Media Services & Accreditation

USA Ultimate welcomes all working journalists assigned to cover a USA Ultimate event, including written and editorial press, photographers, videographers and others. As the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, USA Ultimate requires all accredited media to follow its established policies and guidelines.

The purpose of these guidelines is to support members of the media with access and services that allow them to effectively perform their jobs; maintain an environment that provides the best possible experience for competitors, fans and event organizers; and protect USA Ultimate’s commercial rights to its events (or those of its designated rights-holders.)

USA Ultimate strives to maintain a safe, welcoming, professional and positive working environment for members of the media, who are expected to not only adhere to these guidelines, but also the instruction of USA Ultimate staff, members of the local organizing committee and event security at all times or risk limitation of access.

INTRODUCTION

USA Ultimate welcomes all working journalists assigned to cover a USA Ultimate event, including written and editorial press, photographers, videographers and others. As the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, USA Ultimate requires all accredited media to follow its established policies and guidelines.

The purpose of these guidelines is to support members of the media with access and services that allow them to effectively perform their jobs; maintain an environment that provides the best possible experience for competitors, fans and event organizers; and protect USA Ultimate’s commercial rights to its events (or those of its designated rights-holders.)

USA Ultimate strives to maintain a safe, welcoming, professional and positive working environment for members of the media, who are expected to not only adhere to these guidelines, but also the instruction of USA Ultimate staff, members of the local organizing committee and event security at all times or risk limitation of access.

1. MEDIA ACCREDITATION

USA Ultimate appreciates all media coverage and will do its best to accommodate all reasonable requests for accreditation. Media credentials are intended to provide working members of the press and team media representatives access to facilities, and in some cases, field-side access for the purposes of video, photography, or an otherwise unobstructed view of competition. Media credentials are granted at the sole discretion of USA Ultimate’s marketing and communications department. 

By applying for a media credential to cover a USA Ultimate event, applicants agree to comply with these guidelines. Review them thoroughly before submitting an application, and please don’t hesitate to contact USA Ultimate’s communications department if you have any questions.

To request a media credential for a USA Ultimate event, all journalists must complete the Media Accreditation Application no later than one (1) week prior to the beginning of each event. Please note that submitting a request does not automatically guarantee approval.  

2. ELIGIBILITY

Local, National and International Media

• Members of the media (including writers, editors, producers, photographers and videographers) who are in the business of news gathering or the production of editorial or feature content for television, radio, streaming, print media or other pre-approved online or new media platforms.
• Official media partners of USA Ultimate, including broadcast and livestream partners, videographers and photographers. 
• Contributors to media sources endemic to the sport of ultimate.
• Local event partners, including Local Organizing Committee (LOC) representatives, internal CVB and Sports Commission staff and event sponsors and business partners.  

Team Media Representatives

• Content collectors designated by the leadership of participating teams. Teams are permitted a maximum of two (2) media credentials for designated photographers and/or videographers, who are subject to the terms of USA Ultimate’s Media Guidelines and Recording Partnership Agreement. 

The following individuals are not eligible to receive media credentials unless they meet the criteria outlined above or are formally designated as media by their team or respective media entity. 

• Team personnel (e.g. coaches, chaperones, players, etc.)
• Family and friends of participating players.
• Unaffiliated individuals seeking access for use on personal digital or social media channels.  

3. CREDENTIAL APPLICATION & PICK-UP

USA Ultimate will determine, at its sole discretion, which of its events will require physical media credentials. The most up-to-date list of events that require a credential is included in the online accreditation application.  

Currently, USA Ultimate issues physical credentials for its D-I College Championships, U.S. Open Club Championships and National Championships.

Accredited media for these events may pick up their credential during the on-site event registration period, which is typically held the evening before competition begins. Approved media will receive a pre-event email outlining the time and location for registration. All accredited media are encouraged to attend registration in order to obtain their credential. If a member of the media cannot attend registration, credentials will be made available for pick up at the USA Ultimate Information tent or another designated area.  

