EDGA Competition Structure 2027-28

1. Introduction

This is a proposal for a tiered competition structure, or pyramid, to meet the needs of the EDGA membership based on the experience and interests of members in 2025 and 2026. This creates a coherent “top of the pyramid” for two seasons, while the EDGA focuses on building clubs and growing the player base. We need to double our membership before we can be considered an established sport. This setup needs to work effectively through that growth, and so we need to consult top level players on what we need to take into account in the design.

This structure will be underpinned by the EDGA Tour, as this model is familiar to the playing community around the world and within the UK, and is central to the membership model for the EDGA. Requiring EDGA membership to play at Tour events in 2025 & 2026 resulted in a growth in EDGA membership from 144 in 2024 to 418 in 2025 and 401 in 2026, a 180-190% increase in members. Retaining and building on this membership increase is central to the overall EDGA strategy for Disc Golf in England and should be reflected in the competition structure.

2. The Proposal

The competition structure comprises a series of individual events, while also providing a “season” (the EDGA Tour) within which cumulative performance can be acknowledged and rewarded, in part to encourage (more) participation and monitor progression at different levels within the community. A Tour Finale (Major) will return as the end of season event, with qualification based on season long performance, so you will have a Tour Champion (based on season points) and a Finale Champion (based on performance at this event) each year. This incentivises players to participate in more events and go to new events/courses.

At the top of the pyramid are majors (M) with enhanced tournament requirements/standards in line with the PDGA Competition Manual Variances for International Events (https://www.pdga.com/rules/competition-manual/603). 

Qualification for Majors will be managed with priority given to the elite divisions or highest performing players over the season using PDGA rating and/or EDGA Tour Points. This would be in contrast to minimum Full membership and registration on a first-come-first served basis to be used for standard Tour events, where more flexibility is offered to TDs. 

For Majors, a smaller number of “required” divisions may be on offer in line with this “elite” status, and the expectation is that cards are limited to a maximum of 4 players. In all these, and other, aspects, Majors are intended to reflect a more “special/high desirability” event status, where victory stands out to all divisions within the EDGA membership base as having great value. The event standards for Majors would be of the highest level for TDs and event staff, which could potentially be reflected in event cost, in addition to PDGA requirements for added cash at particular tiers. In addition, ‘Major’ events would be better suited to changes to format/structure such as longer, through additional days or rounds (>2 days or 54 holes), or utilisation of a non-shotgun start to enable a greater field size (>72 players).

Tiered entry

Three of the Major events would utilise a tiered registration process, based on PDGA rating at the time of registration, to help define the Majors as Elite events played by the best (highest rated) players. This could be one way to evidence our alignment with PDGA Europe, and make a specific link to trying to grow their membership numbers.

PDGA Rating Minimum at Registration

UK Active PDGA Membership 2026 – England, Scotland, Wales

3. What makes a “Major”

Some could be considered “ambitions” or guidance

*alignment with European expectation may be necessary/beneficial in time (29 Jul-1 Aug 2027).

4. British Majors 2027-28

British Nationals

– most prestigious UK event, required by PDGA to crown champions in MPO, FPO, MP40, FP40, MA1, FA1, MJ18, FJ18. Premium EDGA or SDGA membership will be required for all participants, with a tiered registration process. British Nationality OR Residency requirement in Trophy divisions, with a large field (90+), fewest divisions (Max 10) and tee times for all three rounds. 

Hosted by EDGA and SDGA, alternating annually, EDGA hosts British Nationals in “even” years, starting in 2026.

British Open

– long-standing event, specifically open to international players to create the most competitive field in the British calendar (i.e. incl. Scotland & Wales) with a tiered registration process, no SDGA/EDGA Membership requirement for non-residents. This three-day event is the priority for development as a consistent PDGA B-Tier/Q-Series event, with a large field (90+), limited divisions, and tee times for all three rounds.

Hosted by EDGA and SDGA, alternating annually, EDGA will host the British Open in “odd” years, starting in 2027.

EDGA National Championships

– premier annual EDGA event, only open to EDGA Premium Members, with a British Nationality OR Residency requirement, and tiered registration process. This could be linked directly to clubs by offering qualification wild cards to club champions (TBC).

Could use Tour participation numbers to determine division inclusion and sizes (like Tour Finale), if the minimum division number is met (4 for Mixed divisions, 3 for Female/Junior) and until the event is at capacity. Divisions would open in line with PDGA rating of registration tiers. Based on 2025, F/MA2, F/MA40 and F/MA50, along with F/MJ12 would be made available at Tier 2, & F/MA3 at Tier 3.

EDGA Tour Finale

– qualification based on Tour Points gained during the season, so participation as a specific contrast to the PDGA rating for Nationals. EDGA Premium Membership will be required for all participants, and registration initially limited to the top 4 or 8 players in each division (with qualification passed down in division) based on number of players during the season. The event would include all divisions from the Tour Season that meet the participation requirements, with the size of division initially offered based on participation numbers. For 2026 the suggestion was seven 8-player divisions (MPO, MA40, MA1,2,3, FPO, FA1), and eight 4-player divisions (MP40, MP50, MA50, MA4, FP40, FA3, MJ18 and FJ18) although several divisions may not sell out. For 2027 the suggestion would be seven 8-player divisions (MPO, MA40, MA1,2,3, FPO, FA1), and eight 4-player divisions (MP40, MP50, MA50, MA4, FP40, FA3, MJ18 and FJ18). It will be possible to confirm the division specifics at the time registration opens.

