Last year, the majority of athletes who qualified for The Midlands did so by competing at just one Trials event. This was simply the nature of the old system and the incentives that were in place for qualification. Under last year’s format:

• The top two finishers at each Trials automatically qualified.

• Competitors could “bank” on a single strong showing instead of building their résumé throughout the season.

That meant someone could dominate one bracket, punch their ticket to The Midlands, and never compete again that season, while another athlete who performed consistently across multiple events could still be left on the outside looking in.

This season, things are changing. Athletes will now accumulate points throughout the season, with the top 2–4 athletes in each division (depending on division size) earning their spot at the 2026 Midlands.

Points will be scored for:

• Each division you participate in

• Every match won

• Each podium finish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd)

Plus, you’ll earn bonus points for every submission victory.

As many of you already know, last year’s Fall Classic wasn’t a qualifying event for the 2025 Midlands.

But this year’s fall event, Fallout, will count toward Midlands qualification. So we decided to take a look back and see how things might’ve played out if the 2024 Fall Classic had been part of the qualifying season.

What did we find? It would’ve had a massive impact on the point standings under this year’s format.

Because the event used a round robin structure, competitors often had more matches and therefore more opportunities to score points than at double elimination events like the Trials.

In many divisions, the point tallies from the Fall Classic outweighed those of the Trials entirely.

This is exactly why Fallout, our new season opener, will play a pivotal role in the new season. With its round robin structure and double points on the line, a strong showing in November could set the tone for your entire season.

Under the new system, it won’t be enough to show up once and hope for lightning to strike.

The athletes who ultimately qualify for The 2026 Midlands will be those who consistently tested themselves throughout the year, collected points, and earned their spot across multiple events and formats.

If the ‘what-if’ standings from last season taught us anything, it’s that the athletes who stay active will find the most long-term success. This was particularly evident in the beginner and intermediate levels, where steady, consistent performances often outpointed the Trials champions who only showed up once.

The new format simply reflects that reality. Consistency and volume now matter more than just a single dominant day.

The road to the 2026 Midlands will be long and grueling. Only the relentless will survive and earn the right to take the stage on September 12th, 2025.

The season kicks off at Fallout on November 8th, where round robin brackets, double points, and the new qualification format will set the tone for everything to come. This is where momentum begins.

Don’t sit back and watch the season pass you by. Show up early. Stay active. Build your case. We’ll see you on the mats!