Part IX. Event Licensing and Conduct Standards for Wrestling
18VAC120-40-415. Application for a license to conduct a wrestling event.
A. At least 30 days before the date of any wrestling event in the Commonwealth, the licensed promoter desiring to conduct the event shall deliver an application for a license to conduct a wrestling event to the department or its contractor. The application shall be on forms provided by the department and shall include:
1. The card of the wrestling show to be exhibited, including the name of each participant. The promoter may modify the card at any time up to the day of the event by providing the required documents for the additions to and the notice of the deletions from the card that accompanied the application;
2. A certification by the promoter that all participants are properly trained and competent to perform within the ring and ring area;
3. The date, location, and time of the event for which a license is sought. The department will consider the size and configuration of the location and may deny approval of the event license for safety reasons;
4. A statement certifying that all participants scheduled to compete are covered by a health insurance policy that covers medical expenses for injuries incurred during the wrestling event. A waiver of liability will be accepted in lieu of a health insurance policy.
5. Evidence of a surety bond filed with the department or its contractor conditioned on the payment of gate fees and penalties imposed by Chapter 8.1 (§ 54.1-828 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and on the fulfillment of the contracts made with the participants. The bond shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the department and in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the total gate fee required by this chapter and § 54.1-833 A of the Code of Virginia if all seats were to be sold and (ii) the total amount due to all participants for their appearance in the event. The bond shall not exceed $100,000 and shall be executed by a surety authorized to do business in the Commonwealth;
6. Acknowledgment that the promoter will provide a copy of the contract between the promoter and each of the participants to the department or its contractor upon request;
7. A copy of each contract by the promoter for the sale of the rights to distribute in any manner such event by any video, telephonic, or other communication method involving the control of electrons or other charge carriers;
8. A statement that the applicant has read and understands this chapter and will conduct the event in full compliance with same; and
9. Verification of status as a charity event as defined in this chapter.
B. In no case shall the applicant for an event license announce or advertise, either directly or indirectly, the event to the public until the department has approved the application and issued the event license.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.
18VAC120-40-415.1. Equipment to be provided by wrestling promoters.
The promoter shall assure that each event shall have the following:
1. A fighting ring that will be in the shape of a square, a hexagon, or an octagon. A square ring shall not be less than 16 feet square within the ropes and shall not exceed 20 feet square inside the ropes. A hexagon or octagon ring shall not be less than 16 feet (from any side to the opposite side) inside the ropes and shall not exceed 32 feet (from any side to the opposite side) inside the ropes. The ring floor shall be padded with ensolite, one inch thick, or another similar closed-cell foam. The padded ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes and over the edge of the platform with a top covering of canvas or other similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges shall not be used. The ring platform shall not be more than five feet above the floor of the building and shall have suitable steps for use of the contestants in their corners. Ring posts shall be of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a height of 58 inches above the ring floor. The ring posts shall be at least 18 inches away from the ring ropes. There shall be three or four ring ropes, no more than one inch in diameter, evenly spaced, with the bottom ring rope not less than 18 inches above the ring floor and the top ring rope not more than 52 inches above the ring floor. All ring ropes are to be tight and approved by the department or its contractor. All corners must be padded with approved pads. All turnbuckles are to be covered with a protective padding. The ring shall have bright lights and light all four corners and middle of the ring equally. No lights shall shine into the face of the participants, lights may only shine downward and not shine at any angle directly into the fighting ring area that may blind the participants. The promoter shall provide a ringside restrictive barrier between the first row of ringside seats and the ring area event official's area that will prevent the crowd from confronting the participants. The ringside barrier must be a minimum of six feet from the outside edge of the ring;
2. A bell or gong located at the ring no higher than the floor level of the ring. The bell or gong must produce a clear tone easily heard by the participants;
3. Locker rooms adequate in number and equipment to reasonably facilitate the participant's activities before and after the show. Separate locker rooms shall be provided when both male and female participants are scheduled to compete. Locker rooms shall have restroom facilities easily available;
4. A notice to the nearest hospital and the persons in charge of its emergency room of the date, time and location of event.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.
18VAC120-40-415.2. Wrestling event conduct standards.
A. Wrestling exhibitions shall be conducted inside the ring ropes or inside a securely barricaded area that prevents any direct contact between the participants and the audience.
B. Each match shall be conducted under the supervision of a referee who shall be currently licensed as a wrestler and who shall be responsible for the safety of the participants and spectators.
C. Neither the promoter or referee shall permit physically dangerous conduct or tactics by any participant.
D. Participants shall not intentionally cause a flow of blood or other bodily fluid from his body or any other participant's body during the course of the match. In the event a visible flow of blood or other bodily fluid from any participant occurs during the show, the referee shall immediately suspend the match until medical treatment can be obtained. If the flow of blood or other bodily fluid cannot be stopped, the match involving that participant shall not continue.
E. All participants will report to the event location and their locker rooms at the specified time. Once the participant reports to the event facility and to his locker room he will be disqualified if he leaves the staging area before the match or leaves the facility before the end of the bout without prior approval from the event inspector.
F. Promoters shall maintain peace, order and decency in the conduct of all participants and spectators.
G. Promoters must have, and maintain for review if needed, individual contracts on file for all their participants or shall report to the department, on a form provided by the department, within 24 hours of the completion of the event, any fees promised or received by the participants of that event.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.
18VAC120-40-415.3. Promoter to allow access to event and facilities.
A. The department may assign one or more representatives to each event to evaluate the contractor's performance or to assure compliance with Chapter 8.1 (§ 54.1-828 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
B. All event officials and representatives of the department assigned to an event, whether to monitor the contractor's performance or for any other authorized purpose, shall be granted immediate access by the promoter and the promoter's representatives to the licensed event and to any area or portion of the event facilities.
C. The promoter is responsible for security of the locker room area and shall permit no person to enter the locker room area except for the promoter or his staff or representative, licensed participants, the event inspector or any individual the department may deem appropriate to ensure compliance with Chapter 8.1 (§ 54.1-828 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.