Official Tournament Rules

Roster Size: Each team must register a minimum of 7 and maximum of 10 players. All players must be listed on the official roster before Day 1 begins.

Field Players: 7 players on the field per team at one time (6 outfield + 1 goalkeeper). A team may not play with fewer than 6 players except as specified under disciplinary rules.

Jerseys: All players must wear their assigned team jersey during every match. Jerseys are included in the entry fee and are kept by the players at the end of the tournament.

Guest Players: Guest or substitute players are not permitted at any stage of the tournament. Only players listed on the registered roster may participate.

Team Lock: Once registered, a player is locked to their team for the entire tournament. The team assignment made on Day 1 is final and may not be changed under any circumstances.

No player may compete for more than one team at any point during the tournament.

Substitutions: Rolling substitutions are permitted. Teams may substitute any number of players at any time during a stoppage, with referee acknowledgment. Substituted players may return to the field later in the same match.

Check-In Deadline: All players must check in with tournament officials no later than 9:45 AM on Day 1 and 10:45 AM on Day 2. Players who have not checked in by the deadline may not participate in that day's matches.

Age Requirement: All players must be at least 16 years of age to compete. Players under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their liability waiver.

Team Captain: Each team must designate a captain before the tournament begins. The captain is the official point of contact between the team and tournament organizers. It is the captain's responsibility to receive and relay all tournament communications, scheduling updates, and rule information to their teammates.

Registration Deadline & Deposit: Teams must register no later than 30 days before the tournament with a minimum of 7 players. A non-refundable deposit of $750 per team is required at the time of registration to secure a spot. The entry fee is a flat $1,500 regardless of roster size — teams registering with fewer than 10 players still pay the full amount.

Payment Deadline & Refund Policy: The remaining balance of the entry fee must be paid in full no later than 2 weeks before the tournament. No refunds will be issued after this deadline. Teams that have not completed payment by the deadline forfeit their registration and their spot may be offered to a waitlisted team.

Match Duration: All group stage matches consist of two 20-minute halves (40 minutes total) with a 5-minute halftime break and a 5-minute changeover between games. Teams must be on the field and ready to play at their scheduled kickoff time. The field is split into two half-fields for group play, with Group A and Group B running simultaneously.

No Slide Tackles: Slide tackles are strictly prohibited in all matches. Any slide tackle results in an automatic yellow card and a penalty kick awarded to the opposing team.

There are no exceptions to this rule. Intent is not a factor; the action itself triggers the sanction.

Pool Play Ties: If a group-stage match ends level after regulation, the result stands as a draw. No extra time or penalty shootout is played in pool play. Both teams receive 1 point.

Knockout Stage Duration: Semifinal and Final matches consist of two 30-minute halves (60 minutes total) with a 5-minute halftime. If still level after regulation, a 10-minute golden goal period is played. If still level, a penalty shootout determines the winner.

No Third-Place Match: There is no third-place playoff. The two semifinal losers each receive runner-up recognition but no match is played between them.

No Offside: There is no offside rule in effect at any stage of this tournament.

Throw-ins: Standard FIFA throw-in rules apply. When the ball crosses a touchline, the opposing team restarts with a two-handed overhead throw-in from the point where the ball left the field.

Match Ball: A size 5 ball will be provided by the tournament for all matches. Teams may not substitute their own ball without referee approval.

Goalkeeper Handling: Goalkeepers may only handle the ball within their own penalty area. Using hands outside the box results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the point of the infringement.

Penalty Shootout Format: Each team takes 7 kicks. If scores are level after all 7, the shootout continues in sudden death until one team scores and the other does not on the same round.

Each player on the active roster must kick before any player may take a second kick.

Score Recording: The official score is recorded by the referee and tournament stat keepers. Any discrepancy must be raised with tournament staff immediately after the match; scores may not be disputed after the next match in that group has begun.

Fighting: Any player who engages in fighting (any intentional physical altercation with another player, coach, or official) is immediately banned for the remainder of that tournament day. Their team must continue all remaining matches of that day with only 6 players on the field.

Yellow Cards: Two yellow cards in a single match results in a send-off for that match. A yellow card carries across pool-play matches; two yellows in separate games results in a one-match suspension.

Red Cards: A direct red card results in immediate ejection from the match. The offending player may not be replaced; their team plays down one player for the remainder of that match.

Respect Policy: Disrespectful behavior toward referees, staff, or other players will not be tolerated and may result in additional sanctions at the tournament director's discretion.

Right to Remove: The Dr. Deborah Salmon Foundation and tournament officials reserve the right to eject or ban any player, coach, or attendee from the tournament at any time for conduct deemed inappropriate, dangerous, or detrimental to the event. Removal under this provision is final and no refund of entry fees will be issued.

Late Arrival / Forfeit: Teams must be ready to play at their scheduled match time. A 5-minute grace period is allowed. If a team cannot field the minimum required players within 5 minutes of kickoff, the match is awarded as a forfeit to the opposing team.

No Alcohol or Smoking: Players are prohibited from consuming alcohol or using tobacco or smoking products during the tournament day, including before and between matches. Violations may result in immediate removal.

Referee Authority: The referee's decision is final on all matters of play. There is no formal appeals process. Persistent dissent toward a referee may result in a yellow card, red card, or removal from the tournament.

Group Stage: 10 teams are divided into two groups of 5 (Group A and Group B). Each team plays 4 matches during pool play. Points: Win = 3, Draw = 1, Loss = 0. Pool play matches that end level remain a draw — there is no penalty shootout in the group stage.

Advancement: The top 2 teams from each group advance to the semifinals on Day 2. Tiebreakers: (1) Head-to-head result; (2) Goal difference; (3) Total goals scored; (4) Penalty shootout if still level.

Semifinals: SF1: 1st Group A vs. 2nd Group B. SF2: 1st Group B vs. 2nd Group A. Winners advance to the Championship Final.

Championship Final: The two semifinal winners compete for the title. Winner receives the Champions Cup trophy and the $5,000 prize.

Charitable Donation: Any proceeds remaining after tournament expenses and prize payouts have been settled will be directed to the Dr. Deborah Salmon Foundation scholarship program and community initiatives. The Foundation will announce the recipient organization prior to the tournament.

Liability Waiver: All players must sign a liability waiver before competing in any tournament match. By signing, players acknowledge the inherent risks of participation and release the Dr. Deborah Salmon Foundation, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or loss arising from participation.

Players who have not submitted a signed waiver will not be permitted to take the field under any circumstances.

Media Consent: By registering and participating in The Berkshires Cup 2026, all players and team representatives consent to being photographed, filmed, and recorded during the tournament. Media content may be used by the Dr. Deborah Salmon Foundation for promotional, educational, and fundraising purposes including social media, websites, and press materials.

Players who do not consent to media use must notify tournament organizers in writing prior to Day 1. Notification does not affect a player's right to participate.