Although physical credentials may not be issued for other USA Ultimate-owned and operated events, USA Ultimate still requires members of the media (including team media) to complete the registration process. This applies to all other USA Ultimate championship events, postseason series tournaments (including conferences, sectionals and regionals) and major Triple Crown Tour events.

To apply for a credential, or to register as a member of the media for a USA Ultimate event, please complete the online application below.

4. MEDIA WORKSPACE

A media tent, press box or other similar space may be provided on site by USA Ultimate with the intention of serving as a place for credentialed media to effectively do their job. The availability, size and location of media workspace may vary across events and venues. Basic accommodations will include power, outlets, tables and chairs. 

USA Ultimate will make every reasonable effort to provide internet access in the designated workspace but cannot guarantee it for all events as it is often subject to existing venue infrastructure and available wireless networks. 

All media covering a USA Ultimate event are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner at all times by following these rules:

• No alcohol.
• No smoking, vaping, use of tobacco products or illegal substances.
• No cheering, profanity or unruly behavior.
• Vocal volume should be conducive to a working environment. 
• Dress accordingly. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing with offensive messaging is prohibited. 
• Fluids in the vicinity of the workspace must be in closeable, sealable containers.
• Clean up after yourself. Trash must be thrown away when your work is completed. 
• The media workspace will remain open for 90 minutes following the conclusion of competition on each day of the event.

5. FIELD ACCESS (GENERAL)

To ensure the safety of participating athletes, coaches, support staff, officials and fans, and in order to provide spectators with an unobstructed view of competition, USA Ultimate restricts the access of people and equipment adjacent to the field of play. At no time should a member of the media interfere with, or otherwise compromise the competitive integrity of the game or the ability for others associated with the game to conduct their core responsibilities. 

“Yellow Zone“

Individuals with credentials that permit access to the Yellow Zone (illustrated in the graphic below) are allowed in the space between the dashed Player Line and the Sideline. This space is exclusively for observers, official USA Ultimate photographers, videographers and rights-holding broadcast or livestreaming partners. In addition, teams participating in the game may have up to two (2) pre-approved and accredited team media representatives with Yellow Zone access. As a matter of emphasis, observers frequently run up and down the field in this designated space throughout the course of the game. Permitted media in this space must never obstruct the observers’ ability to move freely or otherwise safely and effectively perform their job. USA Ultimate has a zero-tolerance policy for obstructing observers. A first offense will result in restricted access. A second offense will result in the immediate revocation of credentials. 

“Blue Zone“

Individuals with credentials that permit access to the Blue Zone (illustrated in the graphic below) are allowed in the space between the dashed Player Line and the Spectator/Equipment Line. This space is exclusively for participating players, coaches, support staff and all other accredited media. Media with Blue Zone access may not cross beyond the dashed player line. A first offense will result in restricted access. A second offense will result in the immediate revocation of credentials.

“Red Zone“

For safety reasons, accredited media are restricted from positioning themselves in the area immediately behind the end zones (illustrated by the area marked in red in the graphic below). All people and equipment must remain behind the Spectator/Equipment Line at all times.

6. STANDARD FIELD LAYOUT

The following diagram represents a typical sideline at a USA Ultimate championship event. Access to the sidelines is described in the Section 4 above. If you have any questions, or are otherwise unsure of where to stand, please ask a USA Ultimate official on site.

7. FIELD ACCESS (STADIUM/SHOWCASE FIELD)

In addition to the guidance in Section 5, additional guidelines may apply when covering competition in a stadium setting or on a showcase field with more restricted access. For select semifinal or championship games, or games that are televised or livestreamed, field access is likely to be more restricted.

Priority will be given to rights-holding broadcast or livestreaming partners, official USA Ultimate photographers and videographers, and team media representatives of teams participating in the game. USA Ultimate reserves the right to limit stadium or showcase field access to only these accredited media.  

8. APPAREL

Accredited media attending a USA Ultimate event in a working capacity are expected to dress accordingly. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing with offensive messaging is prohibited. Given that accredited media may have premier, field-side access and are in highly visible areas, including those which are often photographed, broadcast, livestreamed, or otherwise captured in still or moving images, apparel with egregious branding or branding that is in conflict with official USA Ultimate sponsors or partners, or otherwise violate copyright or trademark restrictions, is prohibited.  

