Empire Grappling: South Yorkshire Open 2026
At a Glance
Description
By registering for this event, you agree to the following terms, conditions, and event guidelines (as detailed on the event page in Smoothcomp).
EVENT DETAILS
| ITEM | INFORMATION |
| Event | South Yorkshire Open |
| Date | Saturday, 5th September 2026 |
| Venue | Barnsley Metrodome, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN |
EVENT SCHEDULE (APPROX.)
| ACTIVITY | TIME |
| Doors Open | 8:00am |
| Spectator Entry | 8:00am |
| Weigh-ins Begin | 8:00am |
| Matches Begin | 9:00am |
REGISTRATION
This is a pre-registration only event. No late or on-the-day sign-ups will be accepted.
- Registration may close early if venue capacity is reached.
- Each registration period is capped at 250 competitors.
| PERIOD | CLOSES |
| Early Bird | Saturday, 27th June 2026 |
| Normal | Saturday, 25th July 2026 |
| Late | Thursday, 27th August 2026 |
SPECIAL OFFER
We are proud to support experienced athletes by offering discounts on registration.
| ELIGIBILITY | DISCOUNT |
| BJJ Brown Belt | 50% off |
| BJJ Black Belt | 50% off |
| Pro MMA Fighter* | 50% off |
*Pro MMA Fighters must have 3+ professional fights.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
| CONDITION | DETAIL |
| Minimum Fights | Pro MMA fighters must have at least 3 professional fights. |
| Prior Support | You must have supported Empire Grappling in the past to qualify. |
| Availability | Limited places are available per event. |
| Right to Refuse | Empire Grappling reserves the right to deny this discount if necessary. |
| Retroactive Discounts | Discounts cannot be applied after payment has been made. |
| Automatic Application | Offer is not automatic on Smoothcomp. |
| Claim Process | To claim, email info@empiregrapplingevents.com before making payment with the following: |
| 1) Which event would you like to register for? | |
| 2) A link to your Smoothcomp profile to confirm your belt ranking (please ensure your profile is set to public). | |
| 3) A link to your Tapology profile confirming you are a Pro MMA fighter with 3+ Pro MMA bouts. |
AMENDMENTS
| ACTION | DEADLINE | METHOD |
| Division Changes | Saturday, 29th August 2026 10:00pm | Smoothcomp only |
🎥 Tutorials: How to Amend | How to Cancel
WEIGH-INS
| DETAIL | RULE / REQUIREMENT |
| Location | On the day only |
| With my Gi? | You can weigh-in without your Gi |
| Coverage | One weigh-in covers all divisions |
| Timing | Open usually from 8:00am until 60 minutes before division |
| Allowance | Zero allowance |
| Failure | Missed weight or late weigh-in = disqualification |
IDENTIFICATION CHECKS
To ensure athlete safety, fairness, and accurate division placement, ID checks are being introduced at Empire Grappling events.
| AGE GROUP | ACCEPTED ID |
| Adults (18+) | Driving Licence, Passport, or other government-issued photo ID |
| Children (under 18) | Birth Certificate or Passport |
Implementation will begin with random spot checks at upcoming events. By the end of 2026, ID verification will become mandatory for all athletes during check-in.
⚠️ Failure to provide valid ID when requested may result in disqualification without refund.
ATHLETES
| ITEM | INFORMATION |
| Fees | All taxes and admin included |
| Waiver | May be required on the day |
| Minimum Matches | 2 per athlete (Gi and No-Gi), unless prevented by injury or withdrawal |
| Absolute Divisions | Straight knockout format |
REFUND AND CREDIT POLICY
| CONDITION | REFUND / CREDIT | METHOD |
| Withdraw more than 28 days before event | 100% Refund | Smoothcomp |
| Withdraw 7–27 days before event | 100% Credit | Smoothcomp |
| Amendments deadline → 24 hrs post brackets | 50% Credit | Smoothcomp |
| After deadlines | No refund/credit | N/A |
| DEADLINE TYPE | DATE |
| Refund | Saturday, 8th August 2026 |
| Credit | Saturday, 29th August 2026 |
⚠️ Credits can only be used once. If used and then withdrawn, the credit is lost and will not be reissued (including unused portions).
⚠️ Withdrawals made after the 50% credit window are not eligible for refunds or credits under any circumstances.
⚠️ Registrations are non-transferable.
