Team Composition

The WTDGC 2026 will feature two (2) competition divisions:

  • Open Team Division
  • Masters Team Division

Each country may register one team per division, subject to eligibility requirements and available event capacity.

ELIGIBILITY

All WFDF Member National Federations in good standing are invited to participate.

All players participating in WTDGC must:

  • Hold a current PDGA membership
  • Hold valid PDGA Certified Official status
  • Meet all applicable WFDF eligibility requirements
  • Comply with applicable anti-doping requirements and procedures
  • Be prepared to participate in anti-doping testing if selected during the event

WTDGC is conducted under applicable anti-doping regulations and all participants are expected to cooperate fully with any testing, education or compliance procedures implemented for the championship.

More information regarding anti-doping requirements is available in the Anti-Doping section.

ONE NATIONAL TEAM PRINCIPLE

For WTDGC purposes, Open and Masters teams from the same country are generally considered one national team competing across two divisions.

This means:

  • Players may be registered in both divisions (subject to competition limitations)
  • Non-Playing Team Members (NPTM) may support both divisions
  • Players and NPTM registered across both divisions pay only one participation fee
  • Every Player and NPTM must use one unique identification number throughout the entire event

This principle is intended to support smaller National Federations that may operate as one national delegation across both divisions.

OPEN TEAM COMPOSITION

Minimum team composition (6 players minimum):

  • 4 × MPO
  • 2 × FPO

A team may register up to 12 players.

In each match, six (6) players compete.

For each team game, players are nominated into the following positions:

  • MPO1
  • MPO2
  • MPO3
  • MPO4
  • FPO1
  • FPO2

MPO positions are ordered according to current PDGA rating for that specific game (MPO1 being the highest-rated nominated MPO player), while FPO positions follow the same principle within the female roster.

The competition format follows the established WTDGC team match play structure using a combination of Singles and Doubles matches.

OPEN DIVISION PARTICIPATION ALLOWANCE
Player fee is USD 150

WFDF recognises that some countries may wish to enter the event but are unable to field a complete standard roster.

To encourage participation from as many nations as possible while maintaining fair competition and inclusiveness, an allowance may be granted for Open Teams that cannot meet the standard eligibility requirements.

Such teams may include players outside the usual eligibility criteria; however:

  • They are not eligible for official placement
  • They are not eligible for medals

Any team wishing to request such an exception must contact Tournament Technical Director Craig Sheather prior to registration.

Priority is given to fully eligible national teams. Exception teams may only be accepted if places remain after the standard registration deadline.

MASTERS TEAM COMPOSITION

Minimum team composition (6 players minimum):

  • 3 × MP40
  • 2 × FP40
  • 1 × MP50

A team may register up to 12 players.

In each match, six (6) players compete.

Masters Division follows the same overall team competition principles as Open Division while using player composition adapted to Masters eligibility categories.

MASTERS DIVISION PARTICIPATION ALLOWANCE

WFDF recognises that some countries may wish to participate but are unable to assemble a complete Masters roster.

To support participation, alternate players may be included under the following limits:

  • MP40 or Alternate — Mixed player with PDGA rating below 920
  • MP50 or Alternate — MP40 player with PDGA rating below 920 or Mixed player with PDGA rating below 900
  • FP40 or Alternate — Female player with PDGA rating below 820

In each match:

  • Six (6) players compete
  • Maximum two (2) alternate players may play

PLAYING IN BOTH DIVISIONS

Where eligibility requirements are met, a player may compete in both Open and Masters divisions.

The following limitations apply:

  • A player may not play more than 8 team matches in total during the event
  • A player may not compete in both divisions within the same match round
  • To participate in the final stage of a division, the player must already have played at least one earlier match in that division
  • The player must be included on the official roster of each division represented

Once rosters are locked (8 weeks prior to the event), players cannot be added or transferred between divisions.

NON-PLAYING TEAM MEMBERS (NPTM)
NPTS fee is USD 125

NPTM are considered an integral part of the national team and may include:

  • Team Captain
  • Coach
  • Caddie
  • Team Manager
  • Other approved team representatives

Because NPTM move together with players and access player areas during competition, they are expected to comply with the same behavioural expectations and competition-related procedures that normally apply to caddies in PDGA competition.
NPTM are awarded a medal if team is a winner of Gold, Silver, Bronze or SOTG.

All NPTM actively accompanying teams on course:

  • Must wear official national team uniform
  • Must display their unique identification number
  • Must comply with event procedures and conduct requirements

NON-PLAYING TEAM SUPPORT (NPTS)
NPTS fee is USD 100

NPTS accreditation is intended for individuals travelling together with a national team but who are not directly involved in competition operations on the course.

Typical examples may include:

  • Family members
  • Medical support personnel
  • Media representatives
  • Federation representatives
  • Additional support staff
  • Other approved guests

Unlike Players and NPTM, NPTS are not considered active participants in matches and do not receive access to player-only operational areas or movement rights on the course.

Where NPTS individuals wish to actively accompany teams during competition rounds (for example as caddies or coaches), they should instead register under the appropriate NPTM category.

The purpose of the NPTS category is to support broader participation and allow teams to travel as complete national delegations while maintaining clear operational distinction between competition and support roles.

INCOMPLETE LINEUPS

Teams are strongly encouraged to maintain complete rosters throughout the championship.

If a team cannot field all required player positions for a match, the affected matchup is automatically forfeited while the remaining scheduled matches continue normally.

Teams may not choose which positions to forfeit. Match participation follows the official player order and the lowest designated positions are forfeited first.

For example:

  • An Open team competing with 4 MPO and 1 FPO player automatically forfeits the FPO2 matchup
  • If a team is missing one MPO player, the forfeited matchup would be MPO4 rather than MPO1
  • Higher designated positions (such as MPO1 and FPO1) remain active wherever possible

The remaining scheduled matches are still played normally and continue to contribute points toward the overall team result.

This principle applies generally to any required player position that cannot be fielded.

The purpose of this rule is to allow teams to continue participating and remain competitive rather than automatically withdrawing from the championship, while maintaining fairness and preserving the integrity of team composition requirements.

The Tournament Technical Director retains final authority regarding incomplete lineup situations and exceptional circumstances.