Tbilisi Open 2026
- 24 – 26 April 2026
- Tbilisi · Saburtalo Sports Arena
- Organizer: SMASH Georgia
Regulations
Current version 1.2, published 15 April 2026
Key points
Format of playv1.0, updated 17 Jan
Tbilisi Open 2026 is played on 24 – 26 April 2026 at Saburtalo Sports Arena. Events are knockout draws; events with 12 or more junior entries start with round-robin groups whose top two advance, and events of eight or fewer entries may be played as a single round-robin.
Scoringv1.0, updated 17 Jan
Every match is the best of three games to 21 points, rally scoring. At 20-all the side that first leads by two points wins the game; at 29-all the side scoring the 30th point wins.
Shuttlesv1.1, updated 4 Mar
Feather shuttles are provided by the organizer from the quarter-finals; before that each side brings two approved feather shuttles.
Start times and order of playv1.1, updated 4 Mar
Play starts at 09:30 each day; the hall opens at 08:30. The order of play is published two days before the tournament.
Dress codev1.0, updated 17 Jan
Players wear sports clothing and non-marking indoor shoes. Doubles partners should wear shirts of a similar colour. Advertising on clothing follows the usual size limits.
Late arrivalv1.0, updated 17 Jan
A player who is not on court 5 minutes after their match is called may be disqualified from the match by the referee, and the opponent is awarded a walkover.
Late entry
Late entries are accepted until 12 Apr, 23:59 with a surcharge of 13 GEL.
Tbilisi time (GMT+4)
Full regulations
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1.Format of play
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Tbilisi Open 2026 is played on 24 – 26 April 2026 at Saburtalo Sports Arena. Events are knockout draws; events with 12 or more junior entries start with round-robin groups whose top two advance, and events of eight or fewer entries may be played as a single round-robin.
A player may enter at most 3 events. Events with fewer than four entries are cancelled or merged, and the fee is refunded in full.
2.Scoring
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Every match is the best of three games to 21 points, rally scoring. At 20-all the side that first leads by two points wins the game; at 29-all the side scoring the 30th point wins.
There is a 60-second interval when the leading side reaches 11 points and a two-minute interval between games.
3.Shuttles
v1.1, updated 4 Mar
Feather shuttles are provided by the organizer from the quarter-finals; before that each side brings two approved feather shuttles.
The referee tests shuttle speed in the hall before play each day. Players may not change the shuttle without the umpire's agreement.
4.Start times and order of play
v1.1, updated 4 Mar
Play starts at 09:30 each day; the hall opens at 08:30. The order of play is published two days before the tournament.
Times marked "not before" are the earliest a match can be called. Matches may be called up to 30 minutes early if courts are free.
5.Dress code
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Players wear sports clothing and non-marking indoor shoes. Doubles partners should wear shirts of a similar colour. Advertising on clothing follows the usual size limits.
6.Late arrival
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
A player who is not on court 5 minutes after their match is called may be disqualified from the match by the referee, and the opponent is awarded a walkover.
7.Withdrawals and refunds
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Withdraw by 15 April 2026 at 23:59 for a full refund, less a 5 GEL administration fee. Until 17 April 2026 at 17:00 you receive 50%. After that no refund is made, except 80% on a medical certificate sent by 3 May 2026.
The federation levy is never refunded. If the tournament is cancelled by the organizer, every fee is refunded in full.
8.Seeding
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Seeds are taken from the ranking list of the event's discipline and age group published on 13 April 2026. Grade-split events are seeded from the Open list. Seeds are placed in fixed positions; everyone else is drawn by lot.
9.Referee
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
The referee of Tbilisi Open 2026 is Levan Okropiridze. The referee's decisions on the laws of badminton and these regulations are final on the day.
10.Conduct
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
The code of conduct applies to players, coaches, parents and spectators. Coaching is allowed between rallies from the coach's chair only. Misconduct can lead to a warning, a fault, or disqualification.
11.Safeguarding of juniors
v1.0, updated 17 Jan
Every player under 18 needs a named parent or guardian contact. Birth dates and contact details of minors are never published, and players under 13 are not listed publicly. The safeguarding contact at the tournament is Maia Kurtanidze, +995 555 00 00 05.
12.Protests and appeals
v1.2, updated 15 Apr
A protest is lodged in writing with the referee within 30 minutes of the end of the match concerned, with a 20 GEL deposit returned if the protest is upheld. Decisions on facts of play by an umpire cannot be appealed.
Version history
Version 1.2Current
- Protest deposit and time limit stated explicitly.
Version 1.1superseded 15 Apr
- Daily start time and hall opening time confirmed.
- Shuttle speed for the hall confirmed after the test day.
Version 1.0superseded 4 Mar
First publication.
Accepted version
Every entry records the regulations version in force at the moment it was submitted.
- 80 entries accepted version 1.1
- 79 entries accepted version 1.0
Chief referee
Levan Okropiridze
Chief referee
Hours: At the referee's desk from one hour before play