An event or competition where people are specifically asked or invited to participate, rather than open to anyone.
From 'invitation' (from Latin 'invitare' meaning 'to invite') plus the suffix '-al' (of or relating to). The term became common in sports in the early 20th century.
Invitational tournaments are so prestigious in sports that winning one can mean more than winning a larger open event—because the organizers carefully curate the best competitors, making victory against elite invitees worth more points and respect!
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