Ed Sheeran Faces Chris Hemsworth in Epic Arm Wrestling Showdown
Ed Sheeran recently went head-to-head with Chris Hemsworth in a battle of strength that had fans laughing across social media. On Thursday, February 26, the 42-year-old Marvel star shared a video of the pair hanging out together and decided to settle a friendly rivalry with an impromptu arm-wrestling match.
The duo squared off backstage just as Sheeran arrived in Melbourne to launch the Australian leg of his massive stadium tour. In the first round, the 35-year-old singer-songwriter actually managed to get the upper hand on the God of Thunder.
Sheeran laughed as he pinned Hemsworth’s arm down, playfully teasing the actor by saying, Do it properly. Go on, go on. He can’t. Hemsworth appeared to be genuinely struggling to keep up with the musician’s strength during their initial face-off, much to the delight of viewers online.
However, the action star did not let the defeat stand for long and quickly called for a rematch with their other hand. In the second round, Hemsworth showed off his famous power, taking Sheeran down so convincingly that the singer began sliding in his place while trying to resist.
The playful contest was actually a real-life recreation of a piece of comic book art by Wayne Nichols, which depicts Sheeran battling Hemsworth’s character, Thor. Nichols shared his excitement about the collaboration on Instagram, calling the project Ragnarok and Roll! and noting how much fun it was to pair the God of Thunder with the pop superstar.
The mural, which shows Sheeran with his guitar and Thor with his hammer, is being displayed at Marvel Stadium throughout Sheeran’s run of shows. The viral video was a fun way for the two friends to bring the artwork to life for their fans. The moment occurred right as Sheeran kicked off his Loop Tour, which supports his eighth studio album, Play, released in late 2025.
This new phase of his career, which he calls the “Stereo era,” focuses on big pop sounds and global collaborations. Sheeran has been open about how much he still loves his job, telling Last Meals host Josh Scherer that he has never viewed his career as an obligation.
I really enjoy my career. I love touring, I love songwriting, Sheeran explained during the interview. He noted that his current level of success allows him to prioritize his wife, Cherry, and their two daughters while on the road.
Touring has gotten to a point now, because of where my career’s at, that it can fit around my family and I can dictate what I do, he added, emphasizing that he can now choose to only play on days that suit his personal life.
As for Chris Hemsworth, he is also having a massive year in front of the camera. He is currently starring in the crime thriller Crime 101, which was released on February 13, and features an ensemble cast including Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.
In the film, Hemsworth plays a disciplined jewel thief being tracked by a relentless detective, played by Ruffalo, marking a highly anticipated reunion for the two Marvel co-stars. Looking ahead, Hemsworth is set to return to his most famous role in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for a major theatrical release on December 18.
He has also been discussing a potential fifth solo Thor movie with Marvel, promising a more grounded and “unique” take on the character. Between sold-out stadiums and blockbuster movie premieres, both Sheeran and Hemsworth are dominating the entertainment landscape this year.
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