Introduction

Disc Golf South Africa (‘DGSA’), the PDGA’s country partner association in South Africa, proposes to host the inaugural “PDGA African Disc Golf Championship” at the Inanda Disc Golf Course in Kyalami, Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 6-8, 2026. 

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This historic event aims to elevate disc golf across Africa and strengthen the continent’s growing community by bringing together the top African players to compete for the title of African Champion - awarded to the highest-finishing African athletes in the MPO and FPO divisions.

The tournament director will be Barend Meulenbeld #109821, who will head up the local organizing committee (LOC).

Divisions

The championship will consist of a singles stroke play event, spread over three days of competition (Friday-Sunday) at the beautiful and challenging Inanda disc golf course in Kyalami, Johannesburg. The event will cater for a maximum capacity of 140 players spread across different divisions of varying skill levels.

Taking into account the generally lower PDGA ratings of African players, the following divisions (with associated ratings criteria) will be offered:

• MPO - 25 spots (PDGA rating of 880 and above)
• MP40 - 10 spots
• FPO - 10 spots (PDGA rating of 750 and above)
• FP40 – 10 spots
• RAE - 25 spots (PDGA rating 800-899)
• RAG - 20 spots (PDGA rating 650-799)
• MA40 - 20 spots
• FA3 - 10 spots
• FA40 - 10 spots

The TD will retain the ability to modify the number of spots offered per division, e.g. if there is a waitlist for a certain division and ample availability in another.

Note that no junior divisions will be offered, as there is planned to be a separate 2026 African juniors championship, will be held later in the year in Uganda.

Tournament Focus and Eligibility

The primary intention of the championships is to attract as many African players as possible to compete in the event and vie for the title of African Champion.

To qualify to be considered an ‘African’, players must be citizens of an African country, whether by birth or naturalization.

In addition to Africans and African permanent residents, the tournament will also be opened to international players during the last tier of registration, in order to fill up any available slots.

International players and permanent residents competing in MPO and FPO divisions will, however, not compete for the ‘African Champion’ titles, but will be recognized as the overall championship winners, should they be the outright winners of their divisions.

Sponsored Players

In recognition of the high cost of travel on the vast African continent, the PDGA will sponsor the travel costs and entry fees of 10 (ten) African competitors, with priority to be given to players from those African countries (outside of the host country) with the most active disc golf communities, as evidenced by the number of PDGA events held in 2025. The selection of the competitors will be left to each country’s national disc golf associations, who will be requested to use player strength and support of local disc golf development as the main criteria for selection.

Based on the above, it is the intention to offer the following number of travel sponsorships (limited to a maximum of $400 per person) to each of the countries named:

• Uganda - 3
• Zambia - 3
• Tanzania - 1
• Kenya - 1

A decision on the remaining two sponsorships will be made at a later date, in consultation with the PDGA East Africa Coordinator.

Sponsored players will be required to cover their own accommodation and food costs. The LOC will assist by sourcing suitable accommodation and negotiating favorable rates, to the extent possible.

Registration

Registration will be done in 2 tiers, starting in July 2026 after the July PDGA ratings update, and finishing in October 2026.

Tier 1 (15 July - 11 August 2026):

During Tier 1, registration will be open exclusively to:

• African players and African permanent residents, with a PDGA rating* of 650 and above (entering MPO/RAE/RAG) or 500 and above (entering FPO/FA3), or entering any age restricted division (MP40/MA40/FA40/FP40)

• Sponsored African players, as nominated by their national associations, of selected African countries with active disc golf communities, who have been awarded reserved spots by the PDGA; and

• LOC/PDGA invitees.

• *Note: for the purposes of registration, a player’s rating will be that as per the July 2026 PDGA ratings update prior to the commencement of Tier 1.

Tier 2 (12 August – 23 October 2026):

During Tier 2, registration will be open to:

• Any international players in any division, until the maximum number of entrants per division, as set by the TD, has been reached; and

• Any players eligible to register under Tier 1 above.

• On the date of registration all participants must be current PDGA members.

Entry Fees

The entry fee for the championship is US$ 40 per player.

Player Pack

Each participant will receive a player pack containing a custom commemorative disc and other goodies.

Prizes and Trophies

Participants in the MPO and FPO divisions will compete for cash prizes. The Pro division payout as a % of net entry fees will be dependent on sponsorships received, but will not be lower than 50%.

The three highest African finishers in the MPO and FPO divisions will receive an additional cash payout. The highest placing African finishers in MPO and FPO will receive the coveted ‘2026 African MPO/FPO Champion’ title, and a bespoke trophy.

Participants in the Amateur divisions will compete for discs and other merchandise prizes.

In all divisions prizes will be awarded to the top 33% of entrants, as a minimum.

Sponsorships

The LOC would welcome sponsorships from the global disc golf community to augment the tournament operational budget, prize purse and player packs.

In particular, financial assistance is sought to assist the sponsored African players with the substantial costs for food and accommodation in the host country during the competition.

Please contact the TD at [email protected] in this regard.