🎥 Tutorial: How to Withdraw
COUPON CODES
| DETAIL | RULE |
| Validity | 24 months (2 years) |
| Usage | Single use only |
| Replacement Policy | No replacement if used and later withdrawn |
BRACKETS AND SCHEDULE
| ITEM | DETAIL |
| Release Date | Tuesday, 1st September 2026 |
| Display | Live order on venue screens and Smoothcomp mobile |
| Courtesy Calls | May be made, but athlete must be ready |
| Bullpen Arrival | 20–30 mins before match |
| Presence | Must be weighed in and present 60 mins before division start |
MEDALS AND TEAM TROPHIES
| AWARD TYPE | NOTES |
| Medals | Awarded once division is complete. All medallists must be present. |
| Team Trophies | Academy Champions |
| Affiliation Champions | |
| Gi Academy Champions | |
| No-Gi Academy Champions | |
| Kids Academy Champions | |
| Kids Affiliation Champions | |
| Eligibility | Awards given to individual academies only (not combined affiliations) |
| Additional | #1 Athlete of the Event (only if there is a clear winner) |
VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF
We welcome referees and event staff.
| ROLE | BENEFITS |
| Referees and Staff | Competitive pay + lunch allowance |
| Athlete Volunteers | Free registration in exchange for setup/pack-down or event help |
📧 To apply, email: info@empiregrapplingevents.com
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
By registering, you confirm:
- You accept the risks of martial arts, including potential injury, loss, or death.
- You waive all claims against Empire Grappling, venues, sponsors, and participants.
- You are in good physical health and able to compete safely.
- In an emergency, you authorise licensed medical staff to treat you at your expense.
- You consent to being filmed, photographed, and recorded for promotional purposes, including by attending public.
- For minors, the legal guardian grants permission for participation.
⚠️ Violations may result in disqualification, forfeiture of fees, and bans from future events.
CODE OF CONDUCT
| RULE | ENFORCEMENT |
| Zero tolerance for abuse, threats, or disrespect | Offenders will be removed immediately |
| Teams/individuals causing issues | May face future bans |
| Severe incidents | Authorities may be contacted |
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If government restrictions or similar prevent the event, all entry fees will be converted into credit for a future Empire Grappling event.
POLICIES AND CONTACT
| ITEM | DETAIL |
| Policies | Privacy, Data Protection, Safeguarding, Risk Assessments |
| Documents | Available at Empire Grappling Documents |
| info@empiregrapplingevents.com | |
| Company | Kakushin Events Ltd T/A Empire Grappling (Yorkshire) |
📧 Still have questions? Contact us at info@empiregrapplingevents.com
Divisions
- Gi / Kids£55
- No-Gi / Kids£55
- Gi / Juvenile£55
- No-Gi / Juvenile£55
- Gi / Male£60
- No-Gi / Male£60
- Gi / Female£60
- No-Gi / Female£60
- Gi / Male / Absolute£30
- No-Gi / Male / Absolute£30
- Gi / Female / Absolute£30
- No-Gi / Female / Absolute£30
Organizer
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the South Yorkshire Open 2026?
The event is on Saturday, 5th September 2026 at Barnsley Metrodome, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN.
What time do doors open and matches start?
Doors open, spectator entry begins, and weigh-ins begin at 8:00am. Matches begin at 9:00am.
What are the registration deadlines?
This is a pre-registration only event, with no late or on-the-day sign-ups accepted. Early Bird closes Saturday, 27th June 2026; Normal closes Saturday, 25th July 2026; Late closes Thursday, 27th August 2026. Registration may close early if venue capacity is reached, and each registration period is capped at 250 competitors.
Are any registration discounts available?
BJJ Brown Belts, BJJ Black Belts, and Pro MMA Fighters may be eligible for 50% off. Pro MMA Fighters must have at least 3 professional fights, and the offer is not automatic on Smoothcomp; email info@empiregrapplingevents.com before paying to claim it.
What is the deadline for division changes?
Division changes must be made by Saturday, 29th August 2026 at 10:00pm. Changes must be made through Smoothcomp only.
How do weigh-ins work?
Weigh-ins are on the day only and usually open from 8:00am until 60 minutes before the division. You can weigh in without your Gi, one weigh-in covers all divisions, there is zero allowance, and missed weight or late weigh-in means disqualification.
What ID is accepted for competitors?
Adults aged 18+ may use a Driving Licence, Passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Children under 18 may use a Birth Certificate or Passport. Failure to provide valid ID when requested may result in disqualification without refund.
What is the refund and credit policy?
Withdrawing more than 28 days before the event gives a 100% refund via Smoothcomp, with the refund deadline listed as Saturday, 8th August 2026. Withdrawing 7–27 days before the event gives 100% credit, with the credit deadline listed as Saturday, 29th August 2026; from the amendments deadline to 24 hrs post brackets, 50% credit applies. After the deadlines, there is no refund or credit, and registrations are non-transferable.
When are brackets and schedules released?
Brackets and schedules are released on Tuesday, 1st September 2026. The live order will be shown on venue screens and the Smoothcomp mobile app; athletes must be weighed in and present 60 mins before their division start and arrive at the bullpen 20–30 mins before their match.
What competition format details are stated?
The event states a minimum of 2 matches per athlete for Gi and No-Gi, unless prevented by injury or withdrawal. Absolute divisions use a straight knockout format.
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