EAU CLAIRE, WI (WEAU) The all-day event was held at the Eau Claire Soccer Park.

Hundreds of people descended on the park to play the ancient Nordic game of Kubb.

“Kubb is an old Nordic lawn game that was played by the Vikings a thousand years ago,” said Eric Anderson of the U.S. National Kubb Championship.

Anderson said two teams face off per match, throwing their wood batons onto their opponents’ side. He said the objective is to knock down as many of the opponents’ wooden blocks as you can.

The wooden blocks were referred to as “kubbs” by the Vikings, Anderson said.

“The game is over when you knock over all the kubbs on the opponents’ side. Then you try to knock the king over. Once you knock the king over you win,” Anderson said.

With 30 of the 85 teams coming from the Chippewa Valley, participants said the sport has been growing in popularity.

“I think in the next five years or so. We’re going to go “Oh, kubb. I remember when that started getting big,” said Ryan Kolden of Northwest Minnesota Kubb.

Anderson said the game was revived in Europe 30 years ago and it has taken off in America in the last six years.

“It brings in all sorts of different skills. It’s a game anyone can play and that makes it fun,” said Aaron Ellringer of Eau Claire.

Ellringer, who won 2010’s U.S. National Kubb Championship with his father, said he enjoys the bonding time the game brings.

“It’s a great family game. We get to meet all sorts of people from around the country,” Ellringer said.

Anderson said the proceeds from the championship will go to two charitable organizations.

One organization is We Help War Victims, which helps people in war-torn villages in Laos.

Another organization is Girls on the Run, a local organization that empowers elementary school girls through running.

Organizers said they hope to raise more than $3,000 for the two charities.