British Championships move to an invitation-only qualification system

British Judo announced an invitation-only entry system for the Senior and Junior British Championships from 2026. The change follows the previous season’s event and is intended to concentrate the domestic championship field around athletes who have performed consistently in the national rankings.

Senior invitations will normally go to the leading sixteen athletes in each weight category on the British Ranking List. Junior invitations will be issued to the leading twenty, with a limited number of discretionary wildcard places available in both competitions.

The federation said further details about the qualification period, invitation process and wildcard criteria would follow. The February announcement therefore established the main eligibility framework while leaving the detailed regulations unresolved, giving competitors notice that ranking performance would determine most opportunities to enter the championships.