Empire Grappling: Yorkshire Winter Open 2027

PLEASE READ THE BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING

Athletes, parents, guardians, coaches and spectators are responsible for reading the information relevant to them and checking Smoothcomp regularly for updates.

ITEM
INFORMATION
Event
Yorkshire Winter Open
Date
Saturday, 16th January 2027
Venue
Barnsley Metrodome, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN
Accessibility
Contact us before the event if an athlete, coach or spectator requires reasonable accessibility or additional support arrangements.

ACTIVITY
TIME
Doors Open
8:00am
Spectator Entry
8:00am
Kids and Juvenile Weigh-Ins Begin
8:00am
Adult and Master Weigh-Ins Begin
9:00am
Kids and Juvenile Matches Begin
9:00am
Adult and Master Matches Begin
TBC

Adult and Master start times will be confirmed when brackets and timings are released. Athletes must check Smoothcomp regularly and follow the live running order on event day.

This is an online, pre-registration-only event. Late registrations and event-day registrations will not be accepted.

ACTION
DEADLINE
METHOD
Registration Changes
9th January 2027 at 10:00pm
Smoothcomp only

No registration changes can be made after the amendments deadline or on event day.

🎥 Tutorial: How to Amend Your Registration

Random identification checks may be conducted at this event. Identification verification is expected to become mandatory for all athletes during check-in by the end of 2027.

DEADLINE TYPE
DATE OR TIME
100% Refund Deadline
19th December 2026
100% Credit Deadline
9th January 2027
50% Credit Deadline
24 hours after the brackets are released

The 50% credit window begins immediately after the amendments deadline closes.

DETAIL
INFORMATION
Advance Contact
Contact us before the event and explain the support or access arrangement required.
Reasonable Support
We will work with the venue to accommodate reasonable requests wherever practical.
Event-Day Requests
Requests made on event day may be more difficult to accommodate and cannot always be guaranteed.

Team points may not be reassigned after the amendments deadline because an athlete selected the wrong academy or affiliation.

By registering for this event, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these terms and conditions, together with the rules, policies and event guidelines published on the Smoothcomp event page.

All event-day times are approximate and may change depending on attendance and operational requirements.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
REQUIREMENT
Period Capacity
Each registration period is capped at 250 athletes.
Early Capacity
If a period reaches capacity early, the next registration period may open automatically.
Overall Capacity
Registration may close before the advertised deadline if the venue’s overall capacity is reached.
Correct Entry
Athletes must register in the correct age, weight and experience category.
Accurate Details
Belt, training, Judo, MMA, academy, affiliation and merge information must be complete and accurate.
Responsibility
Athletes, parents and guardians must check all registration details before the amendments deadline.

Providing inaccurate information or withholding relevant experience may result in the athlete being moved to the correct category or disqualified without a refund or credit.

ELIGIBILITY
DISCOUNT
BJJ Brown Belt
50% off
BJJ Black Belt
50% off
Professional MMA Fighter with Three or More Professional Fights
50% off

The name of the event.
A link to your public Smoothcomp profile confirming your belt rank, where applicable.
A link to your Tapology profile confirming at least three professional MMA fights, where applicable.

Athletes, parents and guardians must check the athlete’s age, weight, experience, belt, divisions, academy, affiliation and merge answers before the deadline.

DETAIL
REQUIREMENT
Kids and Juvenile Opening
8:00am
Adult and Master Opening
9:00am
Location
Weigh-ins take place at the venue on event day only.
Clothing
Athletes weigh in without the Gi.
Coverage
One weigh-in covers every division entered by the athlete.
Weight Allowance
There is no weight allowance.
Latest Weigh-In
Athletes must be signed in and weighed in no later than 60 minutes before their division start time.
Failure
Missing weight or failing to weigh in on time will result in disqualification from the affected divisions.
Refund or Credit
No refund or credit is available following a missed weight or late weigh-in disqualification.

Identification checks support athlete safety, fair competition and accurate division placement.

AGE GROUP
ACCEPTED IDENTIFICATION
Adults: 18+
Driving licence, passport or another government-issued photo ID.
Under 18s
Passport or birth certificate.

ITEM
INFORMATION
Rules
Matches follow IBJJF rules together with Empire Grappling’s published amendments and competition formats.
Standard Divisions
We aim to provide two matches in each standard Gi and No-Gi weight division.
Match Guarantee
Two matches cannot be guaranteed where injuries, withdrawals, no-shows or an opponent’s inability to continue prevent this.
Two-Athlete Division
A two-athlete division will normally use a best-of-three format. The first athlete to win two matches wins the division.
Large Divisions
Divisions containing nine or more athletes will award two bronze medals.
Absolute Divisions
Absolutes use a straight-knockout format, meaning an athlete may be eliminated after one match.
Absolute Minimum
Each separate Gi and No-Gi Absolute requires at least eight athletes after approved age-category merges have been completed.
Fees
Published registration prices include applicable taxes and administration charges.

Registering does not guarantee a particular number of matches, opponent, bracket size or division format.

WITHDRAWAL TYPE
REQUIREMENT
Full Registration
Must be withdrawn through Smoothcomp. Sending us a message does not automatically cancel the registration.
One Division Only
Contact us before the applicable deadline. Do not cancel the full registration through Smoothcomp.
Partial Processing
Any refund or credit due for a partial withdrawal will be processed manually after the event.
Used Coupon
A previously redeemed coupon will not be reissued following a voluntary withdrawal.
Unmatched Athlete
Coupon value relating to an unmatched division will be manually reissued by our team.
Non-Transferable
Registrations and coupon credits cannot be transferred to another athlete.

