World Rock Paper Scissors Day 2026: Date, History, Viral Celebrity Moments That Made the Game Famous

World Rock Paper Scissors Day is observed every year on Aug. 27, and this year, it falls on Thursday. People celebrate it by learning more about the origin of this iconic hand game, participating in tournaments, and watching related viral videos.

The iconic hand game, which originated in China, became popular worldwide in the 20th century. World Rock Paper Scissors Society was formed in the early 21st century. It published the official rules and organized the World Rock Paper Scissors Tournaments in Toronto.

In 2015, an organisation called the World Rock Paper Scissors Association was founded in Ottawa, Ontario. It created a day dedicated to this game. Every year, this association organises a world tournament live online worldwide.

How to Play?

This hand game is usually played between two people, mostly to decide something, like whose turn is next. To play, a player makes their hand into the shape of rock, scissors, or paper. Scissors are made by making a fist with the index and middle fingers pointing out in a V-shape; rock by making a fist; and paper by holding the hand outstretched. In the game, scissors cut paper, paper covers rock, and rock breaks scissors.

According to a study published in 2014, people don’t play this game; they follow hidden patterns to win. The study stated that winners stick to their winning actions, while losers tend to switch in hopes of winning the next game. A decade later, a Japanese variety show also shared a winning strategy. The show’s statistics revealed that rock is the game opener in most cases, followed by paper and scissors.

Rock Paper Scissors Celebrity Moments

Over the years, this game became popular among celebrities. Several global icons, including BTS members Jin, Jungkook, RM, and J-Hope, Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, YouTuber MrBeast, actor Dwayne Johnson, and Kate Middleton, played this game. Here are a few viral celebrity moments:

BTS

The members of the K-pop boy band played this hand game in the 127th episode of BTS Run. Jin and Jungkook played at first, and Jin lost to Jungkook. In the next round, Jin played with J-Hope and lost again. In the third round, Jin played Rock Paper Scissors with RM and won.

MrBeast and The Rock

YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, challenged actor Dwayne Johnson, widely famous as The Rock, at the New York premiere of Black Adam. The penalty for the exciting game was to donate US$100,000 to the charity. Though the first two rounds were tight, MrBeast won the game in the third round. The YouTuber shared the video on TikTok, and it went viral online.

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams

Spain stars Yamal and Williams played Rock Paper Scissors after winning a Euro Cup game in 2024. They were thirsty after the game, and only one bottle of water was available. So, they played the hand game, and Williams won.

Kate Middleton and Young Fans

The Princess of Wales played the game with a group of youngsters earlier this year during a community walkabout with Prince William. She lost both rounds.

Rock Paper Scissors Viral Moments

Earlier this year, a video of two drivers playing Rock Paper Scissors while waiting for the traffic signal to turn green went viral online. In the clip, shared online by Monique Prinsloo, two players stick their hands out of the windows and play the game. The video from South Africa captured the attention of social media users worldwide.

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