9. INTERVIEWS
USA Ultimate is available to help facilitate media interviews with any participating athletes, coaches or event organizers. If you’d like to connect with an individual to schedule an interview, please contact USA Ultimate’s marketing and communications department. For accredited media, here are a few simple guidelines to follow regarding interviews with athletes and coaches:

• While your credential may provide you access to sidelines, never approach an athlete or coach for an interview during the course of a game – including halftime, timeouts or other stoppages.
• There is no formal designated field-side interview area. Interviews with athletes and coaches may be conducted up to one (1) hour prior to the start of a game or anytime following the conclusion of a game. 
• Be respectful of athletes, coaches, team staff, and event organizers at all times. The field of play and adjacent areas are primarily spaces for coaches, team support staff, event organizers and others who have a direct role in the competition.

10. PHOTOGRAPHY
To be eligible for accreditation, or otherwise approved to take photos, all photographers must sign and agree to USA Ultimate’s Recording Partnership Agreement (RPA) as part of their application. For events where physical credentials are issued, a copy of the RPA will be provided as part of the media packet.

11. VIDEO
All video recordings are subject to existing partnerships with rights-holding broadcast and livestreaming partners. All videographers applying for a media credential, including team videographers, must complete the “Plans for Coverage” section of the credential application. Plans must not conflict with the exclusive rights granted to video partners. USA Ultimate reserves the right to restrict the distribution of video recordings in order to protect the rights of its broadcast and livestreaming partners. 

The following guidelines apply to all non-rights holding, accredited videographers, including local and network television outlets, team media representatives, and other videographers who do not have a pre-existing video agreement in place with USA Ultimate to record and distribute content from its events. Unless otherwise agreed to, USA Ultimate owns all video content produced from its events.

• Accredited videographers may shoot footage of all awards ceremonies, interviews, and non-competitive activity of which another broadcaster has not acquired the exclusive rights. 
• Videographers may not record and distribute all-game programs, on a live or tape-delayed basis, without prior written approval from USA Ultimate.
• In the event that the recording of full-game footage recorded by a non-rights holder is approved, USA Ultimate shall receive the first right of refusal to distribute via one or more of its distribution platforms on either a live or tape-delayed basis. 
• Should USA Ultimate decline to distribute full-game footage recorded by a non-rights holder, individuals may publish games on their own personal/private platforms, but only after USA Ultimate has been offered – and declined – the opportunity to publish. 
• Distribution rights of full-game footage may not be offered by an accredited videographer to a third party. 
• Team-specific media representatives may record their own team’s games for private, internal use for the purposes of evaluation and scouting. Any intended public distribution is subject to the aforementioned guidelines. 
• Sponsors and other commercial partners may hire video crews to shoot USA Ultimate events for marketing and promotional purposes. All such requests to do so must be cleared with USA Ultimate’s marketing and communications department. 
• Non-rights holding accredited videographers may record any game for the purposes of producing highlight footage, unless otherwise prohibited by a pre-existing, exclusive agreement with a rights holder, and provided that all content is also made freely available to USA Ultimate for co-distribution. 
• Video content from USA Ultimate events may not be sold, commercialized or otherwise branded with a product, service or business without a Licensing Agreement in place. 
• USA Ultimate retains the right to record its own video of any and all activity at its events. 

12. DRONES
The use of non-approved unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), i.e. drones, is strictly prohibited at all USA Ultimate events. In rare cases, the use of UAS may be approved in accordance with FAA and venue policies for specified, pre-approved promotional activity or by official, rights-holding broadcast partners.

13. CODE OF CONDUCT

As a participant at a USA Ultimate event, all accredited members of the media are subject to a Code of Conduct.

14. VIOLATIONS 

Any violations of these guidelines, or USA Ultimate’s Code of Conduct may result in the immediate revocation of credentials and/or denial of access to future USA Ultimate events. 

15. RECORDING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
In addition to the USA Ultimate Media Guidelines, all accredited photographers and videographers must agree and adhere to the terms of USA Ultimate’s Recording Partnership Agreement.