# Overview ## Authentication You must provide authentication using an API token for all requests. While some endpoints may respond without authentication, you should always include it to avoid having your IP address blocked. To authenticate, [generate an API token](https://app.matchplay.events/account/tokens) and provide it using an `Authorization` header: ```http Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN ``` Replacing `YOUR_API_TOKEN` with your API token. It is important to include your API token in all requests made to the Match Play API. If you do not include your API token and there is a problem with the way you interact with the API the consequence will be that your IP address will be blocked. ## Rate limits The Match Play sets generous rate limits (generally 120 requests/min) with the understanding that API users will do their best to avoid causing needless load on the servers. The two best ways to avoid needless load are: 1. Avoid re-fetching the same data over and over. Most data in Match Play will not change. Tournament results do not change once recorded, for example. If you have fetched the data once, store it and avoid fetching it again. 2. If your app serves many users, fetch data once on behalf of all users. If two users on your platform both need the same data from Match Play, fetch it once and serve the data from your backend subsequently. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.matchplay.events/api.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.