Tiered Open Tournaments

This is the final phase of the Competition Review to be implemented, and will be introduced from the 2025/26 season.

The existing Tiered Open Tournament structure (comprising primarily of 1*/ 2*/ 4* events) was originally proposed at three new levels (Local, Zonal and National) in season 2025/26, with each level having a defined number of events , and each approved in a specific window against a periodised calendar.

Further member consultation, agreed by the Board and Competitions Committee, has helped refine these proposals and add new detail.

It has been agreed:

• To remove the periodisation of the calendar and re-introduce an open process for tournament applications which no longer restricts the number of events
• To enable tournament applications to be made in advance for all published calendar periods, as currently
• That the naming conventions will be further considered and consulted upon – the 1*/Local, 2*/ Zonal and 4*/ National designations will be changed before the new season starts on 1 August

An overview of the revised Tiered Open Tournament structure for 2025/26 and beyond can be seen here:

Alongside this, regulations for the physical environment and officiating requirements for Senior 4* Open events have already been relaxed to help make these events easier and more cost-effective to run for hosts and to enter by participants.

Based on the outcome of the consultations, Board have also agreed a similar relaxation for all 1* and 2* events, and for 4* events at other age categories.

These will be adopted into the Regulations for season 2025/26, alongside publication of new and detailed supporting documentation.