Event Sanctioning

As the National Governing Body (NGB) for sport of field hockey in the United States, USA Field Hockey sanctions field hockey events and related activities which are conducted in accordance with USA Field Hockey’s Sanctioned Event Policies and Procedures, including but not limited to its standard rules and regulations, safety requirements, SafeSport requirements, membership requirements, participant waiver requirements, and other relevant standards as outlined below.  

As part of sanctioning (and subject to compliance with USA Field Hockey’s requirements), USA Field Hockey provides its member clubs, event organizers and other related parties with various benefits, including event insurance (General Liability and Participant Accident insurance), use of USA Field Hockey’s logo, event promotion, and other benefits.  

For more information, please review the Benefits and Requirements sections below to learn more about the sanctioning process.

  • Benefits

    USA Field Hockey works with Sanctioned Events to provide them with resources and standards to ensure a first in class event is delivered.

    Event Organizers receive many benefits including:

    • Liability and participant accident insurance to cover venues utilized and participants at a competitive rate
    • Promotion of the event through USA Field Hockey’s website and social media channels
    • Distinction of being sanctioned by a National Governing Body and the rights to utilizing the USA Field Hockey Sanctioned Event logo
    • Connections to USA Field Hockey staff members who can consult on event planning, sponsorship, and umpire recruitment

    For more details on benefits of sanctioning, you access the Sanctioned Event Benefit document by clicking here. 

  • Requirements

    USA Field Hockey takes keeping athletes safe very seriously, and this applies to sanctioned events too. To receive the benefits of sanctioning an event with USA Field Hockey, you must follow a series of requirements that ensure compliance with USA Field Hockey’s insurance policies and the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s policies. These requirements ensure that you can receive insurance and protect athletes from misconduct during your event.

    These requirements include, but are not limited to:

    • Provide information regarding USA Field Hockey's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies and reporting requirement prior to the start of competition by email or in person
    • Check the participants - athletes, coaches, umpire, etc. - against USA Field Hockey's Banned List
    • Pay the applicable event sanctioning fee
    • Ensure all participants are members of USA Field Hockey
    • Complete the Post-Event reporting and submit to USA Field Hockey

    To read the complete USA Field Hockey Sanctioning Policy, please click here.

  • How to Apply

    Please fill out the Event Sanctioning Application

    Once you have completed the Event Sanctioning Application, a member of the USA Field Hockey staff will reach out to you with next steps.

    Following the event, you must complete the Post-Event reporting form within 15 days of the conclusion of the event.

    If you have any questions about sanctioning an event with USA Field Hockey, please contact membership@usafieldhockey.com.