Rules and Leagues

Participation in the tournament is open to women’s teams, as well as girls’ teams in the B18, C15, C14, D13, D12, E11, E10, F9, F8, and F7 age categories from clubs affiliated with FIFA member associations. Special needs football teams are also eligible to participate. Clubs can register multiple teams in each age category.

In the tournament, only players who represent the respective club are allowed to play. A player can only represent one club in the tournament and play in only one team of the same age group as their club. However, one additional player from the younger age group of the same club participating in the tournament can be added to the team. Permission must be obtained in advance from the tournament organizer via email. The player must also be listed on the team’s player roster before the start of the tournament.

In the 14-17 recreational age group, players who participate in other leagues in Stadi Cup are not allowed.

In the women’s general series, players who normally play in the fifth (5th) division are not generally allowed. However, Stadi Cup may, at its discretion, grant permission for two (2) players from the fifth (5th) division to participate in the tournament. The application must be submitted well in advance of the tournament to info(at)stadicup.fi.

In the women’s level series, players are allowed up to the third (3rd) division.

Stadi Cup does not grant over-age permits. (Over-age permits issued by the Finnish Football Association are acceptable. Proof of this must be presented upon request.)

The main principle is to find teams of the right level for individual players and not to strengthen teams. In Stadi Cup, a maximum of two (2) over-age players are generally allowed in a team. If a team wants more than two (2) over-age players in their team, permission must be obtained in advance via email to info(at)stadicup.fi. Stadi Cup makes decisions about over-age players in the tournament according to the principles of the Football Association.

Over-age control is strict, and birth dates are clearly marked on player lists for other teams to see.

A maximum of two (2) over-age players are allowed to represent a team in the final.

A player can participate in only one final in the tournament.

If there are not enough players in the team’s own club, the team can be supplemented with players from other clubs. However, the team must be named before the first game, and each player must have a valid license.

The player list cannot be supplemented after the start of the team’s tournament.

B18 ja Womens	1.1.2004 and players born after that
14-17 hobby	1.1.2007-31.12.2010
C15	1.1.2009 and players born after that
C14	1.1.2010 and players born after that
D13	1.1.2011 and players born after that
D12	1.1.2012 and players born after that
E11	1.1.2013 and players born after that
E10	1.1.2014 and players born after that
F9	1.1.2015 and players born after that
F8	1.1.2016 and players born after that
F7	1.1.2017 and players born after that

The playing format for each age group will be announced in more detail once the number of teams is confirmed. From each group stage, teams can advance to the finals based on their standings.

In the F7-F9 categories, teams will be grouped based on their level of experience. The game days for these categories are Thursday to Saturday. There are no separate playoffs.

In the E10-C15 age groups, teams can register for either the competitive or general series. Each series will have its own finals.

For the 14-17 (2006-2009) recreational age group, the groupings will be determined based on the registered teams and their number. This is a non-competitive series where finals are not played.

In the B18 age group, teams can participate in either the general or level group (Elite). From the level group (Elite), multiple teams will advance to the A-series playoffs.

In the women’s categories, the playing format is 7 vs 7 without offsides.

In the group stage, if teams have an equal number of points, the following criteria will be used to determine the order:

1. Points from matches played against each other.
2. Goal difference from matches played against each other.
3. Number of goals scored in matches played against each other.
4. Overall goal difference in the entire group.
5. If the rankings are still tied after steps 1-4 for one or more teams, the order will be determined by their matches against each other.
6. Total number of goals scored in the entire group.
7. Drawing lots.

In the knockout stage (after the group stage), if a match ends in a draw, the winner will be determined directly through a penalty shootout (no extra time). The penalty shootout will be conducted according to FIFA and SPL regulations, with either five players (for 11v11 format) or three players (for 8v8 format) taking the penalties.

When the penalty shootout begins, the required number of players (as per the rules) from the participating players (listed on the team roster) will be selected to take the penalties at the center circle. It is allowed to substitute the goalkeeper with one of the selected players in the center circle.

