Event Sanctioning

US Quidditch is proud to offer event sanctioning to standardize tournament play, provide a higher standard of quality and safety for players nationwide, and encourage the growth of the sport. Sanctioned events are eligible to receive insurance coverage from USQ as well as financial support grants. 

TO APPLY FOR EVENT SANCTIONING, CLICK HERE.

FAQs

Who can attend?
What will USQ provide?
What will I need to provide as a tournament host?
What are the application deadlines? How do I apply for a financial support grant?

Who can attend a sanctioned event? Is there an extra cost for participants?

USQ and Quidditch Canada members may attend USQ-sanctioned events for free. Non-members must pay $10 per person to attend a sanctioned event, which may be paid using the button on the left sidebar of this page. All official matches, including non-sanctioned events that meet the criteria for official matches, are covered under USQ's accident insurance policy. However, Quidditch Canada members will not be covered unless they pay the $10 per person registration fee.

If you choose to also include circuit opportunities at your event, only USQ adult club members can participate in those games. To learn more about circuit events, click here. 

If my event is sanctioned, what will USQ provide?

For a sanctioned event, USQ is happy to provide the following, upon request:

• Insurance coverage – Certificate of insurance (COI) that provides proof of insurance for a facility, city, park and recreation district, etc. Naming an entity as additional insured may be available upon request. Please note that we will have to review specific insurance requests and may not be able to fulfill all insurance requirements. 
• USQ social media marketing and advertising for the event, including press contacts to promote event
• Financial support in the form of grants, on a case-by-case basis
• Assistance in additional planning aspects as requested

As a tournament host, what will I need to provide?

• For those events with unofficial teams, a list of all participants.
• Certified head referees ($20/game) and certified lead assistant referees ($10/game) paid the standard league fee for all games, including unofficial matches
• For unofficial matches involving Quidditch Canada teams or players, including fantasy tournaments featuring both American and Canadian players, we will accept QC head referee certification in lieu of USQ head referee certification. Lead assistant referees will still be required. QC referees need to have passed the written QC assistant referee, snitch referee, and head referee tests to serve in the LAR role. Certified HRs and LARs must still be paid the standard league fee for these games.
• If used, certified snitch runners paid the standard league fee for all games ($8/game), including unofficial matches
• Facility for event including: high quality playing fields (soft turf or grass), clear field demarcation, ample on-site water, access to bathrooms, and food on-site or nearby
• Professional, nonplaying medical staff onsite. Medical staff must be dedicated and designated in their role for the entirety of the tournament. Also, an overall injury report must be submitted after the event.
• Standard and safe equipment: hoops, brooms, balls, and clear scoreboards
• Logical gameplay procedures: overall structure, pool assignment, bracket seeding, tiebreaker mechanism
• Schedule released at least one week in advance: gameplay, referees, snitches, and other volunteers
• All tournament essentials (including those listed above) reserved and confirmed a reasonable amount of time before the tournament date. USQ is happy to provide support in securing the essentials described above, given reasonable notice.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

To apply to have a tournament sanctioned by USQ, the tournament director must submit an application no later than one month in advance of the event, though applications received after that point will be considered on a case by case basis. After submitting the form below, the TD(s) will receive an email to set up an interview with USQ staff. The interview will take 30-60 minutes and consist of reviewing the application and event, going over the event sanctioning program in general, and answering any questions the TD(s) may have.

TDs can apply for grants to aid in hosting their tournament. Grants will be awarded to events that provide significant support and expanded competitive opportunities to teams and members following the pandemic.  

Please note that grant applications for events from September 15-October 31 are due ASAP. 

If financial support is requested, applications must be received by the following dates:

• For events September 1-October 31: as soon as possible.
  • Grant awards will be done in September. 
• For events November 1-December 31: October 1, 2021 
  • Grants will be awarded starting the second week of October.
• For events January 1-February 28: November 14, 2021 
  • Grants will be awarded starting the week of November 18.
• For events March 1-April 30: January 16, 2022 
  • Grants will be awarded starting the week of January 20

For best consideration, TDs are encouraged to submit their sanctioning application as early as possible.

Please note that there is limited financial support available for events outside of the September 15-April 30 time frame, and applicants hosting events between May 1 and September 14 are encouraged to apply at least three months in advance.

If approved for sanctioning, a full event budget must be submitted to USQ no later than two weeks in advance of the event.

If financial support is requested, a full itemized event budget, including both expenses and revenue, must be submitted with the application along with a statement of need and purpose for the requested funds, specifying the amount of funding requested. Financial support provided by USQ is intended to be supplementary funding. It should not replace other primary sources of funding, including team accounts, registration fees, and local donations, though events focused on new teams may use the funds to lower the cost of participation. Funds are awarded based upon available regional funding, evidence of need, and quality of proposal. Typical awards of financial support range from $150-$250. Grants in the amount of $300 may be approved on a case by case basis. 

TO APPLY FOR EVENT SANCTIONING, CLICK HERE.

For questions, email  tdcertification@usquidditch.org. 

2021-22 SANCTIONED EVENTS

2020-21 SANCTIONED EVENTS

There were no sanctioned events in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019-20 SANCTIONED EVENTS

2018-19 SANCTIONED EVENTS

2017-18 SANCTIONED EVENTS

2016-17 Sanctioned Events

2015-16 Sanctioned Events

2014-15 Sanctioned Events

Questions about event sanctioning? Contact us at tdcertification@usquidditch.org. 

Event Sanctioning Application 

Tournament Director Program and Resources

sanctioned event REGISTRATION fee

Cost: $10
Required for non-USQ members competing in sanctioned events who wish to be covered under USQ’s accident insurance coverage.

Date of Birth

Tournament Date and Team Name

US Quidditch (USQ) is a magical 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to governing the sport of quidditch and advancing the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together. Inspired by the Harry Potter novels, USQ serves athletes and fans, from sport-lovers to book-lovers and everything in between.

USQ and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. "Quidditch", "Harry Potter", and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and
© Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.

Copyright © 2022 USQ, Inc.