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UPA ASIA MEDIA ACCREDITATION REGULATIONS

OFFICIAL MEDIA ACCESS POLICY & PROCEDURES

1.1 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
These regulations govern all media access to UPA Asia sanctioned events. The regulations apply to all persons seeking or holding media accreditation, regardless of media type. By applying for and/or accepting UPA Asia media accreditation, all media representatives acknowledge they have read, understood, and agree to comply with these regulations in their entirety.

1.2 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of these regulations:

  • “Rights Holder” means broadcast partners who have acquired exclusive media rights from UPA Asia through official agreements
  • “Non-Rights Holder” means accredited media organizations without exclusive broadcast rights
  • “Editorial Use” means content used only for news reporting. This excludes any commercial use, advertising, sponsored content, or resale
  • “Pro Courts” means Championship Court and Grandstand Court, being the primary broadcast courts
  • “Outside Courts” means all other match courts not designated as Pro Courts
  • “Pro Players” means professional athletes competing in Pro Division events
  • “Amateur Players” means all other tournament participants


1.3 AUTHORITY
Final authority for all media accreditation decisions and policy interpretation rests with UPA Asia or its designated representative.

ARTICLE 2: ACCREDITATION PROCESS

2.1 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All media accreditation applications must be submitted exclusively through the official UPA Asia portal at https://upa-asia.com/media/. No applications will be accepted through any other channel. Late applications may be rejected at UPA Asia’s sole discretion.

2.2 ACCREDITATION CATEGORIES
UPA Asia issues the following media accreditation categories:

  • Category RH: RIGHTS HOLDERS
    • Exclusive Pro Court access
    • Live broadcast rights
    • Reserved positions in Media Center
    • Priority WiFi access and power outlets
    • Priority access to Mixed Zone positions
  • Category M: MEDIA (Non-Rights Holders)
    • All professional media and content creators
    • VIDEO: Outside courts only (2-minute daily limit) – NO Pro Court filming
    • PHOTO: From grandstand/spectator areas only – NO court-side access
    • INTERVIEWS: Mixed zone access
    • COURT-SIDE: NO ACCESS
    • PHOTO BANK: Daily access to official UPA Asia photos
    • BROADCAST FOOTAGE: May request Pro Court broadcast footage for editorial use (provided at discretion of UPA Asia)
    • MEDIA CENTER: Access to shared workspace with WiFi and power outlets (subject to availability)
  • Category P: PHOTO ONLY
    • Still photography only – NO video equipment permitted
    • Court-side access to designated photo positions
    • Must follow rotation and timing directions
    • Any video equipment = immediate credential revocation
    • MEDIA CENTER: Access to shared workspace with WiFi and power outlets (subject to availability)


2.3 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Accreditation is restricted to professional media meeting the following criteria:

  • Evidence of regular publication/broadcast of sports or related/relevant content
  • Proof of assignment to cover the specific UPA Asia event
  • Minimum circulation/audience thresholds as determined by UPA Asia
  • No representatives of PR agencies, marketing firms, or non-editorial entities


2.4 SPECIAL CATEGORIES
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, CONTENT CREATORS, AND KOLs:

  • Eligible for media accreditation under Category M or P
  • This document governs only their media access and obligations at events
  • Any additional promotional activities, on-court appearances, or partnership arrangements are governed by separate agreements with UPA Asia
  • Must comply with all media regulations while acting in media capacity

ARTICLE 3: VIDEO AND BROADCAST REGULATIONS

3.1 RIGHTS HOLDER PRIVILEGES
Organizations holding official UPA Asia broadcast rights maintain exclusive access to Pro Courts for video capture and/or live broadcast. Rights holders receive dedicated facilities, positions, and technical support as outlined in their agreements.

3.2 NON-RIGHTS HOLDER VIDEO RESTRICTIONS
Non-rights holders with Category M accreditation are strictly prohibited from:

  • Any filming on Pro Courts (Championship and Grandstand Courts)
  • Live streaming from any location within the venue
  • Broadcasting content during the event or within embargo periods
  • Creating highlight packages or compilation videos that are not part of journalistic reporting (e.g., “best points” videos, entertainment reels, or content designed primarily for views rather than news)
  • Accessing court-side positions

3.3 PERMITTED VIDEO CAPTURE
Category M accredited media may capture:

  • Match footage from Outside Courts only, with a maximum cumulative limit of two (2) minutes per day
  • Unlimited footage in designated interview zones (Mixed Zone, Press Conference Room)
  • Atmosphere footage in public areas that does not focus on match play
  • Practice court footage subject to Article 7 restrictions

ARTICLE 4: PHOTOGRAPHY REGULATIONS

4.1 PHOTOGRAPHER ACCESS
Category P accreditation provides access to designated court-side photography positions. Photographers must not impede spectator views and must give priority to ticketed patrons in grandstand areas. Movement is permitted only between games or during official timeouts. Access to court-level photo positions is time-limited and rotational – photographers must vacate positions when directed by UPA Asia officials.

