UPBF Membership Criteria
The United Paintball Federation welcomes national organisations seeking to represent their country in international paintball.
Membership Benefits
International Representation
Register national teams for UPBF World Championships
Global Network
Connect with paintball federations worldwide
Development Support
Access templates, guidance, and mentorship
Recognition Pathway
Support for NOC and government recognition applications
Core Principle
Only one national federation per country may hold UPBF membership (UPBF Statutes, Article 4). This ensures clear international representation, unified national governance, and consistent standards.
Two-Tier Membership Framework
UPBF operates a two-tier membership framework to support federations at different stages of development.
Legal Entity Status
Valid legal entity under your country's laws (registration certificate, adopted statutes, or equivalent documentation)
Written Statutes
Constitution or statutes defining purpose, structure, membership, governance, and amendment procedures
Not-for-Profit
Organisation operates for sport promotion, not private profit
Minimum Existence
At least 12 months of documented operation
National Focus
Primary activities relate to paintball in your country
Why Tier 2 Matters
Strong national federations directly support UPBF's path to AIMS membership and IOC recognition. Every federation meeting Tier 2 standards strengthens paintball's global standing.
Organisation Types We Accept
National Federation
Formally constituted national governing body meeting all Tier 1 standards with national coverage, established structures, and operational history. One per country (UPBF Statutes, Article 4).
Full voting rights
National Association
Recognised sporting association meeting Tier 1 standards with defined membership and regional/national activities. May apply to become a National Federation.
Voting rights if no NF exists
League / Club
Where no federation or association exists, we may accept established leagues or clubs as interim country representatives. Voting rights transfer automatically when a higher-priority organisation is approved for the same country.
Voting rights only if no NF or Association exists
Event Organizer / Media / Brand
Event organisers, media organisations, promotion companies, and brands may register directly with UPBF as associate members regardless of country representation. No voting rights.
No voting rights
Application Process
Contact Us
Email the UPBF General Secretary to express interest, receive guidance, and clarify requirements.
Gather Documents
Prepare required and recommended documents for your application.
Submit Application
Submit complete package to the UPBF General Secretary.
Assessment
UPBF verifies documentation, assesses Tier 1 compliance, and reviews any competing claims.
Decision
Executive Committee may grant provisional membership (up to 2 years, limited rights). Full membership requires Congress approval.
Required Documents
- 1.Official application letter requesting UPBF membership
- 2.Statutes/Constitution (English or certified translation)
- 3.Proof of legal entity status
- 4.List of current executive officers with contact details
- 5.Evidence of paintball activities (competition records, events)
- 6.Membership information (clubs, teams, player numbers)
- 7.Declaration of Commitment (Form MEM-01)
- 8.Strategic plan or development objectives
- 9.Most recent annual report
- 10.Financial statements
- 11.Electoral rules
- 12.Evidence of NOC/government recognition
- 13.Stakeholder register
Governance Documents
All UPBF governance documents are publicly available for transparency and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Join the Global Paintball Community?
Contact us today to start your membership journey. Our team is here to guide you through every step.