletes in the sport and creating an experience that showcases powerlifting at the highest level.

“As organisers, our ambition has always been to set a new benchmark for how powerlifting can be presented as a live sporting event. Working with Eleiko means the athletes competing at Sheffield V will be lifting on equipment created specifically for elite competition and trusted at the very highest levels of strength sport.

“Eleiko shares our commitment to quality, performance and the development of strength sport, and a three-year agreement gives us the opportunity to work together over the longer term as we continue to grow the Championships.”

Erik Blomberg, CEO of Eleiko Group, said:

“Sheffield has quickly established itself as an important international stage for powerlifting, and we are proud to support its continued development.

“SBD and Eleiko share deep roots in strength sport, a commitment to quality and performance, and a long-term ambition to help move the sport forward. This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring not only our competition equipment, but decades of experience from some of the world’s leading strength sport environments, and to contribute to the experience for athletes, fans and the wider powerlifting community over the next three years.”

The agreement further strengthens the commercial and sporting partnership programme surrounding the Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships, as SBD develops a network of international, national and regional partners around the event.

The 2026 Sheffield International Powerlifting Championships – Sheffield V – will take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday 21 November 2026, bringing the world’s leading powerlifters back to the city for another landmark competition.