Already a week has passed since Middle-earth March Madness for 2026 came to a close. Thanks to all who voted, discussed, debated, and generally played along! This year our theme was ‘Clash of the Collectibles’; our team of volunteer staffers offered their own favourite collectibles, and then we voted to get that down to 64 items, which became our opening bracket:
Three weeks and six rounds of voting ensued. With thousands of votes placed throughout the contest, we saw items we thought might go all the way – such as LEGO sets and Weta environments – fall in earlier rounds. Finally, just two items remained…
Stained glass vs DVDs
Talk about a David and Goliath match up! Some of the best selling DVDs of all time – the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, in box set with collectible statues – versus hand-made, original designs from an independent artist, Geek Orthodox.
At first the contest seemed like it was going to be fairly one-sided, with the DVDs taking an early lead. Gradually, though, the stained glass came back. The final vote margin was 56% to 44% , with the winner being…
Congratulations to Geek Orthodox! A worthy champion, as a creator of unique, beautiful pieces – check them out here.
Here’s how the completed bracket looked:
Thanks again to all who joined the fun. If you have ideas for a future March Madness theme, please let us know – email spymaster@theonering.net See you same time, same place, next year!
Don’t forget, you can always join the discussion with fellow fans, at the Collectibles channel on our Discord.
Middle-earth March Madness for 2026 is drawing to a close. We started with 64 items in our ‘Clash of the Collectibles’ themed contest; now just two remain. And it’s time for you to vote for the one you would like to see crowned Grand Champion 2026!
Argonath vs Argonath
The first semi final was between the only statuary piece to make it this far (the Argonath bookends) and the DVD box sets of Peter Jackson’s movies – which could have meant any of the extended edition box sets which came with statues, but we used The Fellowship of the Ring set to illustrate the bracket. So it ended up being Pillars of the Kings vs the colossi of the River Anduin (with some DVDs thrown in for good measure…)
If you think it seems unlikely that people would vote for Argonath alone over bookends PLUS movies, you’d be right! This rather unfair match up saw the box sets take almost four fifths of the votes.
A much tougher battle in the other Semi Final
There were two artisanal pieces in this dual – the Red Book of Westmarch prop replica from Magnoli Props vs the stained glass art of Geek Orthodox. Both stunning, both highly desirable pieces to add to any collection. It was certainly a tough battle. In the end, perhaps folks voted for original art over replica; whatever the reason behind the choices, Geek Orthodox won by 55% to 45%.
How the bracket looks for our final show down:
Championship Round
How to decide?!
Those DVD box sets include all the wonders of Peter Jackson’s movies (in extended format). Surely a must-have for collectors? But what if you’re a book purist rather than a movie fan? Geek Orthodox’s gorgeous, original art presents a different view of Middle-earth, unconfined by PJ’s vision and instead going back to the Professor’s words for inspiration. If you had to pick just one – do you go with movies and statues in a box set, so you can revisit the New Zealand version of Tolkien’s realm any time you want? Or do you adorn your home with beautiful representations of the places you visit between the pages; perhaps making a cosy room feel like your own slice of the Shire, ready for you to curl up with a book and head back to Arda? From a collecting point of view, which is more – shall we say – precioussss….?
It’s a tough choice – and it’s YOUR choice! Time to vote! But how does it work, I hear you ask. Simple! Click on the button below. This will take you to the voting site, where you can view the entire bracket, region by region. Click on FINAL 4 (at the right hand side) to open the final match up – and there place your vote in the Championship round. Let’s get voting!
You have until 5.45pm PT on Tuesday April 14th t o vote in this final Round. We’ll close voting during TORn Tuesday and then reveal the WINNER. What will be crowned Grand Champion? Place your votes now!
Let us know YOUR thoughts – join the discussion with fellow fans, at the Collectibles channel on our Discord.
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a simple ingredient and turning it into something richer, more lasting and versatile. Recently, I found myself with a bottle of apple juice no one in our hobbit hole was particularly interested in drinking. Rather than let it go to waste (after all, I am no Sackville-Baggins!); I decided to try a simple kitchen experiment—one that felt like an age-old halfling trick.
