General Bid Guidelines

PDGA Major Championships

Overview

We are now accepting bids for the 2027 US Women's Championship and 2028 PDGA Major Events. If no viable bids are received for 2028, all submitted bids will be considered for 2026 instead, and the 2028 bid process will be reopened in 2026. This document, along with the accompanying Bid Specifics document(s), serves as your roadmap for preparing a successful proposal. It outlines key requirements and expectations to help you submit a comprehensive and well-structured bid that meets all criteria for consideration.

To improve your chances of selection, we strongly encourage you not to bid for only one of our 11 PDGA Majors. Instead, consider submitting proposals for one to three events, listing your top choice first. We also grade these on completion; if you leave something blank and give us no information we will grade accordingly.

It is in your best interest to put in a complete bid as well as note your plan and that you are still waiting for some additional information.

• Bid Submission Deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
• Selection Announcement: January 2026

Bid Submission Contact

Please send all bids and correspondence via email to:

Phill Diloné
PDGA Director of Competition
Tel: +1-762-271-4485
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pdga.com

1. Introduction

1.1 About Disc Golf

Disc Golf uses the same general rules, terminology, and etiquette as traditional golf. However, instead of using a range of clubs to hit a ball into a hole in the ground, a competitor throws a sport-specific flying disc or Frisbee® into a standardized disc-catching target. There are 18 pro-rated targets, and the game's object is to play the course with the fewest number of throws of the disc as possible.

The sport was formalized in the 1970s and is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it an excellent lifetime fitness sport. The fact that nearly every American has thrown a flying disc at some point in their lives gives the game broad appeal and a receptive audience. Over 10,000+ disc golf courses can be found in the U.S. and over 90 countries worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing exponential growth and popularity with a total global course count at just over 16,250 courses according to UDisc.

1.2 About the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is the international governing body for disc golf and the largest organization for disc golf in the world. It is a member-governed 501(c)(4) non-profit association based in Appling, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1976, the PDGA comprises over 309,164 lifetime members across 90 countries. In 2024, the PDGA sanctioned 10,547 competitive events for professional and amateur players, and that number grows annually. As the governing body, the PDGA will provide support and guidance to the local organizing committee throughout the planning and execution of the event via different resources we’ve developed.

The PDGA also writes and maintains the sport's rules, sets the standards for equipment used in play, manages a player rating and points system, and publishes the sport’s leading magazine, DiscGolfer.

For more information, visit www.pdga.com.

1.3 Structure of PDGA Major Championships

For each of its owned 11 Major Championships, the PDGA seeks hosts and encourages bids from around the US (for USWDGC and US Masters) and the World (all Worlds events). An experienced disc golf club, non/for-profit businesses, or an individual working in conjunction with a community sports commission, visitor’s bureau, or facilities owner will formulate the local organizing committee (LOC) and can submit a bid. The LOC is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the event, including venue selection, course preparation, player registration, and event promotion. The PDGA Staff will review all bids and select a host based on their experience running a large, sanctioned disc golf event, the contents of the bid, suitable facilities, the proximity of courses and venues to each other, and other requirements.

1.4 About PDGA Major Disc Golf Championships

These international competitions are limited to qualified PDGA members who compete for Major Championship titles in multiple age and gender-based divisions. All amateur competitions will be run in “True Amateur” fashion. This means the event will adhere to strict amateur-only rules, ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all participants. Upon request, the PDGA will provide HOST with more information on True Am events.

The expected number of competitors for each event is listed within each bid package and is generally based on the number of available courses, appropriate courses, and historic attendance.

PDGA Major Events are your chance to host a national or international sporting event, draw interest and attention to your city, and generate economic impact for local businesses and the community.

2. Host Eligibility Requirements

2.1 PDGA Membership and Payments

To submit a bid, the listed Tournament Director (TD) and Assistant TD must be:

• A current PDGA member in good standing
• A current PDGA rules official
• Up to date with all past tournament payments and reporting
• Vastly experienced in hosting large PDGA-sanctioned events (A Tier and above)
• Willing to collaborate with the PDGA and adhere to major competition standards

2.2 Endorsements & Support

The final bid should include a letter of endorsement and support from the following:

• The PDGA coordinator of the region where the event will be hosted. The regional coordinator does not necessarily have to be directly involved with the event's planning, but it is preferred that they support your intentions.
• The local convention and visitor’s bureau, sports commission, or tourism department in the city or cities where the event will be hosted. This letter should pledge their support for the event and outline how they will assist in its promotion and execution. It can also include letters from any local dignitaries who are in support of the event.
• The parks department or venue owners of the disc golf courses on which the event will be played.

2.3 Bid Committee Structure

The bid is preferred to come from a registered non-profit organization, LLC, or legal entity. The bidder is strongly encouraged to adopt a structure that protects their financial interests, i.e., ideally eliminating or minimizing any potential risk of personal monetary liability arising from the event.

