REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Strong Spirits Games 2026
Event location: Semmering, Austria
Official event dates: 24–27 September 2026
Competition days: 25–26 September 2026

This Refund and Cancellation Policy applies to all athletes registering for Strong Spirits Games 2026.

By submitting the registration form and paying the entry fee, the athlete confirms that they have read, understood and accepted this policy.

1. Confirmation of registration

Submitting the registration form does not automatically confirm participation.

An athlete’s place is confirmed only after:

  1. The registration form has been completed and submitted;
  2. The full entry fee has been received;
  3. The payment has been verified by the Organizing Committee;
  4. The athlete has received an official registration confirmation by email or WhatsApp.

The entry fee depends on the selected competition division and category.

2. Cancellation by the athlete

An athlete may cancel their registration by submitting a written cancellation request.

The following refund conditions apply:

Cancellation received on or before 15 August 2026

The athlete will receive a refund of 80% of the entry fee.

A total of 20% will be retained to cover administrative, payment-processing and event preparation costs.

Cancellation received from 16 August to 31 August 2026

The athlete will receive a refund of 50% of the entry fee.

Cancellation received on or after 1 September 2026

The entry fee is non-refundable.

At this stage, athlete accreditation, event production, equipment, clothing, staff, venue and other organizational expenses may already have been confirmed or paid.

The cancellation date is the date on which the Organizing Committee receives the athlete’s written request.

3. How to request a cancellation

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by email:

strongspiritsgames@gmail.com

The request must include:

  • Athlete’s full name;
  • Country;
  • Competition division;
  • Weight category;
  • Email address used during registration;
  • Payment date;
  • Payment confirmation or transaction number;
  • Reason for cancellation;
  • Preferred refund method.

The Organizing Committee may request additional information to verify the athlete’s identity and payment.

Cancellation requests sent only through social media comments or unofficial accounts will not be accepted.

4. Refund processing

The Organizing Committee will confirm receipt of the cancellation request within five business days.

Approved refunds will normally be processed within 14 calendar days after the cancellation request and payment information have been verified.

Refunds will be issued, where possible, through the same payment method used for the original payment.

The Organizing Committee is not responsible for:

  • Bank fees;
  • PayPal fees charged directly to the athlete;
  • Currency conversion differences;
  • Exchange-rate changes;
  • Fees charged by the athlete’s bank or payment provider.

The refunded amount cannot exceed the amount actually received by the Organizing Committee.

5. Registration transfer to another athlete

An athlete who is unable to participate may request to transfer their registration to another eligible athlete.

A registration transfer is permitted under the following conditions:

  1. The transfer request must be received no later than 10 September 2026;
  2. The replacement athlete must meet all eligibility requirements;
  3. The replacement athlete must submit a new registration form;
  4. The replacement athlete must provide all required documents;
  5. The replacement athlete must be approved by the Organizing Committee;
  6. The requested division and category must still be available.

A registration may be transferred only once.

An administrative transfer fee of €15 may apply.

If the new athlete’s entry fee is higher, the difference must be paid before the transfer is confirmed.

If the new athlete’s entry fee is lower, the difference will not be refunded.

A transferred registration cannot subsequently be refunded.

Registrations may not be sold, auctioned or transferred privately without written approval from the Organizing Committee.

6. Change of division or weight category

A change of division or weight category is not considered a cancellation.

Athletes must notify the Organizing Committee as soon as possible if they need to change their registered category.

Category changes are subject to:

  • The official competition regulations;
  • Athlete eligibility;
  • Available places;
  • Approval by the Organizing Committee;
  • Payment of any difference in the entry fee.

The Organizing Committee may reassign an athlete to the correct weight category following the official weigh-in.

Failure to meet the registered weight category does not automatically entitle the athlete to a refund.

7. Injury or medical condition

If an athlete is unable to participate because of a serious injury or medical condition, they must notify the Organizing Committee immediately.

The athlete must provide an official medical certificate that:

  • Identifies the athlete;
  • Confirms that the athlete is medically unable to participate;
  • Is signed and dated by a licensed medical professional;
  • Is issued before the start of the event.

For medical cancellation requests received no later than 10 September 2026, the athlete may choose one of the following options:

  • A refund of 50% of the entry fee; or
  • Transfer of the paid entry fee as credit toward the next Strong Spirits Games event organized by the same organizer.

Medical cancellation requests received after 10 September 2026 are normally non-refundable.

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to verify medical documentation where there are reasonable grounds to question its authenticity.

8. Visa refusal

An official invitation issued by the Organizing Committee does not guarantee that a visa will be approved.

If an athlete’s visa application is refused, the athlete may request a refund under the following conditions:

  1. The visa application was submitted within a reasonable period after receiving the official invitation;
  2. The athlete provides an official written visa refusal issued by the relevant embassy, consulate or visa authority;
  3. The refund request is received no later than 10 September 2026.

Where these conditions are met, the athlete will receive a refund of 70% of the entry fee.

Visa service fees, embassy fees, travel expenses, accommodation expenses and insurance costs are not reimbursed by the Organizing Committee.

A visa refusal caused by incomplete, false, inaccurate or late documentation submitted by the athlete may not qualify for a refund.

