The Road to the Showdown
Five years after the first official Blood Bowl Sevens season, the community is growing and the time is right for a new challenge: a Dutch Sevens championship.
Coaches earn qualification points at recognized qualifying tournaments across the Netherlands. After one season, the top 8 meet in the Dutch Super Sevens Showdown to play for the title of Dutch Blood Bowl Sevens Champion.
For players
Everything you need to earn your place in the Showdown, from your first qualifier to the final.
How to Qualify
Play at recognized qualifiers between February 2027 and February 2028. The top 8 coaches on the ranking go to the final.
Play in 3 different locations
- You can only qualify if you have played qualifiers in three or more different locations
One result per organizer
- If an organizer runs several qualifiers, only your best result at that organizer counts
Your best 3 count
- Your three best results overall make up your qualification score
- The top 8 on the ranking go to the Showdown
A NAF membership
- Qualifiers are NAF sanctioned, so your results count toward the NAF ranking as well
- The membership does not need to be active
To be announced: how many points each placing earns and where the ranking will be published.
The Showdown
The top 8 qualifiers meet in a knockout final for the title of Dutch Blood Bowl Sevens Champion.
Haven't qualified?
- Alongside the championship there is a separate, regular Sevens tournament that is open to all coaches
A goodie for every participant
- Every participant receives a unique Showdown goodie
The region's turn
- The championship rotates through the four DBBA regions: North, East, West and South
Final date
- The date of the final is announced three months ahead
To be announced: the location and exact date of the 2028 Showdown.
Player FAQ
Quick answers to the usual questions.
Can I come along if I haven't qualified?
Yes. The championship itself is for the top 8, but alongside it there is a separate, regular Sevens tournament open to everyone. Every participant gets a Showdown goodie.
How many qualifiers do I need to play?
At least three, in three different locations. Per organizer only your best score counts, and your three best scores together make up your qualification score. You can play more, but only those three count.
Which version of Blood Bowl is played?
Blood Bowl 2025, with the Sevens rules from Spike! Magazine #22 and the official errata.
Do all qualifiers use exactly the same rules?
They all follow the same ruleset, and the DBBA publishes a Recommended Rulespack. Organizers add their own details and may deviate in places (major deviations need DBBA approval), so read the rulespack of each tournament before you register.
How can I tell if a tournament is part of the series?
Recognized qualifiers are listed on the 2027 calendar and promoted on this website.
Where and when is the Showdown?
March 2028. The location rotates through the four DBBA regions (North, East, West, South) and the date is announced three months ahead. The 2028 location is still to be announced.
Does the series also cover Elevens?
No, the Dutch Super Sevens Showdown is a Sevens championship.
For organizers
Want your tournament on the road to the Showdown? Here is what it takes.
Host a Qualifier
Make your tournament part of the road to the Showdown. You can, provided you meet some minimal requirements, and the DBBA will help you get there.
Why join
More coaches
- Points on the line give coaches a reason to travel to your event
On the national map
- Your tournament is listed and promoted on the DBBA website
Requirements
- Contact the DBBA to join the series
- Announce your date three months ahead
- NAF approval — see How to NAF Approval
- Follow the rules: Blood Bowl 2025, Spike! Magazine #22 and the errata
- A digital rulespack — see what to include or start from the Recommended Rulespack
- Tourplay (or equivalent) for a publicly accessible final score — see How to Tourplay
Where to start
Let the DBBA know you would like to run a qualifier. For everything about setting up the tournament itself — the checklist, rulespack, tiering, Tourplay and NAF approval — use the Tournament Organizer's Guide.
Deviating Rulespacks
Every qualifier publishes its own rulespack. You are free to add your own details, but the bigger the change from the Recommended Rulespack, the more the DBBA wants to know about it.
Minor deviations
- Small changes that do not affect how teams are built or how the core rules work
- For example: your own Weather table or Pitch rules, side events, tiebreakers, time limits and scheduling
- What to do: describe them clearly in your rulespack
Major deviations
- Changes to team building or to the core rules of Blood Bowl 2025 and Sevens
- For example: a different budget or roster size, changes to the tiering, banned or allowed skills, or altered core rules
- What to do: get the DBBA's approval before you announce your qualifier
Not sure which category your change falls into? Ask the DBBA before you announce.
Organizer FAQ
Quick answers for tournament organizers.
How do I get my tournament recognized as a qualifier?
Let the DBBA know you would like to run a qualifier and meet the requirements. The DBBA will help you get there.
Do I have to use the DBBA Recommended Rulespack?
You need a digital rulespack that follows Blood Bowl 2025, Spike! Magazine #22 and the errata. The Recommended Rulespack is a ready-made starting point, and the TO Guide lists what a rulespack should cover.
Is NAF approval mandatory?
Yes, it is one of the requirements. See How to NAF Approval.
How will my tournament be promoted?
It is listed and promoted on the DBBA website. See the TO Guide checklist for other places to advertise.
Can I organize an Elevens qualifier?
No, the Showdown series is Sevens only.
Get in Touch
Questions, or want to run a qualifier? Reach the DBBA through the DBBA Discord, where Sevens and Elevens have separate tournament channels.
To be added: the contact address or Discord invite link.