The competition is played according to the game rules approved by FIFA, the SPL, and Stadi Cup ry. The “Kaikki Pelaa” rules apply in the tournament.

Three (3) points are awarded for a win, and one (1) point for a draw.

There is no limit to the number of substitute players, and interchange substitutions are allowed. Substitutions must be made from in front of one’s own bench. A player must leave the field before a new player enters. The team can use all players listed on the roster.

Matches are played on grass and artificial turf fields. In case of heavy rain, matches may have to be played on alternative fields instead of grass fields. Teams should check with the tournament office in advance if matches need to be moved to alternative fields due to weather conditions.

In the F7 age group, opponents must retreat to their own half during goal kicks, and they can only move once the ball is in play.

In the F7-F9 age groups, goal kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins are taken by dribbling. A goal cannot be scored directly from a corner or throw-in.

In the F7-E11 age groups, a team may add an additional player on the field if they are trailing by at least five (5) goals. This advantage is lost if the difference decreases to two (2) goals.

In the F7-D13 age groups, goal kicks can be taken from any point inside the penalty area.

In the 14-17 recreational age group, a team may add an additional player on the field if they are trailing by at least five (5) goals. After this, if the goal difference increases to eight (8) goals, the losing team can add another player on the field. No more new players can be added to the field. When the goal difference decreases to five (5), one additional player must leave the field. When the goal difference decreases to three (3), another additional player must leave the field, and the game continues on equal terms.

In the women’s and 14-17 recreational age groups, goal kicks and goalkeeper releases (with the foot/hands) cannot cross the halfway line without the ball touching the playing field or a player before the halfway line.

In the E10-B18 age groups, the offside rule applies, but in the E10-E11 and 14-17 recreational age groups, the offside line is placed at the edge of the penalty area.

You can find the rest of the rules in the table “Summary of Game Rules” below.

All referees and match officials are approved by the Finnish Football Association (Suomen Palloliitto). In the finals and semifinals, there are three referees officiating the matches.

If these rules are violated or if any other disputes arise related to the competition, a protest can be made. The protest must be submitted in writing to the competition office within two (2) hours of the match’s completion. The protest must be carefully justified, and a protest fee of 100 euros must be paid. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded. The competition jury reserves the right to, if necessary, modify the outcome of the match when accepting the protest. Protests regarding the playing field or equipment will not be examined unless a prior notification has been made to the referee before the match. If a protest is made against the referee’s decision, it must be immediately communicated to the referee at the end of the match, before the referee leaves the match venue.

If a team fails to arrive for a match at least five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start time, or if the team arrives with an insufficient number of players (less than 7 players for Women’s, B, and C age groups, less than 6 players for D and E age groups), or if the team is late without presenting a valid reason, the team that arrived on time shall be declared the winner. The team that forfeited may be disqualified from the competition, and any matches played by the team may be nullified.

If a team is found to have used overage players in matches without the organizer’s permission or if a team/player behaves extremely unsportingly during the competition, the tournament jury will impose penalties on the team/player in accordance with the Finnish Football Association’s disciplinary rules. The organizers have the right to verify the player’s identity. Being sent off from the field always results in a minimum one-match suspension. The suspension must be served in the age category where the player received it. During the suspension, the player is also not allowed to represent their club in other age categories. Cautions are not recorded in the tournament.

All winning teams will receive a winner’s trophy. Finalists will receive Stadi Cup medals, with 20 medals per team. In the F7-F9 age category, all participants will receive participation medals, with 20 medals per team. All participants will receive Stadi Cup diplomas. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each age category’s final will receive a special prize. The tournament also awards the Paavo Einiö Foundation’s prize and scholarship.

In special football teams, the top two teams in each group will be recognized (group assignments must be known to the organizers well in advance). The winning team will receive a trophy and gold medals, and the runner-up team will receive silver medals.

The Stadi Cup organizing committee appoints the competition jury. The jury will consist of 3-5 members. The decisions of the competition jury are final and cannot be appealed.

