How to Set Up a Telegram Group

Telegram is a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app with a focus on security and speed. You can use Telegram on all your devices at the same time — the messages sync seamlessly across any number of your phones, tablets or computers.
With Telegram, we can send messages, photos, videos and files of any type (doc, zip, mp3, etc). To do so, we (you) create a public Telegram group anyone can join (up to 200,000 people). As a result, Telegram is like SMS and email combined — and can take care of all your event's messaging needs.
The first step is to download the Telegram app to your device if you haven't already installed it. You'll of course need to sign up for Telegram services if you haven't done so.
Once you have Telegram installed and you have an account, you need to set up a Telegram Group for your event.
  • iOS: Start a new message (tap the icon in the top right corner in Chats) > 'New Group'.
  • Android: Tap the circular pencil icon in the chat list > 'New Group'.
Once you have started to create a new Group, click on 'Add People'.
Then enter 'racingrules' in the search box and select the RacingRulesOfSailing bot and add it to your group.
When you are requested to enter the name of the group, use the name of your regatta. Compeititors will then be able to search for that group on Telegram and find it easily. However, keep it simple and short. When creating a group name it is more important to include words relevant to a search than trying to put in a long name with few key words.
Once you have saved your new group, you will get message from RacingRulesOfSailing indicating you have successfully added the bot to your group. The message also reminds you to message the RacingRulesOfSailing bot the Event ID of your event RacingRulesOfSailing.org.
You'll find the ID for your event in the URL at the top your web browser. Note that you must have already enabled Telegram on RacingRulesOfSailing.org. If you have not done so, edit your event and select Telegram in the Publish Notifictions section.
To message the RacingRulesOfSailing bot, enter:
'racingrulesofsailing event#XXXX' where the XXXX is your event ID (eg: event#3008).
Note that it capitalization does not matter. The bot is case insensitive. But, do not add spaces to the key words. RacingRulesOfSailing and Event#0000 must not have any spaces in the words.
If you've messaged the Event ID properly, you will get a confirmation from the RacingRulesOfSailing bot. Note, if you set the permissions to limit what members of the group can submit as a message, you must make the RacingRulesOfSailing bot an admin of the group, so that it can send text messages.
You must now make the group public. It will normally be created as a private group which no one can join unless invited. However, you want the competitors to be able to join the group at any time.
For Android
  • Open your group.
  • Tap on your group name which is at the top.
  • Tap on the pencil icon which you can find on the upper right corner.
  • Tap on Group Type halfway down the screen.
  • Select Public Group.
  • While on this screen, make a Public Link.
  • In the Public Link field, enter a short name of your event with no spaces. (eg: 't.me/genova_sailing_week')
  • Finally, make sure you tap on check mark icon in the upper right corner to save your changes.
For iPhone
  • Open your group.
  • Tap on your group name which is at the top.
  • Tap on the Edit option from the upper right corner.
  • Choose the Group Type option.
  • Select Public Group
  • While on this screen, make a Public Link.
  • In the Public Link field, enter a short name of your event with no spaces. (eg: 't.me/genova_sailing_week')
  • Once completed, tap on Done.
You can add administrators to help you manage your group and define their privileges with granular precision.
  • iOS: Go to Group Info (tap the photo in the top right corner on the group‘s chat screen) > Edit > Administrators.
  • Android: Go to Group Info (tap the name in the header) > the pencil icon (in the top right corner) > Administrators.
  • Telegram Desktop: When in the group, click '…' in the top right corner > Manage group > Administrators.
Anyone who has Telegram installed will be able to join your group by following the Public Link or searching for the Group.
To specifically add competitors or officials to your group, add them from your contacts, or use search by username.
Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more