4.2 TECHNICAL RESTRICTIONS

  • Flash photography is strictly prohibited at courts
  • Remote cameras require prior approval from UPA Asia
  • Photographers must follow all positioning and timing directions from UPA Asia officials, including mandatory rotation between photographers
  • Court-level positions are limited-time access only
  • Equipment must not block aisles, exits, or emergency routes
  • No video equipment permitted with Category P accreditation

ARTICLE 5: DESIGNATED ZONES AND RESTRICTED AREAS

5.1 APPROVED INTERVIEW ZONES
Media may conduct interviews ONLY in the following designated areas if available/provided:

  • Mixed Zone: For PRO PLAYERS ONLY immediately post-match
  • Amateur Awards Presentation Zone: For AMATEUR PLAYERS between ceremonies
  • Press Conference Room: For official tournament press conferences
  • Other locations only with prior written approval from UPA Asia

5.2 RESTRICTED AREAS
The following areas are strictly OFF-LIMITS to all media:

  • Player lounges and rest areas
  • Practice courts (for interviews – observation permitted per Article 7)
  • Player dining and catering facilities
  • Medical and physiotherapy treatment areas
  • Player warm-up zones
  • Locker rooms and changing facilities
  • Any area designated “Players Only” or “Restricted Access”

5.3 PLAYER PROTECTION
Media must not approach players outside designated zones. Players declining interview requests must not be pursued. Violation of player privacy will result in immediate credential revocation.

5.4 MEDIA PROFESSIONALISM
Media credential holders must maintain professional conduct:

  • No requesting autographs or personal photos with players
  • No personal memorabilia for signing
  • Professional interactions only
  • Violation may result in credential revocation

ARTICLE 6: CLEAN VENUE AND COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS

6.1 CLEAN VENUE POLICY
All media content must comply with UPA Asia’s clean venue requirements:

  • Media representatives must not prominently display brands deemed competitive to UPA Asia partners
  • Players may wear their own sponsors during interviews
  • No positioning interviews to prominently feature non-partner venue signage
  • Interview backdrops must display only approved UPA Asia branding


6.2 BACKDROP LOCATIONS
Media must use only UPA Asia-approved locations for stand-up broadcasts and interviews. Location approval ensures proper sponsor visibility and prevents ambush marketing.

ARTICLE 7: PRACTICE COURT PROTOCOLS

7.1 PRACTICE SESSION COVERAGE
Media access to practice sessions is permitted under the following conditions:

  • Observation from designated areas only (no court-level access)
  • Maximum five (5) minutes of video capture per practice session
  • Still photography permitted throughout practice
  • NO approaching players or coaches during practice
  • NO interview requests on practice courts

ARTICLE 8: CONTENT USAGE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

8.1 EDITORIAL USE REQUIREMENT
All content captured under UPA Asia media accreditation must be used solely for editorial purposes. Commercial use, including sale to third parties, sponsored content, or advertising, is strictly prohibited.

8.2 ATTRIBUTION AND REPORTING

  • Photos from UPA Asia photo bank: Must credit appropriately as per photo bank instructions. 
  • Social media posts: Tag appropriate UPA Asia social media handles
  • Media must submit links to published content within 48 hours
  • Failure to provide proof of coverage may impact future accreditation


8.3 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
UPA Asia retains all intellectual property rights to the tournament. Media may not use UPA Asia logos, trademarks, or proprietary content without express written permission.

8.4 OFFICIAL PHOTO SERVICE
UPA Asia provides daily photo packages for editorial use:

  • High-resolution images available via media portal
  • Must credit “Photo: UPA Asia” in all usage
  • Editorial use only – no commercial exploitation
  • May not be altered except for standard cropping/color correction

ARTICLE 9: DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA

9.1 SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
Accredited media may post to social platforms provided:

  • No live match streaming
  • No posting full games or extended rally sequences
  • No real-time point-by-point commentary during broadcast embargo
  • Content must be clearly editorial, not promotional

ARTICLE 10: COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

10.1 VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
The following violations will result in immediate credential revocation:

  • Filming on Pro Courts
  • Live streaming from venue
  • Approaching players in restricted areas
  • Exceeding time or content limits
  • Commercial use of content
  • Failure to follow official instructions
  • Providing false information in application
  • Category P credential holders using video equipment
  • Category M credential holders accessing court-side areas

10.2 ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES
UPA Asia officials may inspect media positions, review captured content, and enforce compliance. Refusal to cooperate with compliance checks will result in immediate credential revocation and venue removal.

10.3 APPEALS PROCESS
Appeals regarding credential revocation must be submitted in writing to UPA Asia within 24 hours. The Director’s decision is final.

ARTICLE 11: GENERAL TERMS

11.1 CREDENTIAL PROPERTIES

  • Credentials remain property of UPA Asia
  • Non-transferable and must be worn visibly at all times
  • Lost credentials must be reported immediately
  • Sharing credentials will result in immediate revocation and may impact future accreditation eligibility

11.2 ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Media representatives acknowledge the inherent risks in covering sporting events and release UPA Asia from any liability for injury or equipment damage.

11.3 MODIFICATION RIGHTS
UPA Asia reserves the right to modify these regulations at any time.

ARTICLE 12: ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT

By submitting an application through https://upa-asia.com/media/ and/or accepting a media credential, the bearer agrees to comply with all regulations contained herein and acknowledges that violation of any provision may result in immediate credential revocation, removal from venue, and denial of future accreditation privileges.

ISSUED BY: UPA Asia
EFFECTIVE DATE: 28 July 2025
VERSION: 1.2
CONTACT: media@upa-asia.com

This document supersedes all previous UPA Asia media regulations and policies