the main round. Among the 32 players/pairs, only eight players/pair would be seeded in each event. Each event had 28 highest-ranked players/pairs in World Ranking and four qualifiers. Prior to September 2008, 32 players/pairs were able to participate in qualifying rounds. Since then, only up to 16 players/pairs were allowed to participate in qualifying rounds, where four highest-ranked players/pairs in World Ranking would be seeded. This change was to avoid a big strain between the qualifiers and the main events. Each Super Series tournament were held in six days, with the main round in five days. Player commitment regulations Starting in 2011, top ten players/pairs of each discipline in the World Ranking were required to play in all Super Series Premier tournaments and a minimum of four Super Series tournaments occurring in the full calendar year. Players who qualified for Super Series Finals were obliged to play. A fine and above the normal withdrawal fees would be imposed upon players/pairs who fail to play. Exemption from penalty would be considered by BWF on receipt of a valid medical certificate or strong evidence that prove players unfit to participate. However, retired or suspended players were not subject to these regulations. Umpires In 2007 season, each tournament hosts were allowed to present local umpires. However, after the outcry of several players during the tournaments, each Super Series tournaments must present eight international certificated and accredited umpires. Recent regulations state that at least six umpires must be from member associations other than the host member association, at least four BWF and two continental certificated umpires with well spread nationality. Tournaments In every three years, the BWF Council would review the countries that host a Super Series Premier and Super Series tournament. In history, 14 tournaments in 13 countries hosted at least a season of the series. China was the sole country to host the series twice in a season from the year of 2007–2013. Starting in 2014 season, Australia hosted a Super Series tournament. BWF Super Series Finals At the end of the Super Series circuit, top eight players/pairs in the Super Series standing of each discipline, with the maximum of two players/pairs from the same member association, were required to play in a final tournament known as the Super Series Finals. It offered minimum total prize money of USD500,000. If two or more players were tied in ranking, the selection of players