Other Options: 

EDGA Matchplay Championships – a national major using a different event format (match play rather than stroke play) would add to the range of events on offer. EDGA Premium Membership will be required for all participants, and there would be less divisions offered in line with British Nationals.

5. Calendar Coordination

Our geographic location is well suited to EDGA Members participating in wider UK Majors and other events. We will work with the relevant governing bodies (SDGA & AIDG) to coordinate our 2027 & 2028 calendars. The initial focus is avoiding clashes with the following UK & Ireland events both for Majors and EDGA Tour Events. 

SDGA National Championships – premier national event hosted by SDGA; Scottish Open – SDGA; Irish Open – AIDG; Welsh Open – TBC.

Once this has been established, wider coordination with France and the Benelux Countries should be considered, as well as the Euro Tour and PDGA Majors starting in 2028 or 2029.

6. EDGA Tour Events

The EDGA Tour is central to providing opportunities to play competitive disc golf and disc golf growth within England. Encouraging long-term provision of quality events through a season-long calendar has benefits in multiple areas, including promoting disc golf clubs to manage the events in perpetuity, supporting sustainability of courses by encouraging maintenance and development in line with Tour Standards, and showcasing “new” courses to the community. This tier of events sits below “Majors” and is open to those with ‘Full’ or ‘Premium’ membership for the year of the event, on a “first-come, first-serve basis”, rather than the more exclusive requirements of Majors. The more open variation in standard at these events, from Pro to ‘A4 and ‘J12 divisions, should be supported by multiple layouts where possible.

We want clubs/courses to host an annual event that becomes part of the EDGA Tour and an amateur/junior focused local/regional Tour. At the current level of course provision, the EDGA Tour should offer the opportunity to play at all/most of the available 18 hole courses that meet Tour requirements, and for which a TD is willing to run a Tour-level event, either in a one- or two-day (36 or 54 hole) format. Members have clearly shown in 2025 and 2026 that they are interested in both types of events and in playing Tour events which happen at their local courses. As well as offering the maximum opportunity to sustain and grow membership numbers from the 2025 baseline, this will ensure we keep the existing TDs/clubs/events engaged with the EDGA in the long run and help improve/sustain standards.

After Majors, EDGA Tour Events will receive priority in the sanctioning process but be subject to some calendar management particularly in relation to spreading events around regions throughout the year to avoid a glut of events in one location. Tour Standards would apply to these events but aim to strike a balance between professionalism and effort required by TDs/event staff in terms of preparation and course set up. As an example, course set-up that included whiskers for the 10m circle, may be more onerous for a TD who is unable to access volunteer support from a disc golf club or similar, and so consideration should be given to issues/requirements such as these when assigning/confirming events.

Based on 2025 and 2026 participation numbers and Tour Data Analysis, a balance of one- and two-day events will be welcomed by the community in 2027/28. The 2025 analysis (shared at the 2025 AGM) includes a view that an “average” player in the most committed group will play 5 two-day and 2 one-day events, and that these will be spread around the country/course based on individual preferences for both date and location. In the lower participation groups (in terms of Tour events played) there were lots of examples of members who were focussed on playing events in a particular region i.e. only at their local course(s).

Tour Events attract players from the wider community and create opportunities to generate income for clubs, courses, TDs, and retailers, which can be used to sustain/support different disc golf elements. As such, any artificial limitations on hosting events should be carefully considered, as well as the potential value in awarding the right to host a Tour event.

6. Club and Regional Events, Leagues & Tours

To avoid the EDGA Tour being seen as the “preferred” mode of event provision or attempting to monopolise disc golf participation, and in line with the strategic focus on growing/supporting disc golf clubs, the boundaries between events happening nationally and regionally/locally in particular when focussed on clubs/courses needs to be kept in mind. Feedback suggested that the number of Tour events in 2025 made scheduling non-Tour events more challenging, and so the 2026 calendar was published with a reduced number of Tour/National events and specific gaps in the Tour schedule. Further direct feedback from players/clubs/TDs should continue to be sought as to how best this is done.

Given the EDGA’s role in appointing the PDGA country coordinator, whose responsibilities include sanctioning PDGA events, managing engagement with clubs and TDs at this Tier of events is inevitable. Building a process that takes account of the wider strategic aims of retaining and growing membership will be important.

In general, club/course leagues/events with their own membership requirement would not be expected to require an EDGA Membership and should be sanctioned (by the PDGA Country Coordinator) in line with local requirements and not be considered to clash with Tour Events as they are aimed at a different audience. There is growing use of non-PDGA tools within this Tier of events, such as U-Disc leagues, that are currently free to use but don’t offer the carrot of ratings. 

We want clubs/courses to host an annual amateur/junior focused local/regional Tour event and an annual event that becomes part of the EDGA Tour. Ensuring players who are new to the game are given the chance to participate in National level events at their local course should be encouraged, both as a sporting development opportunity and to connect EDGA membership with players at all clubs. To encourage greater sign up from this cohort of players to basic/“Full” EDGA membership, consideration should be given to the EDGA “sponsoring” a club/course event/Title where Full EDGA membership IS required.