How is BMX Park scored?
In UCI BMX Park, a panel of 3 to 6 judges gives each one-minute run a single mark from 0.00 to 99.99 for the overall impression. The marks are averaged and the average is cut, not rounded, to two decimals. Every rider has two runs: in qualification the two run scores are averaged, in the semi-final and final only the better run counts. Ties are decided by the judges, and nothing is official until the head judge approves it.
BMX Park scoring at a glance
| Rule | UCI BMX Park |
|---|---|
| Judges | 3 to 6, including the head judge |
| Scale | One mark from 0.00 to 99.99 per run, for the overall impression |
| Run length | 1 minute |
| Runs per round | 2 – the whole heat rides run 1, then run 2 |
| Run score | Average of the judges’ marks, cut (not rounded) to 2 decimals |
| Qualification | Average of both run scores |
| Semi-final and final | Best run counts |
| Heats | 4 to 6 riders, set by the number of entries |
| Ties | Decided by the judges |
| Official results | Only after the head judge approves |
Who scores a run, and on what scale?
A panel of 3 to 6 judges, including a head judge, scores every run (UCI 6bis.6.018). Each judge gives one mark between 0.00 and 99.99 for the rider’s whole performance (6bis.6.011). The run score is the average of the panel’s marks.
The average is cut after the second decimal: no rounding is done. A run averaging 86.1666 scores 86.16. Individual judges’ marks are not published for each run.
What do judges look at?
The mark is an overall impression of the run (6bis.6.027). The rulebook lists, among others:
- difficulty, height and execution of the tricks
- flow, style, originality and versatility
- variety of tricks, progression and risk
- landings and use of the whole course
The overall composition of the run matters most. Stops, foot touches and falls lead to deductions (6bis.6.028). Judges don’t add up points per trick: they weigh everything together into one number.
How many runs, and which ones count?
Every rider rides two runs of one minute in every round (6bis.6.004, 6bis.6.029). The whole heat rides run 1, then the whole heat rides run 2.
| Round | Runs | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | 2 × 1 min | Average of both run scores |
| Semi-final | 2 × 1 min | Best run |
| Final | 2 × 1 min | Best run |
So qualification rewards two clean runs, and the final rewards the one best run.
How many riders go through?
The number of entries decides the rounds (6bis.6.003, 2026 edition). Heats have 4 to 6 riders, as many sixes as possible and the smaller heats first (Annex II); 7 entries ride as one heat.
| Entries | Rounds | Qualification heats (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 5–8 | Qualification → top 4 to the Final | 8 riders: 4 + 4 |
| 9–15 | Qualification → top 8 to the Final | 12 riders: 6 + 6 |
| 16–31 | Qualification → top 12 to the Final | 20 riders: 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 |
| 32+ | Qualification → top 24 to a Semi-final → top 12 to the Final | 40 riders: 5 + 5 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 |
Finals ride as 1 heat of 4, 2 heats of 4 or 2 heats of 6; a semi-final as 4 heats of 6. The UCI table starts at 5 entries; with fewer, bar runs a final only. bar builds the next round’s start list in reverse order of the ranking.
Worked example: from five marks to a placing
Rider A rides qualification in front of five judges:
| Run | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | Run score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run 1 | 82.50 | 84.00 | 81.75 | 86.00 | 83.25 | 83.50 |
| Run 2 | 85.00 | 87.50 | 84.25 | 88.00 | 86.10 | 86.17 |
Run 2 averages 86.17. The qualification score is the average of both runs: (83.50 + 86.17) ÷ 2 = 84.835, cut to 84.83. If this were the final, only run 2 would count: 86.17.
Now Rider B’s run, where judge 4 sees it very differently from the rest of the panel:
| J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | Run score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As scored | 86.00 | 85.50 | 87.00 | 74.00 | 86.50 | 83.80 |
| If J4 agreed | 86.00 | 85.50 | 87.00 | 86.00 | 86.50 | 86.20 |
One mark 12 points under the panel costs Rider B 2.40 points, often enough to change places or miss the cut. Sometimes that mark is right. Often a judge simply missed a trick or a detail while writing.
Ties and the head judge
When riders tie, the judges discuss the riders’ performances and decide who rode better before the scores are reported (6bis.6.015). The head judge is responsible for the panel’s work (6bis.8.004).
No score is official until the head judge has checked and approved it (6bis.6.019). Judges can’t change their own marks afterwards; only the head judge can authorise a correction when a mistake was made (6bis.6.026).
From the judging table
What I see again and again at contests, from local jams to UCI C1 events:
Look at the whole panel, not only your sheet
Judges’ marks differ, and on paper sheets nobody sees the big picture of the results while the session runs. Every so often one judge is far off because a trick or another detail was missed. With all marks side by side, such a mark is easy to catch before the heat is approved. In bar, marks far from the panel are flagged, and the judge analysis shows how each judge scores against the others.
Agree on the judge sheet before the day
Organisers often don’t know what a judge sheet should look like. Ready layouts help: a classic sheet with a comment line per run, a trick list, a sheet with criteria, a compact one, and a head judge summary. Keep every heat on one page, so no judge turns a page mid-heat.
Fit the format to the group
Not every group needs the UCI format. A beginners’ group is often fine with 45-second runs. Set up your own format with the run length, runs, rounds and criteria you need. It doesn’t even have to be BMX or an action sport: any contest judged by a panel works the same way.
Give riders a results link
After the contest, riders often head off to eat or back to the hotel. A results link lets them check the results the moment they are out, instead of waiting by the board.
Give volunteers a ready tool
Contests rely on helpers and volunteers who are often far from the sport. Give them access to a tool that is already set up, so they work to a fixed template instead of guessing.
Common questions
Can a rider win without the highest single run?
In qualification, yes: the two run scores are averaged, so a rider with two solid runs can place ahead of a rider with one big run and one crash. In the semi-final and final only the better run counts, so the best single run wins, unless two riders tie and the judges decide.
Is the average rounded?
No. Under UCI rules the average is cut after the second decimal and never rounded: 84.835 becomes 84.83, not 84.84.
How many judges do I need?
UCI rules call for a panel of 3 to 6 judges, including the head judge. Three is enough for a local contest; more judges make one unusual mark matter less.
Why does a judge give one mark instead of points per trick?
UCI judging is an overall impression of the whole run. Difficulty, execution, flow, use of the course and the rest are weighed together into one mark, and the composition of the run matters most.
Can I run a contest with shorter runs or a different format?
Yes, outside UCI events. Beginner groups often ride 45-second runs. In bar you can save your own format with your run length, number of runs, rounds and criteria, and it works for any contest judged by a panel.
Run your next contest with bar
UCI BMX Park built in: heats by number of entries, judges scoring on their phones, marks far from the panel flagged, head judge approval and live results. Free for categories of up to 8 riders.
Create a free accountSee how bar worksSources
- UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 6 bis – BMX Freestyle, articles 6bis.6.003–6bis.6.029 and 6bis.8.001–6bis.8.004, with Annex II (heats). The 2026 edition is used for rounds and heats. 2023 edition (PDF); check the current edition for your event.
- Scores and examples on this page are calculated with bar’s scoring engine, which follows these rules.
bar is not an official UCI product and is not affiliated with the UCI. This guide explains the rules in plain words; the rulebook always wins.