The result was boiled cider: a thick, amber syrup made by slowly reducing apple juice until its flavor becomes concentrated and complex. It’s simple to make, requires no special ingredients, and fills the kitchen with the scent of autumn while it simmers, no matter the season. Even more, it lasts for months in the fridge and can be used for so many things!
Click on the video below to watch me make it, and keep scrolling for the recipe!
Note: For a printer-friendly version of this recipe for you to tuck away in your hobbit kitchen, click here.
Boiled Apple Cider
Ingredients
Apple Juice (preferably unfiltered and organic, if possible)
Instructions
Pour your apple juice into a wide, heavy-bottomed pot.
Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat (in my case, I had to keep it on low)
Let it cook slowly for several hours, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the bubbles to make sure they don’t get too big (we don’t want to boil the juice) and watch the line left behind on the rim of the pan to keep track of how much it is reducing.
As it reduces, you’ll notice the color deepen and the aroma grow richer. Yum!
Continue simmering until the liquid thickens into a syrup-like consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon). At this point, you want to remain nearby to check every 10-15 minutes so that it doesn’t scorch. If you watched me do this in the video, know that I probably could have let it continue to reduce just a tiny bit more.
Pour into a jar, seal, and allow to cool on the counter. Store in the refrigerator for several months.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram,Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
The final battles have been fought within the four regions, and now we reach the semi-final in this year’s Middle-earth March Madness – Clash of the Collectibles. Who were the winners in each of the categories?Let’s take a look:
Connecting to Middle-earth through favourite figures
The final in this region saw the Argonath bookends take on Prime 1’s Balrog vs Gandalf, a piece which had been a surprise victor over Weta Workshop’s Master Collection ‘The Fellowship’. This time, however, its luck had run out – the Argonath bookends won, though with a margin of just 8%.
Argonath bookends
Experiencing Middle-earth in Print and Music
This seemed a little unfair: DVD Box Sets vs the movie soundtracks. If you have the DVDs, you get the films AND the soundtrack, so surely it’s no contest? Maybe – but even so, almost one third of votes placed were for the soundtracks. Howard Shore’s music is beloved indeed. Nonetheless, the Box Sets move on to the Final Four.
Semi Final sees Argonath against Argonath
Inhabiting Middle-earth through Environments and Replicas
Weta Workshop‘s Rivendell took on the Red Book of Westmarch prop replica – two stunning pieces, but only one can make the Semi Final. It was a very tough battle – votes went almost 50/50, and in the end there was just 2% in it! The Red Book (West)marches into the Final Four.
The Red Book
Playing in Middle-earth with toys, games and other curiosities
That Hobbiton Green Dragon mug is absolutely lovely – but Geek Orthodox is on a roll, and proved victorious once again, securing three fifths of the vote.
More incredible stained glass art
How the bracket looks now:
Final Four
It’s Argonath against Argonath – bookends vs DVD box sets with statues. The outcome of that dual is obvious, surely…? The other semi final sees two mighty masterpieces face off – the Red Book prop replica from Magnoli vs the stunning stained glass of Geek Orthodox. That is a tough choice indeed! Which would you want to see in the Final?
Time to vote! But how does it work, I hear you ask. Simple! Click on the button below. This will take you to the voting site, where you can view the entire bracket, region by region. Click on FINAL FOUR (at the right hand side) to open the semi final pairings – and there place your vote. Let’s get voting!
You have until the end of the day Friday April 10th to vote in Round Five; Saturday April 11th we’ll launch the GRAND FINAL, the winner of which will be revealed on TORn Tuesday next week. Which of the Final Four do you want to see as Grand Champion? Place your votes now!
Let us know YOUR thoughts – join the discussion with fellow fans, at the Collectibles channel on our Discord.
You’ll recall that in late March we brought you the news that Burgschneider and Middle-earth Enterprises’ – combining to create Middle-earth Adventures – immersive Shire experience will come to the UK this year. Tickets are on sale now!
