This post describes the paths to qualify for the 2023 International Axe Throwing Championship. 

For a more detailed discussion of how these paths have evolved over the past few years please refer to the Rules & Guidelines section 6.4 under “The Road to the IATC” titled “Qualification Paths Discussion”.

The Championship

The International Axe Throwing Championship (IATC) is an annual tournament that brings together great players from around the globe to compete for the Wilson Cup.

The tournament is divided into two Rounds. Round 1 is played at many host venues internationally. The results of Round 1 determine which competitors advance to Round 2 and determine their seeding in Round 2. The format of Round 2 is a seeded double elimination bracket, hosted in Toronto, which takes place over two days in June.

Competing in the IATC

To compete in the IATC, competitors must qualify during the Qualification Period prior to the IATC. The qualification period for IATC 2023 is March 12, 2022 to March 10, 2023.

There are two primary ways to qualify: winning selected tournaments and league performance.

Qualification via Tournaments

The previous year’s IATC Champion qualifies for the next IATC. In addition, they are guaranteed to advance to Round 2, with their seeding determined by their Round 1 results.

Each of the nine IATF Regions hosts a Regional Tournament in January. The winners of these tournaments qualify for the IATC. In addition, they are guaranteed to advance to Round 2, with their seeding determined by their Round 1 results.

Competitors who qualify via tournaments are removed from consideration for qualification via league performance.

Qualification via League Performance

IATF member organizations host qualifying league seasons (see below) throughout the Qualification Period. Any number of competitors may qualify for IATC by participating in an IATF member organization’s leagues. However, each member organization will advance a limited number of competitors to Round 2. Each member organization will have the opportunity to advance at least one competitor. Additional advancing competitors are determined by the organization’s total league participation as a percentage of the total IATF league participation.

In order to qualify, competitors must participate in at least three league seasons at one IATF member organization within the Qualification Period. These league seasons can be Standard rules or Premier rules seasons.

A competitor who finishes in the Top 8, by Champs Points (see below), in a Premier rules season qualifies for IATC. Once a competitor meets this qualification criteria, they are removed from consideration for any other league performance qualification.

A competitor who achieves an average of 70 or better in three non-concurrent seasons, Standard rules or Premier rules, hosted by one organization, qualifies for IATC. Once a competitor meets this qualification criteria, they are removed from consideration for Standard rules league performance qualification.

A competitor who finishes in the Top 4, by Champs Points (see below), in a Standard rules season qualifies for IATC.

All qualifiers via league performance compete in Round 1. The results of Round 1 determine which competitors advance to Round 2 and determine their seeding in Round 2.

What is considered a qualifying league season?

Players are considered for IATC qualification if the league seasons in which they participate meet all the following criteria:

1. The season is hosted by an IATF member organization in good standing
2. The season is not designated as Recreational
3. The season is played using either IATF Standard or IATF Premier rulesets
4. The round robin consists of matches where each player competes in 28 matches
5. The season concludes with a double elimination playoff tournament

What are Champs Points?

Champions Points (Champs Points) are awarded to players at the end of every Standard and Premier qualifying league season, based on where they place at the end of round robin play (see the table below) and additional Champs Points are awarded based on playoff performance (see the table below).

For a Qualification Path Flowchart click the button below:

Still have questions? Email us at info@iatf.com.