Unacceptable bid committees are politically motivated groups, religious organizations, or corporations whose primary business conflicts with PDGA's vision, mission, and value statements.

3. Bid Submission

3.1 Bid Application Process

Your primary contact will be the PDGA Director of Competition, who may follow up with you directly to ask for more information, clarification, or supporting documents. A PDGA representative may also visit the site during the selection process and will reach out to coordinate this if needed.

The PDGA Director of Competition, Senior Director of Operations, Executive Director, and Event Operations and Logistics Team will review all bids and make recommendations to the PDGA Executive Director. Before the recommendation is sent to the Executive Director, there will be an opportunity to respond to any questions arising from the review of each bid.

All bids should include the event's name and the year or years you want to be considered.

The official title of the tournament will be:

• “(Year) PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships”
• “(Year) PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships”
• “(Year) PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships”
• “(Year) PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships”
• “(Year) PDGA United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships”
• “(Year) PDGA Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships”

The official title is to be used in all references to the event, including logos, merchandise, media, and event publications.

3.2 Bid Submission

Proposals shall be emailed to: [email protected].

The deadline for submitting a bid for a 2027 USWDGC & 2028 Major Events event is October 1, 2025. The PDGA intends to award the bids in January 2026.

4. Bid Document Guidelines

4.1 PDGA Championship Event Guiding Principles

A PDGA Major Championship event does not just take place on the course. All aspects of the event must be well-planned and well-executed, down to the most minor details, and course markings. Please use the following principles as your guide when preparing your bid and incorporate them into your planning:

World-Class Competition, World-Class Event Services

When creating your bid, please prioritize competitors' needs and expectations on and off the course over anything else.

• Off course, all services should go smoothly for the competitors, so they don't have to worry about anything except their competition. For example, catering services should serve food for athletes competing at the highest levels while addressing cultural differences, expectations, and other dietary needs and restrictions. Event transportation should be on time and sufficient when courses need shuttles. Hotels should be quiet, clean, and centrally located between all courses.
• On Course, all OB MUST be either paint or string, as well as marked with OB visual markers. White pin flags are acceptable at all non MPO/FPO majors and a standard at the highest level. Host must adhere to our PDGA Competition standards for course marking and colors.
  • PDGA Major Color guidelines:
    • OB - White
    • Hazard - Yellow
    • Relief - Pink
    • Casual - Red
    • Mandatory Restriction lines/Drop Zone - Orange
• All these areas are more detailed in the associated bid packages. Still, putting the athletes first and delivering a world-class event should be incorporated into all plans and decisions. If there are any updates prior to your event’s year, you will have a chance to review and question anything in the specific event agreements that will be sent out after January 2026 if your bid has been awarded.

Professionalism at All Levels

Each planning area should be respectful, well-thought-out, and given careful consideration. This is important to consider when selecting staff and essential volunteers. For each area, choose people who are trained and experienced. Sometimes, it is better to partner with existing companies or agencies that are experts in certain areas to help ensure smooth and successful operations while expanding bandwidth. When planning your tournament, please also remember the message and impression you are giving to others: spectators, sponsors, fans, future fans, city officials, convention bureau management, or any groups that are involved, interested, or in attendance. From player practice rounds to the awards ceremony, please think through all areas and ensure they are planned with dignity, respect, knowledge, and enthusiasm.

Value

Most disc golfers are not fully funded through their sponsors if they have them. Attending an event can be expensive, with airfare, tournament fees, lodging, and meals. PDGA and LOC will work to ensure that they receive quality services and competition throughout their PDGA Major experience, so they see good value for their investment and enjoy their time traveling to your city.

4.2 Bid Application Contents

Please prepare your proposal document according to the following guidelines and those found within each event package, providing detailed information for each item addressed. These are the criteria for which PDGA evaluates and selects championship event hosts.

Incomplete information may delay the timeliness of the PDGA decision-making process or result in a lower grade for your bid. The PDGA Board of Directors intends to distribute tournament sites as equitably as possible on a geographic basis while considering the distribution of PDGA members worldwide. If you cannot respond to any section, please explain why this is impossible.

In a proposal to host a PDGA Major Championship, the PDGA would like to see information on the following:

Proposed Date(s)

Please identify three potential dates for the event, listed in order of preference.

