Rules

GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS 

Team Qualification Rules

1. All 8 teams will play a total of 12 games during the group stage. The fixtures will be determined during the random drawings held on 24th June.

2. The 4 semi-finalists will be determined by: the top 2 group winners. In the event 2 teams are tied on points, the following tiebreakers will be used:

  • Goal differential (goals for/against).
  • If still tied, the next tiebreaker shall be the most goals scored.
  • If still tied, the next tiebreaker shall be the least goals allowed.
  • If still tied, whichever team has the better head-to-head result.
  • If still tied, the next tiebreaker shall be based on disciplinary records (i.e., red/yellow cards).
  • If still tied, the final tiebreaker shall be by a coin toss.

Team/Player Registration Process

1. The maximum number of players that can be rostered on a Team is 25 players. However, teams are allowed to register above the limit. Please note that only a maximum of 25 medals will be awarded to the Tournament Champion.

2. Team Roster Closure – Team roster submission will be due on 29th June. 

3. All players are required to follow the formal registration process and fill out the electronic form. By registering for the Tournament, the players agree to comply with all Tournament rules, liability waivers, and release clauses.

4. Rostered players will be allowed to participate in the tournament.. Please note the following:

  • The check-in process will begin on Thursday evening (4th July) at the hotel. The organizers will also be available to check in players the following morning (before 9:00 am).
  • Any form of ID is allowed – So long as the name on the online form matches the ID and there’s a picture to identify the player.

5. The Coach/Team captain is expected to ensure all the participating players are properly rostered on the online form, checked in, and ensure consistent use of jersey numbers throughout the tournament. This is essential for tracking and identifying players during the Tournament.

6. Players can be asked at any time to identify themselves by any member of the organizing committee. Failure to do so will result in an automatic ban and/or sanctions for the team.

Registration Violations

1. Any team who adds an ineligible player (i.e., a player not properly registered/rostered or ID’d) will automatically forfeit the game by a 3-0 loss during the group stage or be eliminated if the infraction occurs during the knockout stage.

2. If this is discovered during the finals, the other team will automatically be awarded as the winner, and the prizes are expected to be refunded/returned to the organizers. In turn, the organizers will subsequently award the prizes to the other competing team.

3. In addition to the above, the team will be required to pay a fine of $300 within a week of the tournament’s end date or risk getting banned from future tournaments.

Game Duration

1. Round-Robin group games are 30 minutes per half, with 10 minutes for half-time.

2. Semi-final games are 40 minutes per half, with 10 minutes for half-time. The finals will be 40 minutes per half.

  • If two teams are tied during the semi-final stage, the winner will be determined by penalty kicks (best of 5 PKs followed by sudden death PK, if necessary).
  • If two teams are tied during finals, extra time of 15 straight minutes will be played.
  • If the two teams remain tied, the winner will be determined by penalty kicks (best of 5 PKs, followed by sudden death PK, if necessary)

3. All games are expected to kick off on time.

4. When either/both teams who are scheduled to play forfeit the game (e.g., due to absenteeism or insufficient players), the result of the game shall be recorded as a loss for either/both teams.

5. For a game to commence, each team needs to field at least 7 players.

6. Failure to start a game within 15 minutes of the scheduled kick-off time will result in the cancellation of the game. The Team responsible for cancellation will be deemed to have forfeited the game by a 3-0 score line.

7. Once a game kicks off and the game is declared a forfeit due to fault(s) from a particular team, the score shall be 3-0 or the actual score, whichever is more advantageous to the other team.

8. Once a player plays with a particular team, the player is locked into that team and is not allowed to play with any other team for the rest of the tournament – including the knockout and final stage.

9. Every team is responsible for the conduct of its players, team officials, and fans. Participating Teams are required to take all necessary precautions to prevent their players, affiliates, team officials, or fans from threatening or assaulting game officials, team officials, and players during or after each game.

Players & Substitutions

1. Unlimited substitutes may be permitted for any game, up to the amount on the team’s roster.

2. Any substituted player may return to play.

3. No substitutes shall be permitted for ejected players. Ejected players are expected to leave the field.

4. Players not participating in the game must remain in a confined area so as not to confuse the referee(s). The referee may stop the game if teams do not comply with this rule.

Uniforms

1. All teams should bring at least 2 different sets of jerseys in the event of a color clash.

2. Except for the goalkeeper, who shall wear contrasting colors, all players on a team shall wear the same shirt, shorts, and socks.

3. Shin guards and soccer cleats are mandatory.

4. Every player is expected to use the same jersey number throughout the Tournament.

5. When the colors of two competing teams are similar, the two coaches need to decide which team will switch colors. A temporary bib could be worn to distinguish the teams if there are no alternate jersey colors.

6. The referee is empowered to prevent a player from participating unless his uniform and equipment is the same as his/her other team members and meet the conditions above.

Referee Compliance

1. The referees’ authority begins upon their arrival at the field until they leave the area of play.

2. Referees shall have discretionary power to stop the game for any infringement of the laws and to suspend or terminate the game due to adverse weather, interference by spectators, or any other cause which is reasonable and justified as necessary.

3. All forms of dissent and aggressive behavior by any player, spectator, or fan toward a referee will not be tolerated under any circumstance. The referee reserves the right to call off the game, and any/all offenders will be punishable by the expulsion of the player and/or team.

4. Referees are required to send the match report immediately after the game so they can be immediately recorded and tracked.

Other Violations

1. A red card (ejection) results in an automatic one-game suspension. If warranted, the organizers may rule on additional game suspensions.

2. A payment of $100 can be paid to waive the game missed.

3. Fighting or any form of assault on another player, team official, fan, or referee shall result in expulsion. Such instances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and a final decision will be made by the Organizers.

4. Any team or player identified wearing another jersey number will be immediately awarded a red card.

5. CLEANLINESS OF THE FIELD – All teams are expected clean up all forms of trash before leaving the field.

6. NO ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES ON THE PREMISES – Alcohol or consumption of any kind of narcotic is strictly not allowed on any location the games are held. The organizers and the referee will be required to call law enforcement if these rules are violated.

7. GUNS, KNIVES, OR ANY KIND OF WEAPON which can cause bodily harm to others are not allowed on any of the locations where the games are held. The organizers and the referee will be required to call law enforcement if these rules are violated.