UPBF 2024 - Review

Paul Grobler, September 2, 2024

UPBF 2024 - Review

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.