2027 European Cup (Classic) Selection Process
Our primary goal is to use the European cup as an opportunity to continue to develop a pathway for international performance. Aligning with British Powerlifting’s vision, the European Cup team will be the development team.
This means our primary selection will begin with those who have not represented British Powerlifting at Open Worlds Classic and are not part of the 2027 Masters/Juniors international team.
Our secondary goal is to provide an opportunity for coaches, with national level handling experience, to gain valuable international experience to continue their development, utilising an open and transparent application process.
Our final goal is to promote longevity within the sport. British Powerlifting has a deep pool of talent, but some lifters on the cusp of international selection move on before reaching their full potential. We will use this competition to build clearer pathways for emerging talent. It gives those lifters a meaningful international target and a visible next step towards a World or European Championship squad, so they have a reason to stay engaged and keep progressing within the federation.
With these goals in mind our selection criteria is set out to reflect this and fill the team roster of 8 male and 8 female lifters. The procedure is as follows:
Selection
The top 8 lifters based on GL points [who have not represented British Powerlifting at Open Worlds Classic, are not part of the 2027 Masters/Juniors international teams AND who have achieved a minimum of 95.97/97.05 (Female/Male***) GL in one of the relevant competitions] will receive an invite. In order to be eligible, a lifter must have competed at one of the following*;
- 2026 Commonwealth Championships**
- 2026 Home Nations
- 2026 British Open Classic Championships
- 2027 British SubJnr/Jnr Classic Championships
- 2027 BUCS
*These competitions will be updated following European Cup 2027 for the European Cup 2028 selection
**If you are wanting to be considered for the 2027 European Cup team using a total from the 2026 Commonwealth Championships you MUST complete the following expression of interest form to be included in the selection rankings:
***These figures are the 5th place average from the previous years (2026) British Open Championships. We use this standard to set a benchmark reflective of our standard of talent and level that lifters at the European Cup should be striving for.
It is important to note that if you achieve this GL scoring, it does not guarantee selection for a place in the team, it only places you in the available pool for selection.
Further Considerations
Weight classes are capped at 2 lifters per weight class as per the international competition rules.
All prospective national team athletes must be in good standing with the federation and not serving any periods of ineligibility.
The decision on which classes will be taken will be based on the rankings of the GL going from highest to lowest. Once there are 2 lifters in a weight class it is full. In this case the next eligible lifter would be a lifter who is in a different weight OR the next ranked lifter if they are willing to move up a weight class for the competition. [who have not represented British Powerlifting at Open Worlds Classic and are not part of the 2027 Masters/Juniors international team AND who have achieved the minimum GL standard in one of the relevant competitions].