DETAIL
POLICY
Validity
Coupon credits are valid for 24 months from the date of issue.
Usage
Each coupon can only be used once.
Unused Value
Any coupon value not used during the transaction is lost.
Withdrawal After Use
If a coupon is used and the athlete later withdraws voluntarily, the coupon and any unused value will not be reissued.
Replacement
Used, expired, transferred, deleted or misplaced coupons will not be replaced.

TYPE OF ISSUE
PROCESS
Referee or Scoring Decision
Referee decisions made during a match are final and will not be overturned using spectator or privately recorded footage.
Incorrect Recorded Result
Report an incorrectly entered result to the table or Event Manager as soon as possible and before the athlete’s next match wherever possible.
Bracket or Athlete Error
Report an incorrect athlete, division or bracket placement immediately. Corrections may be unavailable once the affected matches have taken place.
Team-Point Error
Academy and affiliation errors caused by incorrect registration information may not be corrected after the amendments deadline.
Conduct Complaint
Report abusive, threatening or inappropriate conduct to the Event Manager or another senior member of staff.
Safeguarding Concern
Safeguarding concerns should be reported privately and immediately to an appropriate member of the Empire Grappling team.
Post-Event Contact
Where an issue cannot be resolved at the venue, email us with the athlete’s name, event, division and relevant details.

DETAIL
INFORMATION
Adult Admission
£10
Children Under 12
Free
Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians must pay the applicable spectator charge.
Payment
Cash and card payments are accepted, subject to venue facilities.
Entry Point
Spectator admission and wristbands are managed at reception.
Access
Spectator admission does not provide coach, competition-area or restricted-area access.

AWARD AREA
POLICY
Medals
Medals are presented once the division is complete. All medallists must be present for the presentation.
Academy Awards
Calculated using the exact academy selected in Smoothcomp.
Affiliation Awards
Calculated using the wider affiliation information where the award applies.
Team Information
Academy and affiliation information must be corrected before the amendments deadline.
Number One Athlete
This award will only be presented where the results provide a clear winner.

CIRCUMSTANCE
OUTCOME
Missed Weight
No refund or credit.
Late Weigh-In
No refund or credit.
Incorrect Registration
No refund or credit where inaccurate information results in disqualification.
Prohibited Clothing or Equipment
No refund or credit where the published requirements were not met.
Failure to Report
No refund or credit where an athlete was not ready when called.
Conduct Disqualification
No refund or credit where an athlete is disqualified or removed for misconduct.
Event-Day No-Show
No refund or credit.
Withdrawal After Final Deadline
No refund or credit, regardless of the reason.

CONDUCT
POSSIBLE ENFORCEMENT
Abuse, Threats or Continued Disrespect
Immediate removal from the competition area or venue.
Aggressive or Disruptive Conduct
Disqualification, removal and forfeiture of fees.
Team or Individual Misconduct
Restrictions or bans from future Empire Grappling events.
Serious Incidents
Venue security or the relevant authorities may be contacted.
Failure to Follow Staff Instructions
Access may be restricted or the person may be removed from the venue.

CONFIRMATION
AGREEMENT
Acceptance of Risk
They understand and voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with participation.
Fitness to Compete
The athlete is physically and medically capable of participating safely.
Medical Information
Relevant medical conditions, injuries or restrictions will be disclosed where necessary for safe participation.
Instructions
The athlete will follow instructions given by referees, medical personnel, event staff and venue staff.
Medical Decisions
Participation will stop where a referee or authorised medical professional considers this necessary.
Emergency Treatment
Qualified medical personnel may provide emergency assessment or treatment where reasonably necessary.
Associated Costs
The athlete is responsible for personal medical, travel and insurance arrangements and any costs not otherwise covered.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Empire Grappling Events Ltd, the venue, event staff, contractors and sponsors will not be responsible for loss, damage or injury arising from the inherent and accepted risks of participation or circumstances outside their reasonable control.

DETAIL
POLICY
Event Recording
Photography, filming and livestreaming may take place throughout the event.
Public Event Areas
Athletes, coaches and spectators may appear in media captured within public areas of the venue.
Use of Media
Event media may be used for reporting, promotion, advertising, websites, social media and future event materials.
Athletes Under 18
The parent or legal guardian provides the applicable participation and media permissions on the athlete’s behalf.
Safeguarding Concerns
Any concern relating to photography or recording should be reported immediately to an Empire Grappling staff member.

OUTCOME
POLICY
Minimum Guarantee
Registered athletes will receive at least a future Empire Grappling event credit.
Additional Options
Depending on the circumstances, we may offer alternative arrangements or a refund.
Communication
The available options will be communicated after the circumstances have been reviewed.
Final Decision
The remedy will be determined by Empire Grappling and communicated directly to affected athletes.

This applies where an event is cancelled, postponed or materially rescheduled because of government restrictions, venue closure, public emergencies or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

ITEM
INFORMATION
Policies
Privacy, data protection, safeguarding, event rules, risk assessments and other relevant policies apply.
Documents
Available on the Empire Grappling Documents page.
Company
Empire Grappling Events Ltd
Email
info@empiregrapplingevents.com

AGREEMENT
CONFIRMATION
Registration Information
The information provided is complete and accurate.
Published Terms
They have read and accepted these terms and the event information published on Smoothcomp.
Deadlines
They understand the applicable registration, amendment, refund, credit and withdrawal deadlines.
Competition Format
They understand that match numbers, opponents, timings and division formats cannot be guaranteed.
Rules and Conduct
They accept the competition rules, referee authority, safety requirements and Code of Conduct.
Authority
They have authority to provide the required permissions for the registered athlete.
Event Updates
They will check Smoothcomp for amendments, brackets, timings and other event updates.