2025-2026 Abronzino Cup Rules & Format

Schedule

All games will be scheduled to be played with kickoff times on Saturdays between 4-8pm or Sundays between 12-7pm. Any times outside this must be approved by league and both teams.
Nov 8 - 9 - Group stage 1
Nov 15 -16 - Group stage 2
Nov 22-23 - Group stage 3
Dec 6-7 - Group Stage 4
Jan 24-25 -  Quarter- Finals - if tied straight to PK’s
TBD -  Semi-Finals  - if tied straight to PK’s
TBD - FINAL - if tied at end of regulation - FIFA overtime rules

Format

Group Stage: 10 Teams - 1 Group of 10 Teams - 4 Matches per Team
Top 6 teams in group stage move into single-elimination Knockout Stage.
Top 2 teams qualify directly to the Semifinal round.

Player Eligibility

• “Cup Tied” - Once a player plays in the Cup for one team they CANNOT play in the Cup for another team
• New players can be added to rosters before semifinals stage
• Only currently rostered players are allowed to play in CUP games
• No Borrowed Players, Guests or Free Agents
• Cup rosters will be frozen after the semifinals

Hosting

• Highest seeded team has the option to host knockout stage matches
• If higher seeded team does not want to host, the lower seed team may host
• If neither team has a home field, a field will be assigned by the league and both teams will split costs of the field.

Tiebreakers

If 2 or more teams are tied on points after the group stage:

• Tiebreaker 1 - Goal Difference
• Tiebreaker 2 - Goals For
• Tiebreaker 3 - Goals Against
• Tiebreaker 4 - Coin Toss

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Additional Rules

• Games will be full 45-minute halves, 10 minute halftime period.
• Any team not prepared to start must have at least 7 players to start the game or they will forfeit and pay both teams' game & ref fees.  All forfeits will be 2-0
• There will be a 5 minute grace period to allow 7 players to arrive at field. Beyond 5 minute grace period game clock will start and opponent will be responsible for a $20 portion of the opponents ref payment. At 15 minutes from original kickoff time game will be declared a forfeit if opponent is not taking the field.
• All rounds of games, with the exception of Finals, will go directly to PK's if tied after regulation.
• Final games that end in ties will go to (2) 15 min OT periods, then PK’s

Pre-Game Procedures

• Must bring Official Match Rosters for each specific game and submit them to the referees 15 mins prior to kickoff. 
• All tournament players must appear on the team roster - NO WRITE IN PLAYERS FOR CUP
• Photo ID cards required for all players at game check-in.  No card, no play

Gameday Procedures

• Games will be full 45-minute halves, 10 minute halftime period.
• Subs - same as regular season (see Gameday Procedures)
• Any match forfeit will be scored 2-0
• All knockout rounds of games, with the exception of Finals, will go directly to PK's if tied after regulation.
• A Final game that ends in a tie will go to (2) 15 min OT periods, then PK’s

Referees

• All group stage games will be based on a 3-man system. Fees will be 120/80/80 ($140 per team)
• Knockout stages will be based on a 4-man system, Fees will be 120/80/80/60 ($170 per team)

Prize

Champion - Entry into the 2026 NISA Independent Cup $2,000 value) and trophy