A) The team is required to submit their player roster in advance to the competition office, no later than one hour before the first match. The roster should include the players’ names, dates of birth, numbering, as well as the contact information of the team’s representative.

B) The teams must be ready to play in the immediate vicinity of the playing field at least 15 minutes before the start of the match.

C) If both teams have jerseys of the same color, the team mentioned last in the schedule must change their jersey. The goalkeeper’s jersey should be clearly distinguishable from the other jerseys (including the opposing team’s goalkeeper jersey).

In the F7-F9 age group, teams are divided into groups based on their level of play, with separate game days scheduled from Thursday to Saturday. There are no separate playoff games. In this age group, a maximum of four (4) games per day are played.

In the F7-F9 age group, goal kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins are taken by dribbling. Direct shots on goal from corner and throw-ins are not allowed on the first touch.

In the F7-F9 age group, a team is allowed to field one additional player when the opponent leads by at least five (5) goals. This advantage is lost when the lead decreases to two (2) goals.

You can find the remaining rules in the table “Summary of Rules” below.

In the E10-C15 age group, teams can register for either the level or general series. Each series has its own finals. In the E10-D13 age group, a player can play a maximum of four (4) games per day, while in the C14-15 age group, they can play three (3) games per day.

In the E10-E11 age group, a team can field one additional player when the opponent leads by at least five (5) goals. This advantage is lost when the lead decreases to two (2) goals.

In the E10-D13 age group, goal kicks can be taken from any point inside the penalty area.

In the E10-C15 age group, the offside rule is enforced, but in the E10-E11 age group, the offside line is placed at the edge of the penalty area.

In the E10-E11 hobby serie, the same rules as in the E10 general league are followed. This is a non-competitive league with no placement or final matches played.

In the D12-D13 hobby serie, the same rules as in the D12 general league are followed. This is a non-competitive league with no placement or final matches played.

You can find the remaining rules in the table “Summary of Rules” below.

In the B18 age group, you can participate in either the recreational or competitive level (Elite). In the competitive level (Elite), multiple teams will advance to the A-level playoffs.

In the B18 age group, a player is allowed to participate in a maximum of three (3) games per day.

The offside rule is in effect in the B18 age group.

You can find the remaining game rules for the B18 age group in the table titled “Summary of Game Rules” below.

In the hobby 14-17 age group, teams are organized into groups based on the number of registered teams. This is a non-competitive series without finals, where each player can play a maximum of 3 games per day.

Players participating in other series in Stadi Cup are not allowed in this series.

In the hobby 14-17 age group, a team can field one additional player when the opponent leads by at least five (5) goals. Subsequently, if the goal difference increases to 8 goals, the losing team can add another player to the field. No more new players can be added after this. When the goal difference decreases to five (5), the second additional player must leave the field. When the goal difference decreases to three (3), the second additional player must leave the field, and the game continues on equal terms.

In the hobby 14-17 age group, goal kicks and goalkeeper distribution (with foot/hand) must not cross the halfway line without touching the playing field or a player before the halfway line.

The offside rule is observed in the 14-17 recreational age group, but the offside line is placed at the edge of the penalty area.

You can find the remaining rules in the table “Summary of Rules” below.

In the women’s general series, players who participate in divisional play are generally not allowed. However, Stadi Cup may, at its discretion, grant playing permits to two (2) players from the fifth (5th) division. Applications must be submitted well in advance of the tournament to info(at)stadicup.fi.

In the women’s level series, players are allowed up to the third (3rd) division.
The rule was clarified on April 10: Players participating in the T18 Finnish Championship series and Division One are not allowed to represent teams in the women’s level or general series.

For exemption requests, the team must contact info(at)stadicup.fi well in advance of the tournament.

In the women’s age group, teams can register for either the level or general series. Each series has its own finals.

In the women’s age group, goal kicks and goalkeeper distribution (with foot/hand) must not cross the halfway line without touching the playing field or a player before the halfway line.

The playing format in women’s series is 7 vs 7 without offsides.

You can find the remaining rules in the table “Summary of Rules” below.