Host Organization

• The name and year of the PDGA Major event(s) you are proposing to host.
• The name of the host club or organization proposing to host the event(s), including its type of formal organization (sole proprietorship, non-profit, LLC, corporation, etc.), its essential history, and its experience running PDGA-sanctioned events.
• The name of the city or cities to host the competition.
• A listing or flow chart of the local organizing committee (LOC), including the name of the tournament director, assistant tournament director, course directors, volunteer coordinator, vendor coordinator, and other vital positions essential for the planning and management of the event. Note: The Tournament Director and Assistant Tournament Director must be PDGA members and certified PDGA officials when the bid is submitted and through the completion of the event. The course directors must be current PDGA members and certified PDGA officials throughout the event - PDGA Major Course Director Roles and Responsibilities.
• Name of the authorized signer of a contract with the PDGA if your bid is selected.
• The committed support of the host community involved with the event, including involvement of the local chamber of commerce, convention, and visitor’s bureau, sports commission, the parks and recreation department, etc., to also include other support proposed by the host community, including financial commitments, volunteer support, course improvements, event marketing, and publicity support. “Important”
• List of other disc golf events your organization has hosted.
• A short paragraph or list of the goals and objectives of the LOC in hosting the event in your community.
• Make an event Google MyMap for everything below. Each hole does not need to be complete upon bid turn-in, but all major locations will need to be identified. (Example Map)

Courses

• A list of the disc golf course(s) to be used in the event, including location, course layouts, length, par, number of holes, type and condition of tees, type and condition of targets, signage, parking, and other assets. All courses will be inspected for suitability, and PDGA will grant final approval. This will include a site visit, if necessary. PDGA Site Visit & Bid Submission Course Info (Template please make a copy, DO NOT EDIT).
• Proposed location(s) of the doubles competition (world championships only).
• The support infrastructure amenities surrounding the courses include buildings, pavilions, parking, restrooms, nearby restaurants, gas, quickie shops, etc.
• A list of previous disc golf events on the proposed courses, including the year.
• Describe park security and plans for security during the event to protect event assets and competitors.
• Security will be needed for all FPO/MPO Events from one hour before the first tee through 30 minutes after the last putt. Please reach out with any further questions.
• For MPO and FPO majors, provide a detailed description of cellular data capabilities within the park (for media purposes in the course info sheet above). For live broadcasts, the PDGA-selected production teams utilize bonded USB modems rather than Wi-Fi when uploading the cell signal. AT&T and Verizon are preferred providers. Cell requirements for live broadcasts are a minimum upload speed of 3-5 Mbps, while 6-8 Mbps is preferred. Download speed is not essential. Your bid will be downgraded heavily if this is not filled out.
• Spectator accommodation, if applicable.

Additional Event Venues

Please identify the venue for each of the following and list all related amenities, including parking, capacity, equipment provided and required, etc.

• Proposed location of player check-in. Typically includes PDGA check-in, host check-in, distribution of player packages, and event-branded merchandise sales.
• Proposed location of the Field Events competitions (world championships only). Field events include long drive, putting. The PDGA has a field events procedures document available for review upon request.
• Proposed location of the opening ceremonies/players meeting. (Must be held indoors.) List related amenities such as pavilion, theater, auditorium, meeting room, P/A equipment, seating, etc.
• Proposed location of the Fly-mart (vendor marketplace).
• Proposed location of any other evening ancillary events such as a player’s party, concert, demonstrations, clinics, or other planned social gatherings.
• Proposed location of the awards ceremony immediately following the finals. List related amenities such as pavilion, theater, auditorium, meeting room, P/A equipment, parking, etc.
• Add to MyMap.

Emergency Action Plan

• Please fill this sheet out for each course: PDGA EAP Template, subject to change.

Host Hotel(s)

The PDGA requests that the LOC, in conjunction with their local CVB or Sports Commission, recommend appropriate hotels in the area based on price, quality, meeting space, and proximity to competition venues. The PDGA can help handle hotel negotiations and contracts with the hotels in coordination with the local tourism agency. Add to MyMap.

Host Community Support

• Letter of support of the event from the local Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sports Commission, tourism department, or similar agency. Instead of a bid fee, the PDGA requests guaranteed financial support for the event commensurate with the number of hotel room nights booked. This support can be in cash, in-kind, services, permitting costs, venue fees, other event-specific fees, or a combination of the above.
• Letter of support from the local government acknowledging support.
• Letter of support from the venue/course owners acknowledging support.
• Course reservation fees comped, if any.
• Local permit fees comped, if any.
• Local advertising.

The PDGA staff is available to help with host community support negotiations. Before signing, all contracts should be sent to the PDGA office for review and approval.

Schedule: Practice, Competition & Ancillary

A proposed schedule of the weekly events is requested. The competition schedule of the singles event is fixed (see the appropriate bid document for event specifics). The schedule for evening ancillary events is somewhat flexible based on venue availability. The PDGA office can provide event schedules for past major events upon request, or your team can search them. Awarding a bid does not mean that the proposed schedule is accepted. The final schedule will be collaborative with the PDGA & the tournament director.

