To:  ATA Members
From:  Sr. Master Betsy Stevens
Re:  Tournament Updates
 

Hello Everyone,
 
The 2019-2020 season ended mid-March 2020.  With the public health restrictions, scheduled 2020 Districts, TOC, and Worlds were postponed/canceled and has derailed the 2020-2021 season.  The Tournament Department and the Tournament Council have worked hard to monitor and adjust during these times.
 
Two weeks ago, a survey was conducted to collect feedback about awarding 2019-2020 TOC/District titles.  After reviewing and analyzing the data, I am pleased to announce the updates based on a collaboration from the survey results, high ranked seniors, and the councils. 
 
The 2021-2022 season will be a full 16-month season.  This will start January 1, 2021 and end April 30, 2022, which will include the Class C results from July 2020-December 2020.  There will not be any 2020-2021 District or World Titles available since those dates will be used to crown the 2019-2020 titles.  More details about the future season will be announced soon.
 
District and World Titles
For ALL eligible competitors, the 2019-2020 season District Champion competitors will compete at the June 2021 Districts with the following guidelines.

• The qualifying competitors have already been determined, and no further participants will be added.
• Competitors will compete in the division in which they qualified, regardless of their current age and/or rank. 

Example:  A competitor qualified in the 9-10 color belt boys’ division.  He is now 11 and a 1^st degree.  If he competes at the 2021 June Districts, he will still compete as a 9-10 year old color belt and would compete using color belt material.
 
For BLACK BELT competitors, the 2019-2020 season TOC competitors will compete at the July 2021 World Championships with the following guidelines.

• The qualifying competitors, including District winners, have already been determined, and no further participants will be added.
• Competitors will compete in the division in which they qualified, regardless of their current age and/or rank. 

Example:  A competitor qualified in the 1^st degree black belt in the 9-10 girls’ division.  She is now 11 and a 2^nd degree.  If she competes in the TOC at Worlds in July 2021, she will still compete in the 9-10 year 1^st degree division and would compete using 1^st degree material.
 
2021 District/Nationals/Worlds Dates and Locations
Please note we are currently making updates to our website with this new information.
 
Spring Nationals 2021 will be held in Las Vegas, NV at the Venetian Hotel March 30 - April 3, 2021.
 
District Championships 2021 are listed below with the confirmed dates, sites, and venues.  There are 3 sites that have not yet been confirmed.  Those will be posted as soon as possible.  For the purpose of planning, it is important to know that all Districts will we held  in June 2021.

• Mid-America District - June 4-5; Fort Wayne, IN; Fort Wayne Convention Center
• Midwest District - June 4-5; Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Expo Center
• North District - Date/Site to Be Determined       
• Northeast District - June 11-12; Lancaster, PA; Lancaster Convention Center
• Northwest District - Date/Site to Be Determined       
• Rockies District - Date/Site to Be Determined       
• South District - June 18-19; Mesquite, TX; Mesquite Convention Center
• Southeast District - June 18-19; Atlanta, GA; Cobb Galleria
• Southwest District - June 18-19; Glendale, AZ; Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa

 
Worlds Championships 2021 will be held in Phoenix, AZ July 27-August 1. 
 
Fall Nationals 2021 will be held in Little Rock, AR October 20-24.
 

Please note all dates and locations are subject to change.

 
ATA Virtual Tournament League
The Tournament Department is in the process of developing a Virtual Tournament League where students can compete for virtual titles.  This new league is anticipated to begin at the end of September.  Keep checking updates for further information.