Dutch Open 2026 Rules

The Dutch Open Blood Bowl 2026 follows a Swiss format over two days of play. The rules below describe how teams are built, how rounds are scored, and how the event will be run.

We will be using the 2025 Blood Bowl Rules. Any F.A.Q. and Errata documents published before the 7th of February will be in effect.

This is a tournament following the matched play rules (page 110-111), no SPP are gained, and hatred, injuries, casualties or deaths do not carry on from one game to the next (formerly known as a resurrection style tournament). Players added to a Team roster mid game as a result of the Masters of Undeath or Plague Ridden special rule are removed from the roster at the end of the game and do not carry on to the next game. (Rules on page 112-113 are partially replaced by below.)

Our main goal is to ensure all coaches can focus on having fun, rolling dice, and enjoying great games in good spirit!

Teambuilding

Budget

To create your team you have 1.100.000 gold pieces budget.

The money can be spent on:

teamplayers
Re-rolls
Only 1 Star player allowed for stunty teams (Ogres, Halflings, Snotlings, Goblins, Gnomes) after purchase of 11 players. No Star players are allowed for other teams.
0-3 Assistant coaches 20k
0-3 Cheerleaders 5k
0-1 Apothecary 50k for teams that are allowed an apothecary
0-1 Wandering Apothecary 100k for teams that are allowed an apothecary
0-6 dedicated fans 5k
0-1 mortuary assistant or plague doctor (if allowed by the team rules) 100k
0-1 riotous rookies 150k (for teams with lone cost lineman)
0-1 weather mage 25k
0-3 Bribes 100k (50k for teams with “Bribery and Corruption”)
0-1 Halfling Master Chef 300k (100k for halflings)
0-2 best Kegs 50k

This means no prayers to Nuffle, wizards, team mascots and infamous coaching staff are allowed.

Megastars and AG 1+ strars are not allowed. This currently excludes listed megastars are Griff Oberwald, Hakflem Skuttlespike, H’Thark The Unstoppable, Ivan Deathshroud and Morg ‘n Thorg, and AG 1+ stars Jordell Freshbreeze, Roxanna Darknail and Jeremiah Kool.

Tiers

There are no tiers applicable. All teams receive 15 skill points.

After creation of your team, you can use these skill points in the following manner:

Spend 2 skill points to purchase a primary non-elite skill
Spend 3 skill points to purchase a primary elite skill.
Spend 4 skill points for a secondary skill
Spend 5 skill points for a secondary elite skill
You are allowed to stack skills on a player only once. An extra surcharge of 2 skill points is charged on top of the skill points for the max two skills.

Note: Elite skills are marked with a gem icon as indicated in the rulebook on p. 120 and currently includes the Block, Dodge, Mighty Blow and Guard skills.

Disclaimer

Community insights, Games Workshop publications and NAF publications might prompt us to adjust the rules. This may include changes to the team building rules, clarifications on the rulebook or even house rules if needed. At the start of the tournament we will address these and we will make sure to have any changes like these clearly on the website in time for the event.

Tournament Format & Scoring

The Dutch Open Blood Bowl 2026 will be played over six rounds using the Swiss system — three rounds on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Pairing

Round 1: Random draw — we’ll make sure you won’t face your league-friends in the first round.
Rounds 2–6: Swiss pairing, randomised between coaches with the same number of points. Fine details might change due to software posibilities. This will be finalized before the tournament.
Pairings will be made available 15 minutes before the round starts. Feel free to start when you know your opponent.

Timekeeping

Both coaches share responsibility for finishing their match within the set time limit (2 hours and 15 minutes per game).
Using a gameclock is highly encouraged. Chess clocks are available at the venue.
When the round ends (and the Hurry Up Song stops playing) NO MORE DICE MAY BE ROLLED AND NO MORE MINI'S MAY BE MOVED.
If your game isn’t complete, you and your opponent must agree on the final result — or the organisation will make that call.

We will be strict on time management to keep the tournament running smoothly. If you're using a game clock, the alloted game time is still leading. A game clock is a tool, not a rule.

Scoring

A win will get you 2 points, a draw is worth 1 point and a loss zero, nilch and nothing. A concession will be recorded as a 2-0 2-0 loss with -4 tournament points. A coach that conceded ie ineligable for any award.

Tiebreakers will be applied at the end ranking and won't have affect pairings. The tiebreakers are:

Opponent score (Buchholz -1 if software allows)
Net TD + Net Cas
Head to Head
Best of five dice off
If all else fails we can resort to good old bribery.

The Dutch Open is built on friendly competition, clear communication, and mutual respect.

We expect all coaches to show good sportsmanship and help make every match enjoyable for both players.

Dice & Rolling

Use dice that can be easily read from a distance.
Your opponent must always be allowed to roll using your dice if they wish.
Before starting the game, agree on what counts as a cocked die.
Probability calculators, odds apps, or digital aids that compute chances are not allowed during matches.

Marking Players & Keeping the Game State Clear

Before starting the game, discuss with your opponent how you will mark players who are Prone, Stunned, Activated, Distracted, or affected by other conditions.
The key point is simple: The state of the game must always be clear to both coaches.
You can use tokens, rubber bands, turning players around, or laying models down — whatever works best for both of you.
If you cannot agree, use the following defaults:
- Activated players: turned around
- Prone players: laid down face up
- Stunned players: laid down face down
- Other conditions (e.g. Distracted, Eye Gouged, Chomped, Take Root, Dodgy Snack, Thrown Player, or Bombs): use tokens or rubber bands colour coded as in the rulebook.
Finally, before you begin, agree on how you handle taking back moves.
Again, the goal is that the game state stays clear and correct at all times.

Models & Clarity

Proxies are not allowed.
- If it looks like a goblin, it should be a goblin.
- Positionals must be easily recognisable, ideally with colour-coded base rings.
- If you’re unsure whether your team fits the standard, contact us beforehand.
If you field a non-painted team, your opponent gains 3 free Prayer to Nuffles for that game. This rule is not optional.

Behaviour & Disputes

If your team uses rules covered in something else than the main rulebook (Spike magazines and Errata's come to mind) make sure you have those physically on hand.
Keep it friendly — Blood Bowl is about dice and fun. Keep the drama on the pitch.
Any dispute that can’t be resolved between coaches should be referred to a referee or organiser.
The referee’s decision is final, and always made in the spirit of fair play and maintaining the event’s pace.
Unsporting behaviour may lead to penalties or disqualification.

Fair Play & Sportmanship

The Glittering Prizes

The following prizes will be awarded at the end of the event:

Dutch Open Winner
Dutch Champion - Highest placed Dutch coach
Runner-up
Best Painted Team
Best rookie (coaches with 5 or less NAF tournaments to their name)
Best stunty (if three or more stunty coaches apply)
Most Touchdowns
Most Casualties
Wooden Speen

(Prize categories may be adjusted depending on turnout.)

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