The bid value ladder
- Full paid — the awarding event covers a fixed amount toward championship costs. The rarest and most celebrated bid.
- Partial paid — covers a portion of costs; common at strong events where paid coverage is split across more teams.
- At-large — invitation only; the team pays its own way. The most common bid.
- Wildcard (Summit only) — an entry-level bid into an additional qualifying round at The Summit.
What “full paid” actually covers
Less than the name suggests, usually. The coverage is a defined amount set by the awarding event — commonly the team’s championship registration and, in many cases, a contribution toward rooms or travel for a set number of athletes and coaches. It rarely makes the trip free for families: personal travel, meals, extra nights, and spectator costs still land on the household budget. Amounts and terms change year to year, which is why gyms confirm specifics with the event producer at the bid reveal.
Why events award paid bids
Bid allocations are part of what makes a competition matter: events with paid bids on the line draw the strongest fields, and “where the paid bids were won” becomes part of the season’s story. For teams, a full paid bid is both a financial relief and a resume line — it means the team beat a top field at a major event.
More questions, answered
Does a full paid bid make the championship trip free?
No. It covers a defined amount — typically registration and often a contribution toward lodging or travel — but families still pay personal travel, meals, and spectator costs. Coverage varies by event and year.
How does a team earn a full paid bid?
By finishing at the very top of its division at a bid event that has a full paid bid to award. Each event announces its bid winners at the awards bid reveal.
What is the difference between full paid and partial paid?
Scale of coverage. Full paid covers the event’s maximum defined amount toward championship costs; partial paid covers a smaller portion. Both outrank an at-large bid, which carries no funding.
Can a team trade up from an at-large bid to a paid bid?
Effectively yes — a team holding an at-large bid can keep competing at bid events and accept a paid bid if it earns one, typically without having to decline the bid it already holds.
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