AETA Open English Championships 2026
17th/18th October 2026
EARLY BIRD REDUCED PRICING IN EFFECT UNTIL OCTOBER 2ND 23:59
Only members affiliated to the ITF www.itftkd.sport are eligible to participate. The exception is if outside groups are interested in having an opportunity to experience our ITF events with a view to applying to join the ITF or ITF England. If this is the case please email us at competitions@aeta.uk then we will contact ITF England or the NA from the country applying.
AGE RANGES – Male and Female Categories split
Child (born in 2017 or after)
Cadet (born in 2014, 2015 or 2016)
Pre-Junior (born in 2011, 2012 or 2013)
Junior (born in 2008, 2009 or 2010)
Adult (born from 1990 to 2007)
Senior (born in 1989 or before – or can choose to enter the Adult category but cannot do both and must use 1990 as the year of birth on entry)
Events
- Pattern
- Sparring
- Special Technique (2 techniques for Child/Cadet/Pre-Junior and Junior Colour Belts)
- Black Belt Special Technique (5 techniques for Junior and Adult)
- Power Test (2 techniques for Adult and Senior Colour Belts and Black Belt Seniors)
- Black Belt Power Test (5 techniques for Junior and Adult)
Entry Fees
Only clubs can enter this event and not associations. Apply with your school name and instructor, once accepted you will be able to apply to enter this event.
Child/Cadet/Pre-Junior/Junior/Adult/Senior (re-qualification) – £55 (Early Bird: £45 until October 2nd)
Pre-Junior/Junior/Adult Black Belts (league) – £65 (Early Bird: £55 until October 2nd)
Spectator Fees
Spectator fees are a single price which covers each individual for the two days. These fees go towards covering the costs for the umpires. Spectators cannot enter the competition area.
4yrs and Under: Free
5yrs+: £5
Coaches Fees
Coaches will be required to pay the spectator entry but must have pre-registered for a coaches pass (Any number of your competitors can coach each other). Coaches are not a requirement in this event for the colour belts, therefore if the opposing competitor does not have a coach, the other competitor will also not have a coach to make it fair on both competitors. On Sunday, Black Belts must have a coach for Sparring.
Coach min age 12 yrs for Saturday and 15yrs for Sunday and must be licensed and training in TKD.
Coaches Attire: Club T-shirt, track suit, trousers, socks, training shoes and a towel. No coaching in dobok is permitted.
Coaches passes are non-transferable and are valid only for the original applicant.
Those only attending to coach should acquire their pass via their Instructor’s access to the Competition Manager site.
Referees
We would like to invite all Black Belts to volunteer as umpires on Saturday to help ensure fairness and the smooth operation of the event. With Black Belt competitions taking place on Sunday, this is a great opportunity for experienced referees—and those looking to gain valuable experience—to officiate at a high level.
This event also serves as an excellent platform for umpires to demonstrate their skills, potentially opening doors to officiate at international competitions in the future.
Compensation for Sunday Only
Referees selected to officiate on Sunday will receive compensation as follows:
• Class A/B Jury President: £75
• Class A/B Centre Referee or Referee: £50
• Class C Referee: £30
Only 42 umpires will be accepted for Sunday through the online application process. The following minimum qualifications are required for each role:
• Jury President: Class A or B
• Centre Referee: Class A or B
• Referee: At least Class C
• Class D (trained 1st/2nd Kups) may also volunteer to referee or serve as jury members for experience and development.
When registering, please provide your ITF umpire number and bank details for payment processing. Those without an ITF umpire number are still welcome to officiate voluntarily, though compensation will not be provided. Lower-certified umpires may also be considered for Centre Referee or Jury President roles where appropriate.
We are committed to providing our competitors with the highest standard of officiating. All compensation for umpires is funded through spectator and coach admission fees—thank you for helping make this event a success.
Applications to umpire will open on 15th June 2026 and closes on 11th October, you will be notified immediately once accepted. You will be able to apply on the website www.aeta.uk.
Dress Code – Navy blue suit, white shirt, navy blue tie, white socks, white trainers, pen. For Class D (1st/2nd Kup) Dark trousers, white shirt (no tie), white socks, trainers.
Fine for not submitting umpires for Sunday
For clubs not submitting umpires on the Sunday, the following fines will apply and must be settled by Wednesday 14th October.
1-3 Competitors 0 Umpire £0
4-14 Competitors 1 Umpire or £75 fine
15+ Competitors 2 Umpires or £150 fine
Schedule
Friday 16th October (at The Dolphin)
18.00-20.00 Early registration and weigh in (all ages and grades)
Saturday 17th October
8.00am Umpires arrival
8.00am-9.00am Registration for Child and Cadet
8.30am Umpire Meeting – Umpires’ Room
9.00am Coaches’ Meeting
9.30am Competition Starts for Child and Cadet
12.30pm-1.30pm Registration for Pre-Junior Colour Belts; Optional advance registration for Junior, Adult and Senior Colour Belts and Black Belts and Pre-Junior Black Belts
2.30pm Competition Starts for Pre-Junior Colour Belts
Sunday 18th October
8.00am Umpires arrival
8.30am Umpire Meeting – Umpires’ Room
8.00am-9.00am Registration for Pre-Junior Black Belts and Junior, Adult and Senior Colour Belts and Black Belts
9.00am Coaches’ Meeting
9.30am Competition Starts for Pre-Junior Black Belts and all Junior, Adult and Seniors
Draws
On the Saturday we are using a re-qualification system that means if a competitor loses a round then they will compete again in the Bronze medal draw where up to two bronze medals will be up for grabs on the Saturday. On the Sunday we will use a League system for Pre-Junior, Junior and Adult Black Belt divisions and there will only be one bronze medal available in all divisions. In the case of 3 competitors in a draw it will be a round robin, with four competitors it means after losing the first round they will still compete for Bronze, once a competitor loses two bouts then they are out of the draw.
There will be up to 1 gold, 1 silver and up to 2 bronze medals available for each division on Saturday and 1 bronze medal on Sunday unless in special technique or power test where less than 3 competitors are successful in passing the first round. These special medals are custom made, exclusive AETA medals with OPEN ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 written on the ribbon.
Only medals that are won can go towards points for overall competitors and Club awards. Medals will still be handed out though in categories of 4 or less on the Saturday, that will not count towards overall points. Overall champions from each age range and from all three events will receive a special overall trophy.
There will be 3 overall club trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. This is only available for clubs and not for associations who amalgamate students under one name.
Venue
The Dolphin, Haywards Heath, RH16 1LY
(score.lateral.questions – What3Words)
Tel: 01444 457337
Full Invitation
For more detail on:
Travel Directions
Electronic Scoring
Draw System
Rules
Divisions
Welfare/Safeguarding
Please download the full invitation: