Abronzino Cup Format

2025 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.

Feb 8 - 9  -   Group stage 1
Feb 15 -16 - Group stage 2
Feb 22-23 -  Group stage 3
March 1-2 -  Quarter- Finals - if tied straight to PK’s
March 8-9 -  Semi-Finals  - if tied straight to PK’s
March 15-16 - FINALS - if tied at end of regulation - FIFA overtime rules

 

Format

Group Stage: 9 Teams - 3 Groups of 3 Teams Round Robin
Top 8 teams in group stage move into single-elimination Knockout Stage

 

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

GUEST TEAMS ONLY (Including NISA Nation & non SWPL teams)

  • Pre-printed Official Match Rosters must be submitted to League Representatives prior to start of tournament for approval.
  • Must bring printed roster for each game.
  • 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.

SWPL TEAMS

  • Must bring printed roster for each specific game and submit them to the referees 30 mins prior to kickoff..

 

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 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

Referees

  • All group stage games will be based on a 3-man system. Fees will be 100/75/75 ($125 per team)
  • Knockout stages will be based on a 4-man system, Fees will be 120/80/80/60       ($145 per team)

 

Prize

Champion - Entry into the 2025 NISA Independent Cup $2,000 value) and trophy