United Kingdom Championships
Entries close in 25 days, 00 hrs, 00 min
Join GKR Karate competitors from across the United Kingdom for a great day of competition at the 2026 United Kingdom Championships.
This page is the central location for event information, including arrival times, directions, competitor requirements, the National Champs tee and the detailed event timetable once available. Please bookmark this page and check it again before travelling.
Competitors pay per event entered, with reduced entry fees for second and subsequent events. Competitor entries and spectator tickets are both bought online.
Paid online at entry. All fees are strictly non-refundable, including if a competitor withdraws or cannot make the day.
Enter a competitorA family ticket covers two adults and two children. Children under five are free.
Buy spectator ticketsCompetitors can compete in kata and/or kumite in their grade and age divisions, and white and yellow belts have their own kihon and kick shield sumo events. Events and divisions entered will be confirmed by email at time of entry.
Open to every grade, in divisions from up to 6th kyu through 5th–4th kyu, 3rd kyu and up (up to 15 years), 3rd to 1st kyu (16 years and over), black belt and the junior and senior open divisions.
Age divisions run from 5–7 years through to 65+. The youngest division (5–7 years) competes male and female combined; from 8–9 years up, divisions are male or female.
For 10th to 8th kyu competitors only — the option for the newest grades to compete without entering kata or kumite.
By selection only, at £15.
Team kata and team kumite (teams of three) must be pre-registered, in divisions across junior and senior age groups. Team events are £45 per team.
All kata divisions, including team kata, are judged on the flag system. The requirements for each division:
First round: White or Yellow Belt Kihon.
Second round onwards: the White or Yellow Belt Kihon can be performed.
First round: Taigyoku Shodan or Nidan.
Second round onwards: either Taigyoku Shodan, Nidan, Saifa or Bassai Dai.
Competitors may repeat any kata previously performed as they progress through each round.
First round: Saifa.
Second round onwards: either Saifa, Bassai Dai, Seuinchin or Empi.
Competitors may repeat any kata previously performed as they progress through each round.
First round: Bassai Dai.
Second round onwards: any kata in the GKR syllabus from Saifa up to and including Kanku Dai / Kururunfa.
Competitors may repeat any kata previously performed as they progress through each round.
First round: either Saifa, Bassai Dai, Seuinchin or Empi.
Second round onwards: any kata in the GKR syllabus. Competitors must perform a different kata in each subsequent round.
Competitors who reach the finals rounds may repeat a kata they’ve already performed.
None of the individual-division conditions apply to team kata. Any kata may be performed in all team kata divisions and may be repeated each subsequent round.
The 2026 United Kingdom Championships Official Tee will be available to purchase on the day!
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre is on Sheaf Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BP.
Please allow extra time on the morning, as city-centre parking and the surrounding streets will be busy with competitors arriving from across the country.
Ponds Forge is in Sheffield city centre, a short walk from Sheffield railway station. Use Traveline to confirm the best route and current departure times for the day.
Check-in opens well before the first event. Please allow additional time to park, enter the venue and complete check-in before the bow in.
All competitors report to the desk.
Formal bow in for all competitors and officials.
Divisions run through the day across the mats.
The detailed running order will be posted on this page approximately one week before the championships.
For all kumite events. No gear, no mat. The officials check it at the edge, and there is nothing anyone can do about it at that point. Pack it the night before.
White shin guards will not be permitted unless the competitor is under the age of 10. Everyone else needs IGKF/WKF approved shin protectors and gloves in red or blue.
Please take a moment to read these important entry details so you’re ready for tournament day.
Please enter online by Monday 16 November 2026. All entries must be made using the entry link on this page.
To help us prepare the draws and organise a smooth tournament, registrations close ahead of the event. We’re unable to accept entries on tournament day, so please submit yours before the closing date.
We understand that circumstances can change. Please keep in mind that entry fees are non-refundable, including if a competitor becomes unwell, needs to withdraw or is unable to attend.
Competitors should arrive with everything below. The compulsory kumite equipment is spelled out in full above. This is the rest of the bag.
Competitors should bring sufficient water and any food they may require for the day.
Please clearly label personal equipment, drink bottles and bags with the competitor’s name.
Kata and kumite, juniors through to seniors, all day with the hall packed around the mats — and this time, the best from across the United Kingdom. Whether your student is chasing a national title or just wants the experience, this is the room they walk into.
Photographs from a previous GKR championships.
Competitor check-in is at 7.45am, ahead of the bow in at 8.30am. Please allow extra time for parking and entry into the venue.
The bow in is at 8.30am and events begin at 8.45am.
No. All entries must be completed online by Monday 16 November 2026. No entries will be accepted on the day.
Kihon and kick shield sumo are open to 10th to 8th kyu competitors only. All grades can enter kata and kumite.
Team kata and team kumite (teams of three) must be pre-registered, at £45 per team. Black belt continuous kumite is by selection only, at £15.
No. All fees are strictly non-refundable.
Yes. Adult, child and family spectator tickets are available online. Children under five receive free entry.
Yes. All kumite competitors must have the required mouthguard, approved gloves, shin protectors and applicable groin or chest guards.
White shin guards are only permitted for competitors under 10 years of age.
The 2026 United Kingdom Championships official tee will be available to purchase on the day. There is no pre-order.
Ponds Forge, Sheffield. Check in 7.45am, bow in 8.30am, events from 8.45am. Entries close 16 November, online only.