Last year’s inaugural event in Kentucky was attended by TORn staffers Madeye Gamgee and Happy Hobbit Kili, who had a fantastic time. The US Brandywine Festival will again take place in October (and tickets for that event are already getting close to selling out). The UK version will be September 9-13, and will be held at Weston Park in Staffordshire.
Temple Wood at Weston Park
Weston Park – an ideal location
Markus Böhm, CEO of Burgschneider, remarked, ‘At Weston Park, we are stepping into a landscape that echoes the very soul of Tolkien’s work.’ A large part of Tolkien’s childhood was spent in the Birmingham area, perhaps most famously in Sarehole (which was then Worcestershire countryside, not yet swallowed up by the expanding city). Telford, near which the 17th century estate of Weston Park is located, is not far away, on the other side of Birmingham – offering scenery which is similar to the bucolic terrain Tolkien loved as a child.
Tiered price ticket sales
The first 400 tickets for the British event will be sold at the lowest price. Each subsequent batch of 400 tickets released will go up in price; so it’s a good idea to secure your ticket as early as possible!
Magic by the campfire in Kentucky
Middle-earth Adventures state that their goal is ‘To create the world’s most meaningful Middle-earth inspired experiences — events that don’t just entertain, but genuinely transform the people who attend them.’
Want to disappear into the English countryside for a while, don the guise of a Hobbit, and revel with like-minded folks? Get your tickets now, before the price increases!
About Burgschneider
Burgschneider is a leading designer and manufacturer of medieval and fantasy costumes, known for its dedication to authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling. As the organizer of ConQuest of Mythodea—the world’s largest live action roleplaying (LARP) event—Burgschneider brings extensive expertise in creating and coordinating immersive experiences. From historical reenactments to large-scale LARP events, Burgschneider costumes empower enthusiasts to fully step into their favorite historical and fictional worlds.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books, for a half century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore, in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices; including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in both new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever. Visit us at www.middleearth.com for details.
Already we’re down to just EIGHT items remaining in the Clash of Collectibles – this year’s Middle-earth March Madness. Here’s how the bracket looks:
Connecting to Middle-earth through favourite figures
Perhaps surprisingly, BOTH Weta Workshop items were defeated in this region, with the Balrog taking out the entire Fellowship, and the Argonath conquering Bilbo in Bag End. So now we see if Aragorn’s ancestors can beat the ancient, (winged?) demon.
Prime 1 Gandalf vs Balrog statue
Experiencing Middle-earth in Print and Music
Another upset of sorts here – both the Maps and Tolkien’s own art have fallen at this fence! So now we face a tough decision: soundtrack vs DVDs. If you had to save only one, which would you choose?
As it’s the DVD box set with statues, we’ve got two sets of Argonath in the Elite Eight!
Inhabiting Middle-earth through Environments and Replicas
Weta Workshop’s Rivendell survived the Sweet Sixteen round; their Edoras environment, however, was not so lucky! Now Rivendell faces off against the incredible Red Book of Westmarch prop replica.
The Red Book
Playing in Middle-earth with toys, games and other curiosities
This writer has been proved SO wrong. I thought LEGO Rivendell was almost unbeatable – but I’m delighted to see that the gorgeous stained glass art from Geek Orthodox has done it, and made it through to the Elite Eight! In the other pairing in this region, the Hobbiton mug vanquished the LotR Monopoly. Now I’m rooting for the stained glass to go all the way to be Grand Champion. But you may wish to vote otherwise!
More incredible stained glass art
How the bracket looks now:
Elite Eight Clash of Collectibles
Time to vote! But how does it work, I hear you ask. Simple! Click on the button below. This will take you to the voting site, where you can view the entire bracket, region by region. Click on each pairing of items, to view all the details – and there place your vote. Let’s get voting!
You have until the end of the day Tuesday April 7th to vote in Round Four; that evening on TORN Tuesday we’ll reveal the winners, and on Wednesday April 8th we’ll launch the semi-final! Place your votes now!
Let us know YOUR thoughts – join us on TORn Tuesday each week during the competition, and tell us how you feel about the choices so far. And if you want to discuss the votes with other fans, head on over to the Collectibles channel on our Discord.