9. Failure to attend

No refund will be provided if the athlete:

  • Does not attend the event;
  • Arrives after accreditation or weigh-in has closed;
  • Misses their flight, train or transfer;
  • Does not obtain the required travel documents;
  • Does not obtain a visa in time;
  • Fails to provide the required medical or eligibility documents;
  • Decides not to compete after arriving at the event;
  • Withdraws during the competition;
  • Is removed or disqualified for violating the competition rules;
  • Provides false or misleading registration information.

Travel disruptions and personal circumstances remain the athlete’s responsibility unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Athletes are strongly advised to obtain appropriate travel, medical and cancellation insurance.

10. Disqualification

An athlete who is disqualified because of:

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct;
  • Threatening or abusive behavior;
  • Fraudulent documents;
  • False registration information;
  • Violation of competition rules;
  • Violation of anti-doping requirements;
  • Conduct that threatens the safety of participants, officials or spectators;

will not be entitled to a refund.

This provision does not limit any mandatory rights available under applicable law.

11. Cancellation of the event by the organizer

If Strong Spirits Games 2026 is completely cancelled by the organizer and no replacement date is offered, registered athletes will be entitled to a refund of 100% of the entry fee received by the organizer.

Refunds will be processed within 30 calendar days after the official cancellation announcement, unless a different period is required by applicable law.

The organizer is not responsible for refunding expenses paid to third parties, including:

  • Flights;
  • Train or bus tickets;
  • Accommodation;
  • Visa fees;
  • Insurance;
  • Meals;
  • Equipment;
  • Personal transportation;
  • Other travel-related costs.

Athletes are responsible for reviewing the cancellation conditions of their travel and accommodation providers.

12. Postponement of the event

If the event is postponed, the athlete’s registration will automatically remain valid for the new event date.

An athlete who cannot attend the new date may choose:

  • To transfer the registration to the rescheduled event;
  • To transfer the registration to another eligible athlete;
  • To request a refund of 100% of the entry fee paid to the organizer.

A refund request following postponement must be submitted within 14 calendar days after the new date has been officially announced.

If the athlete does not submit a request within this period, the registration will remain valid for the rescheduled event.

13. Change of venue or schedule

The organizer may make reasonable changes to:

  • The competition timetable;
  • Accreditation times;
  • Weigh-in times;
  • Competition disciplines;
  • Running order;
  • Venue areas;
  • Technical procedures;
  • Athlete briefing times.

Minor schedule or program changes do not automatically entitle an athlete to a refund.

If the event is moved to another country, moved by more than 48 hours, or changed in a way that materially affects the athlete’s ability to participate, the athlete may request:

  • Transfer to the new arrangements; or
  • A full refund of the entry fee.

The request must be submitted within 14 calendar days after the material change has been announced.

14. Force majeure

Force majeure means an extraordinary event outside the reasonable control of the organizer, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters;
  • Floods, fires or severe weather;
  • War, military action or terrorism;
  • Government restrictions;
  • Border closures;
  • Epidemics or public health emergencies;
  • Strikes affecting essential services;
  • Venue closure;
  • Major transport disruption;
  • Power, infrastructure or security emergencies.

If the event is affected by force majeure, the organizer will inform registered athletes as soon as reasonably possible.

Depending on the circumstances, the organizer may:

  • Continue the event with reasonable changes;
  • Move the event to another venue;
  • Postpone the event;
  • Offer registration credit;
  • Cancel the event and provide refunds in accordance with applicable law and this policy.

The organizer will not be responsible for third-party travel, accommodation, visa or insurance expenses.

15. Merchandise and personalized items

If the entry fee includes personalized products that have already been ordered or produced, such as:

  • Athlete clothing;
  • Personalized accreditation;
  • Printed materials;
  • Customized equipment;
  • Athlete packages;

the documented cost of such products may be deducted from a voluntary refund, where permitted by applicable law.

Where possible, the athlete may request that the produced items be collected at the event or shipped at the athlete’s expense.

16. Payment disputes and chargebacks

Athletes must contact the Organizing Committee before initiating a PayPal dispute, bank dispute or payment chargeback.

The Organizing Committee will make reasonable efforts to resolve valid payment and refund issues directly.

Submitting an unjustified chargeback, false payment claim or duplicate refund request may result in:

  • Suspension of the athlete’s registration;
  • Cancellation of the registration;
  • Refusal of future registration;
  • Recovery of additional transaction or dispute fees, where legally permitted.

Nothing in this section prevents an athlete from exercising lawful consumer or payment-provider rights.

17. Athlete responsibility

Before making payment, the athlete is responsible for reviewing:

  • Competition eligibility requirements;
  • Division and category requirements;
  • Event dates;
  • Travel requirements;
  • Visa requirements;
  • Medical requirements;
  • Competition regulations;
  • This Refund and Cancellation Policy.

The athlete is responsible for entering accurate personal and payment information.

18. Mandatory consumer rights

Nothing in this policy excludes or limits any consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

If any provision of this policy conflicts with mandatory applicable law, the mandatory legal requirement will apply, and the remaining provisions will continue to remain in effect.

19. Policy updates

The organizer may update this policy to clarify procedures, comply with legal requirements or reflect necessary operational changes.

Changes will not reduce the refund rights already accepted by an athlete at the time of payment unless:

  • The athlete expressly agrees to the change; or
  • The change is required by applicable law.

The version of the policy in effect on the athlete’s payment date will normally apply to their registration.

20. Contact information

All cancellation, transfer and refund requests must be sent to:

Email: strongspiritsgames@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +380 63 935 12 88

Please include your full name, country, competition division and weight category in all messages.