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.

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

The Dutch Open Blood Bowl 2026 is a resurrection tournament, which means injuries and fatalities do not carry over from one game to the next.

Players added mid-game through special rules such as Masters of Undeath or Plague Ridden are removed at the end of the match and do not remain on the roster.

Teambuilding

Rulepack incoming ASAP

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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