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

The host LOC should provide an essential event organizational structure for running the event. This will include the overall lead tournament director(s), their summary disc golf resumes, and an organizational chart showing the intended support areas to be managed (course TDs, publicity, volunteers, merchandising, financial, sponsorship, field events, doubles, spectators, water, etc.).

Information on volunteer acquisition plans is also requested. This should include details of the local disc golf community, the total number of volunteers planned, and a plan for volunteer coordination. It should also demonstrate a thorough knowledge of typical volunteer assignments for a large PDGA event. The PDGA will be asked during event if approved to be shared on these for transparency. If hosting a PDGA FPO/MPO Major your team will be responsible for recruiting live scores & stats volunteers for all cards.

The local organizing committee awarded the event will be required to sign an event agreement contract with the PDGA, identifying the responsibilities of both the Host LOC and the PDGA. A sample copy of this Event Agreement can be forwarded to proposed host upon request, but is subject to change.

One or more key staff members from the LOC are also strongly encouraged to attend the event they are bidding on the year before their event to closely review and be involved in the event production and learn from and experience how the event is run. These are contributing factors to the successful continuity of a PDGA Major Championships. Please let us know if you were able to do this.

Budget

A proposed comprehensive event budget is requested. During the event, the PDGA will manage registration-related finances. In contrast, the LOC will manage a separate financial budget for the event, including anticipated income streams from sponsorship, merchandise sales, food and beverage, in-kind donations, services, and spectator tickets (if applicable, PDGA will have guidance on this in the Event Agreement). This proposed budget should also outline basic expenses expected, including course improvements, staff support (including any staff pay intended), event supplies, trophies, (PDGA Major Trophy Guidelines), communications, miscellaneous fees, and proposed payout with added cash. A proposed income statement should be included with the expected profit/loss.

Marketing/Publicity

A brief publicity and marketing plan is requested, identifying the following:

• How the event will “connect” with the local community.
• How the event will be publicized and promoted locally and nationally.
• Are there possible or intended ties to local or regional charitable organizations (“legacy” programs)?
• General plans for obtaining sponsorship, including sponsorship levels intended, target sponsors, etc.
• It is suggested that any additional events hosted by the LOC be included.
• Ticketing Plan:
  • The PDGA will be a part of the ticketing launch and pricing guide the prior year.
  • Add in ticketing language to host website.
  • The Host team has the rights to ticket the event with a split of the net revenue.

5. PDGA Sanctioning

The PDGA will grant to the LOC a royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide right to use the attendant PDGA marks, i.e., PROFESSIONAL DISC GOLF ASSOCIATION™, PDGA and PDGA logos (collectively, the “PDGA Marks”), as well as the PDGA copyrighted title “PDGA Major™” in conjunction with the Event. HOST agrees that one or more of the PDGA Marks should appear on all Event promotional materials, including electronic or printed information prepared by HOST in conjunction with the Event. PDGA shall retain the rights to control the nature and quality of the goods and services provided by HOST under PDGA Marks.

6. Media

The PDGA retains all event video, audio, and photographic rights. The use of any sounds or images derived from the event must be authorized with the written consent of the PDGA. The PDGA must preapprove all sponsorship packages, including media. The PDGA media team must discuss and contract all media partnerships. The PDGA shall retain the right to record the event while photographing participants. All event branding and marketing must be coordinated with PDGA. For more information, please see the PDGA Media Agreement document at www.pdga.com/media/policy. Once it becomes available, the current media policy will be provided to the awarded LOC.

7. Sponsorship

PDGA and HOST agree to maintain open communication about sponsorship contracts to avoid developing sponsorship conflicts. PDGA reserves the right to approve or disapprove of any potential event sponsor. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and will be given within seven business days of PDGA's confirmation of such notification.

By agreeing to Host the PDGA Major event, HOST agrees to fully cooperate with all sponsorship and media-related arrangements established by the PDGA. The PDGA reserves the right to have any season long sponsors be visible with either on course or digital advertisements. We will update and collaborate with you on this and let you know how many we have and where they will be on or off the course.

8. Conclusion

In summary, on behalf of the PDGA Staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your interest in hosting a PDGA Major event. We realize that none of these events would be possible without the time and effort put forth by our local organizers, and volunteers. Preparing a bid to host a major international sporting event is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, and the PDGA thanks you for your interest and commitment. We rely on hosts like you and your community to help us bring together the best disc golfers in the World in competition and fellowship. We are committed to growing our sport, and this high-level event will help increase disc golf’s exposure and development worldwide and within your community while allowing new generations of disc golfers to experience fantastic PDGA-sanctioned, Major-level competition. We look forward to reviewing your bid. Thank you, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Phill Diloné
PDGA Director of Competition
Tel: +1-762-271-4485
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pdga.com