The 2024 UPBF World Championships took place in Dreux, France from August 28-29, 2024. The event consisted of five categories: Men's, Veteran's, U19, U16 and Women's, all following a "Race to 4" format with 62 teams from 19 countries.
Tournament Results by Division:
Men's Division:
16 teams, 155 players
Gold: USA
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Belgium
4th: Germany
Women's Division:
8 teams, 68 players
Gold: USA
Silver: France
Bronze: Great Britain
4th: Norway
U19 Division:
12 teams, 95 players
Gold: USA
Silver: Poland
Bronze: Brazil
4th: Sweden
U16 Division:
10 teams, 55 players
Gold: USA
Silver: Italy
Bronze: France
4th: Great Britain
Veterans Division:
16 teams
Gold: USA
Silver: France
Bronze: Germany
4th: Belgium
Notable Achievements and Trends:
Team USA achieved an unprecedented sweep, winning gold medals across all five divisions
France showed remarkable consistency with medals in multiple categories (Silver in Women's and Veterans, Bronze in U16)
Great Britain maintained strong performances across categories with multiple podium finishes
The tournament demonstrated strong international participation with representation from North America, Europe, South America, and Asia
European nations showed particular depth in the Veterans category
Tournament Operations:
Consistent "Race to 4" format maintained across all divisions
11 referees officiated across all divisions
Well-documented registration and competition processes
Varying roster sizes based on division requirements (e.g., 7 players for U16 teams vs 12 players for other divisions)
The 2024 championships showcased the global reach of paintball across different age groups and skill levels, with strong participation numbers across all categories totaling over 350 players from various nations. The event successfully balanced competitive play for youth development (U16, U19) while also maintaining opportunities for veterans and established professionals.
