The Air Guitar World Championships returned to Finland for its 28th edition, drawing performers from 13 countries to compete in Oulu for the ultimate imaginary guitar honor.

Finnish air guitarist Aapo “The Angus” Rautio plucked victory from thin air on Friday night, grabbing the world championship title for his homeland for the first time since 2000. This year's Air Guitar World Championships reached the climax with a final Friday evening on a square in the western city of Oulu.

On Friday, 16 competitors from different nations performed in the final of the 2025 Air Guitar World Championships. The winner was a Finland native, Aapo "The Angus" Rautio, who won his first-ever world title. Aapo Rautio aka 'The Angus' from Finland performs during the final of the Air Guitar World Championship in Oulu, Finland, August 22, 2025.