- Quick Overview
The IFPA German Championship Series is an annual pinball competition with the qualification over a 12-month period from Dec-01 till Nov-30. In the first quarter of the following year, the top 64 players will play for the title of the IFPA German Pinball Champion
- Competition Details
2.1. Qualification
Unlike most tournaments in which the qualification takes place over one or more days at the tournament site, qualifying for the IFPA German Championship Series (GCS) is based on the results of all IFPA endorsed open tournaments held in Germany from 1st December of the previous year to 31st November of the current year.
All open tournaments (including side tournaments) played in Germany and listed in the IPFA Main Ranking system are counted towards the GCS ranking.
All WPPR points earned by a player in those events are totalled and the 64 players with the highest points are qualified to participate in the GCS Final. If any of the top 64 players are unable to participate, vacant spaces will be made available to the lower ranked players.
In the event that any players are tied with the same amount of IFPA GCS ranking points, we will look at the overall WPPR rank of those players.
There is no limitation to participate based on nationality. Every player who has qualified for the tournament can participate in the final.
The country spot for the IFPA World Championship of the following year is reserved for highest finisher, who is also listed in the WPPR for Germany without being otherwise directly qualified. The spot for the IFPA European Championship Series Finals will be given to the highest finisher without the limitation based on nationality.
It is the player’s responsibility to make sure they have an email address on file with the IFPA, or they run the risk of not being contacted for participation. Please fill out an IFPA profile https://www.ifpapinball.com/user-profile-3/ to ensure we have a way to contact you. If you see a green check within your profile information on your IFPA profile page, it means we do have a registered email address on file for you. Only registered players are eligible to participate.
2.2. Scoring
For each player, the total sum of WPPR scores received for all eligible tournaments count toward the German Championship Series.
2.3 Date / Location
The GCS Finals will be held in the first quarter of the year following qualification. The exact date and location as well as information about any applicable entry fees will be announced separately and will also be included in the email sent out to all qualified players.
Any location that is willing to host the GCS Finals can apply to the IFPA Country Director Germany wppr-germany@gmx.de until October 31st of the qualifying year. The location shall be capable of accommodating 64 players comfortably, contain enough machines in competition ready conditions to match an eligible format and have enough staff to enable the smooth running of the tournament.
- Finals Format
3.1 Qualifying Phase
The qualifying phase tournament format will depend on the circumstances of the location and will be agreed between the location and the IFPA Country Director Germany.
In any event, it must be any of the following direct play match play formats: head-to-head match play, group match play or round robin. The number of rounds will be determined based on the overall TGP calculation of the entire tournament with an aim base value of 200%.
The players must be seeded to reflect their GCS position and given an advantage, if possible, in the selected format. Match play games must be played in Strict Swiss mode with a balanced arena assignment.
The number of players advancing to the finals will depend on the qualifying format but cannot exceed 32 players. For any significant advantage such as progressing to the final stages or receiving a bye, a full 3 ball tie breaker game must be played. The S.O.S. micro points can be used to determine the overall position within the qualifying field but not for any significant advantage.
3.2 Final Phase
The format for the final phase will be determined based on the qualification format with an aim to reach the base TGP value of 200%.
In any event, the eligible finals formats are best-of-X single, double elimination bracket or group elimination bracket.
In the best-of-X finals, the higher qualifier will have the first choice of machine or position for the first game. A machine may not be played more than once in the same match.
In group elimination format, the higher qualifier will have a choice of position in game 1.
The top 8 positions must be fully played out such that the world championship and ECS finals spots can be correctly determined.
3.3 WPPR
The base TGP value of the tournament shall be ~200%. The Country Series Championship booster of 150% will be added.
- Prizes
4.1 IFPA German Pinball Champion
First Place will receive the title “IFPA German Pinball Champion”. This title remains in effect until the next annual IFPA GCS, or will expire after two years if the IFPA GCS is discontinued.
4.2 IFPA European Championship Series Final
One IFPA ECS Finals spot will be made available. This spot will go to the highest finisher at the IFPA GCS Finals who did not already qualify for the IFPA ECS through the regular qualifying process (no limitation based on nationality). We will move down the list as needed to fill the spot should players decline.
4.3 IFPA World Pinball Championship
One IFPA World Pinball Championship spot will be made available. The Country Exemption Spot #2 will go the highest finisher at the IFPA GCS Finals, who isn’t already qualified through the Country Exemption Spot #1 or the at-large field process. Any player that received an invitation to register for the IFPA World Pinball Championships and declined that invitation will still be eligible for this Country Exemption spot.
- Malfunctions and Rulings
Anything not covered here will be based on the PAPA/IFPA Competition Rules available at https://www.ifpapinball.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PAPA_IFPA-Complete-Competition-Rules-2021.04.06.pdf. Additional house rules may apply and will be announced before the tournament.
- Contact
E-mail address for inquiries (IFPA Country Director Germany): wppr-germany@gmx.de
