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 have representation rights in the respective club are allowed to play. A player can represent only one club in the tournament and play in only one team of the same age group within their club. However, one additional player from a younger age group of the same club can be registered for the tournament. Prior permission must be requested from the tournament organizer via email. The player must also be listed on the team’s player roster before the start of the tournament. The player roster cannot be updated after the start of the tournament. Players in quarantine are not allowed to participate in the tournament.

Stadi Cup does not grant overage permits. (Overage permits issued by Finnish Football Association districts are accepted. Proof of this must be presented upon request.)

The main principle is to find suitable teams for individual players rather than providing reinforcements for teams. In Stadi Cup’s level and general series, teams are initially allowed to have two (2) overage players. If a team wishes to have more than two (2) overage players, prior permission must be requested via email to info(at)stadicup.fi. Stadi Cup will make decisions regarding overage players in accordance with the principles of the Finnish Football Association’s rules.

The control of overage players is strict, and birth dates must be clearly marked on the player rosters for other teams to see. Any misuse will be promptly addressed through point deductions or disqualification, and the official tournament jury will make the decisions.

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

If a team does not have enough players within their own club, they can supplement the team with players from other clubs. However, the team must be named before the first match, and each player must have a valid license.

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 approved rules and regulations of FIFA, the Finnish Football Association (SPL), and Stadi Cup ry.

Points system:

• Three (3) points for a win
• One (1) point for a draw

Number of players and substitutes:

• Women and 14-17 hobby level: 7 players
• B18, C15, and C14: 11 players
• D13, D12, E11, and E10: 8 players
• F9, F8, and F7: 5 players

There are no restrictions on the number of substitutes, and interchange of players is allowed. A player must leave the field before a new player enters. All players listed on the team roster can be used.

Matches are played on grass and artificial turf fields. In case of heavy rain, matches may be played on backup fields (sand fields). Teams should confirm with the competition office well in advance if the match will be played on a backup field due to worsening weather conditions.

Field dimensions (approximately):

• B18-C14: 90×50 meters
• Women, 14-17 hobby level, and D13-E10: 60×40 meters
• F7-F9: 40×30 meters

Ball size:

• Women, B18-C14: Size 5
• D13-E10: Size 4
• F7-F9: Size 3

In D12-F9 matches, a goal kick can be taken from any point inside the penalty area.

In F7/8 matches, a goal throw-in is taken from inside the penalty area. In the F7 age group, opponents must retreat to their own half during the goal kick/throw-in until the ball is kicked or released by the goalkeeper.

In the F7/8 age group, instead of a throw-in, the ball is put back into play by a kick or dribble from the sideline. A goal cannot be scored directly from a sideline kick. In the F9 age group, throw-ins are used.

In the F7-F9 age group, a team can bring on one additional player when the opponent leads by at least five (5) goals. The advantage is lost when the goal difference reduces to two (2) goals.

In the 14-17 hobby level, a team can bring on one additional player when the opponent leads by at least five (5) goals. If the goal difference increases to eight (8) goals, the trailing team can add a second player. No more new players can be added after this. When the goal difference reduces to five (5), the second additional player must leave the field. When the goal difference reduces to three (3), the second additional player must also leave the field, and the game continues with equal numbers. The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or throw the ball over the halfway line.

In women’s leagues (general and competitive), the goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or throw the ball over the halfway line.

The offside rule is followed in all age groups except F7, F8, F9, and women’s leagues. In E10-E11 and 14-17 hobby level, the offside line is located at the edge of the penalty area.

In all age groups, normal corner kicks are taken.

In D13-F7 and 14-17 hobby level matches, opponents must be at least 5.5 meters away from the ball during free kicks, corner kicks, penalty kicks, and goal kicks. In 11 vs 11 matches, the distance is 9.15 meters.

For more detailed rules, please refer to the “Summary of Game Rules” table provided

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).

1. Team Placement: Teams will be placed in groups based on their level of experience. There will be separate groups for teams with less playing experience and those with more playing experience.
2. Game Days: The matches for each age group will be scheduled from Thursday to Saturday. Games will be distributed across all three days, and there won’t be separate playoff matches.
3. Maximum Number of Games: In each age group, teams are allowed to play a maximum of four (4) games per day.
4. Modified Rules for F7/8 and F9 Age Groups: In the F7/8 age group, instead of throw-ins, the ball will be returned to play by a kick or dribble. A goal cannot be scored directly from a return to play. In the F9 age group, throw-ins will be used.
5. Additional Player in F7-F9 Age Groups: In the F7-F9 age groups, a team trailing by at least five (5) goals can add one additional player to the field. This advantage is lost when the goal difference reduces to two (2) goals.

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

In the E10-C15 age groups, teams can register for either the competitive or recreational level. There will be separate finals for each level.

For the E10-C15 age groups, the offside rule is in effect. In the E-age group, the offside line is positioned at the edge of the penalty area.

In the E10-D13 age groups, a player is allowed to participate in a maximum of four (4) games per day. In the C-age group, the maximum is three (3) games.

You can find a summary of the game rules for each age group in the table titled “Summary of Game 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.

The team divisions are determined based on the number of registered teams.

In the 14-17 recreational series, a player is allowed to participate in a maximum of 3 games per day.

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

The player list can include a maximum of 15 names.

The game format is 7 vs 7.

The offside rule is in effect, with the offside line positioned at the edge of the penalty area.

This is a “non-competitive” series, which means there are no finals or placement matches played.

The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or throw the ball over the halfway line.

You can find the remaining game rules for the 14-17 age group in the table titled “Summary of Game Rules” below.

In women’s series, the game format is 7 vs 7 without offside rule.

The goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or throw the ball over the halfway line.

In the women’s recreational series, players who are playing in a 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 competitive series, players are allowed up to the third (3rd) division.

You can find the remaining game rules for the women’s series in the table titled “Summary of Game Rules” below.