CIPS Global Betta Championship 2026 – Registration Now Open!

 The 30th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2026) will be held at China Import and Export Fair Complex (hereinafter referred to as Canton Fair Complex) in Guangzhou from November 12 to 15, 2026. Co-organized by CIPS and the Small Ornamental Fish & Shrimp Branch of China Fisheries Association, it brings together elite competitors for a world-class betta contest.

 Driven by passion, united by competition. This premier arena for betta enthusiasts gathers hobbyists from across the globe for an epic underwater showdown, where every fish competes for top honors under professional international judges.

 A Thousand Years of Betta Legacy: From Rice Pits to Global Beauty Pageants

 Wild betta splendens originate from slow, oxygen-poor tropical freshwater habitats across Southeast Asia, including rice paddies, marshes and ditches. To survive these harsh environments, bettas evolved labyrinth organs that enable them to breathe atmospheric air, allowing them to thrive where other fish cannot survive.

 Their domestication dates back 1,000 years to the ancient Siamese Kingdom, vastly different from the ornate show bettas we admire today. Local villagers first captured these territorial fish for fighting entertainment. By the 19th century, Thai nobility began selective breeding to amplify vibrant coloration and elaborate finnage, creating the iconic tradition of betta beauty contests.

 Today, bettas have become a worldwide aquatic sensation. Their dramatic fin flares, opercular displays and striking silhouettes shine vividly in close-up slow-motion footage, making them viral stars across social media. Competitive betta shows are already a cultural staple in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and other Southeast Asian nations, uniting traditional ornamental fish heritage and modern aquarium industry vitality.

Competition Divisions for All Participants

 The 2026 CIPS Global Betta Championship features 5 core divisions subdivided into 30 color subcategories, all judged under official International Betta Congress (IBC) standards.

 1. Division A: Longfin Singletail HM

7 color subclasses: Solid, Bi-Color, Multi-Color, Metallic, etc.

Judging focuses on overall proportion, full 180° caudal spread, fin symmetry and compliance with official IBC color standards.

 2. Division B: Doubletail

5 color subclasses: Solid, Bi-Color, Multi-Color, Metallic, etc.

Judges evaluate body form, tail spread, balanced dual caudal lobes and official IBC color specifications.

 3. Division C: Crowntaill

5 color subclasses: Solid, Bi-Color, Black Orchid, Metallic, Multi-Color Scoring prioritizes dorsal ray count, reduced webbing between spiky rays and adherence to IBC color rules.

 4. Division D: Shortfin Singletail

10 color subclasses: Solid, Bi-Color, Butterfly, Pineapple, Marble, Candy, Metallic, Multi-Color & Others

The most popular, fiercely competitive division. Judges assess balanced tri-fin proportions, color clarity and contrast per IBC guidelines.

 5. Divison E: Giant Shortfin Singletail (Min 6 cm Body)

3 color subclasses: Solid, Bi-Color, Multi-Color

Key judging criteria include overall body size, full opercular flare capacity and proportional tri-fins, aligned with IBC color standards.

Official Judging Standards by the International Betta Congress (IBC)

This championship strictly adopts the official 2022–2023 IBC judging framework, which uses a point-deduction scoring system to deliver fully objective, unbiased evaluation. Subjective point-addition formats are rejected to guarantee complete tournament fairness.

 Contestants may contact registration coordinators to obtain the full official IBC rulebook upon request.

 Tournament Scale, Judges & Prize Pool

 - 5 main divisions, 30 subcategories total

 Panel of elite IBC-certified international judges

All competition points count toward official IBC global rankings

Exclusive networking opportunities with world-renowned betta judges

 - Total cash prize pool: ¥8,000 RMB

- Trophies awarded to 1 champion per main division (5 total)

- Gold, Silver & Bronze trophies for top 3 finishers in all 30 subcategories

Registration Guide

1. Scan the dedicated QR code to submit your entry form

2. Scan the secondary contact QR code to complete payment

 Registration Fee: ¥30 RMB per fish entry

Entry confirmation is only valid upon full payment. All fish shall be submitted onsite during the exhibition period.

 Registration closes October 31.

Watch your betta unfurl its magnificent fins under the spotlight and stand cheered by crowds! Don’t miss your chance to make history – sign up today!