Level 1 Day 1 · 12:00
Beginner
Your first contest, or you are still learning the basics. Speed ladder: up to five players race through the same list for 1:30, and the one who lands the most tricks moves on.
- Tons of kendamas to win
Romania Kendama Open 2026
- 19–20 December
- Bucharest
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Live now in Bucharest
The event
Two days. Six categories. One city.
Romania Kendama Open brings players from Romania and from abroad to Bucharest for a full weekend of kendama, from 10:00 to 20:00 on both days.
Saturday belongs to the levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, plus the Freestyle qualifiers if we need them. Sunday is the big day, with Game of Ken, the Pro Open and the Freestyle Top 16 finals under the lights.
Whether it is your first contest or you are chasing the $1,000 Pro Open title, there is a category for you. And between rounds: sessions, trades and new friends.
2days in Bucharest
6categories
$6,800cash prizes, plus tons of kendamas
More details coming soon
Categories & prizes
Pick your battle
Four levels, from your first contest to the pro stage, plus Game of Ken and Freestyle, which are one category for every player. Every category has its own rules page; the levels also have a tricklist.
Level 2 Day 1 · 14:00
Intermediate
You land Airplane and Lighthouse and you are working on balance tricks and your first flips. Spike Off first, then the Top 8 battle 1v1 on the tricklist.
- 1st place$300
- 2nd place$100
- 3rd place$50
- + tons of kendamas
Level 3 Day 1 · 16:00
Advanced
Flips, stalls and juggles are part of your game. The last step before the Pro Open. Spike Off first, then the Top 8 battle 1v1 on the tricklist.
- 1st place$500
- 2nd place$300
- 3rd place$150
- + kendamas
Top level, open to all Day 2 · 14:00
Pro Open
The main event, open to every player in the world and played in the Open format from the very first round. A hard main list, then a bonus list for the Top 16.
- 1st place$1,000
- 2nd place$500
- 3rd place$300
Same for everyone Day 2 · 12:00
Game of Ken
Classic Game of Ken: 2-2-3 with prove it. Set a trick, make your opponent match it; K-E-N and you are out. One bracket for every player.
- 1st place$1,000
- 2nd place$500
- 3rd place$300
Same for everyone Day 1 + 2 · 18:00
Freestyle
Classic freestyle: your own runs to music, decided by the judges. One category for every player; the Top 16 take the main stage on Sunday night.
- 1st place$1,000
- 2nd place$500
- 3rd place$300
Entry rule
Up to 3 categories
Every player can enter up to 3 categories, and only one of them can be a level.
Levels: pick one
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Pro Open are the four levels, each with its own format. Choose the one that fits you.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedPro Open
One of these four, at most.
Same for everyone
Game of Ken and Freestyle have no levels. Everyone plays in the same category, from first-timers to pros, and you can enter them with or without a level.
Game of KenFreestyle
- Beginner + Game of Ken + Freestyle: allowed.
- Game of Ken + Freestyle: allowed, no level needed.
- Pro Open on its own: allowed.
- Beginner + Intermediate: not allowed, that is two levels.
Plan your entry
Tick the categories you want. Options that would break the rule are switched off.
Pick the categories you want to play. The planner shows what is allowed.
Schedule
The weekend
Doors open at 10:00 on both days. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your category to check in.
Day 1
Saturday, 19 DecLevel day: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
- OpeningCheck-in, warm-up and registration desk
- Freestyle qualificationsOnly if more than 16 players sign up
- Closing Day 1
Day 2
Sunday, 20 DecFinals day: Game of Ken, Pro Open and the Freestyle Top 16.
- OpeningCheck-in and warm-up
- Game of Ken4 simultaneous matches
- Event closingAwards and goodbye
Times are local time in Bucharest (EET, UTC+2). Rounds can start a little later if the previous category runs long; we announce changes on the day.
Judges
Meet the judges
Experienced players from the kendama scene, each representing a kendama brand. The fifth judge is announced soon.
Adi Hacman
Prism Kendama
@_hacman
Baiatul Cool
Krom Romania
@baiatulcoo1
Alex Iosub
SquareDama
@alex.iosub26
Olteanu Mugur
Kendama Games
@mugur_ken
Coming soon
The fifth judge is announced soon. Follow us so you don't miss it.
Tickets
Tickets: coming soon
Sign-up and online payment open on this page soon. Remember: up to 3 categories per player, only one of them a level.
Player entry
One entry per category. Pick one level if you want, plus Game of Ken and Freestyle.
Price TBAComing soon
Spectators
Come and watch the best players in the country and from abroad. Details arrive with ticket sales.
Info TBAComing soon
Clubs & groups
Coming with a club, a school or a big group of friends? Tell us early so we can plan with you.
Want to know the second tickets go live? Follow @ajk.romania, @theandreibogdan and @vlasekindafunny_. Read the ticket cancellation policy.
Travel & stay
Coming from abroad?
- Flights to Bucharest from every region
- Airport train, bus 100 and the metro
- Hotels and hostels with December prices
- Map of the city
Rules & tricklists
Know the format
- Rules for all 6 categories
- Tricklists for every level, with a Top 16 bonus list
- Save any page as a PDF
Updates
Follow for updates
Venue, tickets, tricklist changes and the line-up: everything is posted first on these accounts, on Instagram, TikTok and every other platform.
Partners & sponsors
Event partners
The brands and organisations that make Romania Kendama Open 2026 happen. More partners are announced as they join.
Organiser
Asociația Jucătorilor de Kendama
FAQ
Questions
When and where is Romania Kendama Open 2026?
On 19 and 20 December 2026 in Bucharest, Romania, from 10:00 to 20:00 on both days. We will announce the venue here and on our social accounts soon.
How many categories can I enter?
Up to 3. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Pro Open are levels, so you can pick only one of them. Game of Ken and Freestyle are the same for every player and have no levels. For example, Beginner + Game of Ken + Freestyle is fine; Beginner + Intermediate is not.
Which level should I choose?
Open the tricklists. If you land most of a list without trouble, go one level up. If you have been on the podium of a higher level at a kendama contest in the last 12 months, you cannot enter a lower one. Pro Open is open to every player.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets are coming soon. Sign-up and payment will open on this page. Follow @ajk.romania, @theandreibogdan and @vlasekindafunny_ to know the moment they go live.
Who can compete?
Any player, from any country and of any age. Players under 18 need the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and players under 14 must have an adult with them at the venue.
What are the prizes?
$6,800 in cash prizes plus tons of kendamas. Pro Open, Game of Ken and Freestyle pay $1,000, $500 and $300. Advanced pays $500, $300 and $150 plus kendamas, Intermediate pays $300, $100 and $50 plus kendamas, and Beginners play for tons of kendamas.
Do I need to bring my own kendama?
Yes. Bring your kendama, a spare string and, if you have one, a backup kendama. Any brand and any standard size is fine.
How do I get to Bucharest and where can I stay?
See the travel and accommodation guide: flights from every region, the airport train and bus, hotels for every budget and a map.
My brand wants to support RKO. Who do I talk to?
Write to office@asociatiakendama.ro. The options are on the partners page.