COVID-19 update: IFPA to resume sanctioning events August 1st

The IFPA will officially resume sanctioning events for WPPR points starting August 1, 2021. 

Tournament and League Directors are welcome to begin submitting events to the IFPA calendar using their tournament manager accounts. The 30-day advance notice rule is still in effect, so any event held on August 1 must be submitted by July 2. Until further notice, non-US events with fewer than 16 participants at private locations will be sanctioned provided that registration for those events is public. Any leagues that were unable to complete their 2020 seasons can pick up where they left off, but the IFPA will not retroactively sanction events: leagues or tournaments held between March 17, 2020, and July 31, 2021, are not eligible for WPPR points. Specifically with respect to leagues, none of the activity of that league season is allowed to have taken place during this period if that league wishes to be sanctioned for WPPR points. 

Please note the following updates on IFPA championships as we resume the sanctioning of events.

The 2021 qualifying seasons (with finals in 2022) for the following championship series have been cancelled:
– IFPA North American Championship Series
– IFPA Women’s North American Championship Series
– IFPA European Championship Series
– any IFPA Country Championship Series 

The cancelled championships listed above will return with 2022 qualifying seasons (and finals in 2023). Sanctioning fees will continue to be collected in North America during the 2021 season. Those funds will be distributed as part of the 2022 season prize package.

The IFPA17 World Pinball Championship originally scheduled for June 2020 has been rescheduled for May 26-29, 2022. The 2022 IFPA Women’s World Championship and IFPA North American Pinball Championship have been cancelled.

We expect all organizers and attendees to follow the health and safety guidance from local health officials, the World Health Organization (WHO), and national bodies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We encourage tournament directors to implement whatever health and safety requirements they feel will make their event as safe and welcoming as possible. As long as these guidelines are clearly stated upon announcement of the event, the IFPA supports their enforcement.

While we are thrilled to resume sanctioning, we want to acknowledge that not all organizers, venue owners, and tournament and league directors are necessarily ready to facilitate competitive events. This has been a challenging period for many people who are still navigating difficult decisions regarding future events, and we ask players to be considerate and respectful in those circumstances.

Please contact us with any questions. Good luck, have fun, and stay safe!