How the Contest Area Must Be Set Up at Official WT Events

The correct installation of the Contest Area is a regulatory requirement at all competitions promoted or recognized by World Taekwondo, including G-ranked events.

WT permits square or octagonal configurations:

The square Contest Area must measure 8m x 8m.
The octagonal Contest Area must measure approximately 8 meters across, with each side measuring approximately 3.3 meters.
The entire Competition Area, including the Safety Area, must measure between 10m x 10m and 12m x 12m.

The full 60 centimeters must be visually distinguished

The Alert Area is a continuous 60-centimeter-wide band extending inward from the outer boundary of the Contest Area toward its center.

It must follow the entire perimeter and maintain the shape of the Contest Area, whether square or octagonal. The full 60-centimeter band must be clearly distinguished from the rest of the surface by a visibly different color.

Contest Area Must Be Set Up at Official WT Events

The rules are explicit: a line or adhesive tape cannot replace the Alert Area. Simply marking where the band begins is also insufficient. Its entire surface must be visually distinguished by color.

Its purpose is to warn athletes and referees that they are approaching the boundary and help prevent accidental exits. Entering the Alert Area does not automatically result in a penalty because it remains part of the valid Contest Area.

This configuration is neither an aesthetic choice nor an organizational trend. It is the technical standard established by WT to ensure safety, visual awareness and consistent competition conditions across all recognized events.

Source: World Taekwondo Competition Rules & Interpretation, in force as of June 1, 2026