Club America Cup
2026 Club America Cup Rules
REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS
GENERAL:
This is a Class I Tournament; open to USSF, USYS, US Club Soccer, USSSA and FIFA
affiliated teams.
CHECK IN:
Teams will check in using the online software system by entering their roster and player
passes. If the manager fails to complete this prior to game day, they will need to do an
in person check in at the headquarter tent located at each facility. Mandatory
Registration is at the check-in tent on the first day of play a minimum of one hour
before the team’s first game. Failure to arrive on time for mandatory check-in may
result in automatic disqualification from the tournament without a refund. There is no
Friday night check-in.
By registering your team, you are committing to play all games scheduled for your
team. If your team does not show for a game without an extraordinary excuse (catching
a flight is not an extraordinary excuse), your team will not be invited back to any of our
events. Games not played will be classified as a forfeit under the rules below. Games
will not be rescheduled due to flight arrival or departure times. ALL teams are
committed to ALL playing games, as scheduled.
CREDENTIALS:
This is a US Club sanctioned event. Teams must provide the required credentials. All
U.S. teams must provide valid laminated Player I.D. Cards with photographs, and
signed Medical Release Forms. Your USYS State Association may require additional
paperwork to play in our tournament, including Travel Papers and/or Player Loan
Forms. MLS and GA teams must supply their game day roster showing players' names
and DOBs. You must comply with your State Association’s rules. Teams in Region IV of
USYS do not need any additional paperwork. U.S. teams registered through AYSO,
USSF or US Club Soccer must provide the appropriate travel documentation (for US
Club, an approved roster from the US Club website) for the organization to which they
are affiliated. International teams must provide a certified team roster, League
Identification Cards, medical release forms, Travel Papers, and/or Passports. In the
event an International team does not have League Identification cards, passports for
each player must be provided. All players must have a laminated or State Association
approved player card to participate.
No player card, no play.
Players may use valid player cards from the 2025/26 or 2026/27 season.ROSTERS:
U12(2013/14) – U19 (2007/08) age groups can roster up to 22 players but only 18
players may be in uniform and participate in each game.
U10 and U11 age groups can roster up to 16 players and play 16 players per game
U7 – U9 age groups can roster up to14 players, and play up to 12 players per game.
U19 (2007/08) - U13 (2013) will play BIRTH YEAR!
U12 (2013/2014) - U7 (2018/2019) will play SCHOOL YEAR!
GUEST PLAYERS:
Teams may use an unlimited amount of guest players as long as they are sanctioned
under the same association as the rest of the team (USYS or US Club), but are still
subject to the maximum roster size rules above. Meaning – guest players must have
the same type of player card as the team they are guest playing for. If a team is using
USYS player cards (from any state) then the guest player MUST have a USYS player
card (and it can be from any state). If a team is using US Club player cards then the
guest player must also have a US Club player card (US Club cards also include boys
and/or girls ECNL player cards).
PLAYERS CAN ONLY PLAY FOR ONE TEAM THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF
THE EVENT
RULES OF PLAY
FIFA Laws of the Game will apply as modified by USYSA and Cal South as described
herein.
All 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 games will be played using the US Soccer mandated rules for the
2025/26 season.
7 V 7 games:
Deliberate heading is not allowed in 7v7 games. If a player deliberately heads the ball
in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot
of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick
should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to
where the infringement occurred
Build out line:When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent,
the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play
Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or
roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build
out line and play resumes as normal.
The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until
the ball is put into play.
If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to
the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within
the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the
goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called.
Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the
build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line
and goal line. To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees
should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating
in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into
play. Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players.
Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate. Referees
should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of
possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out
line.
Punting and drop kicking the ball by the GK is not permitted. Goals may not be scored
directly from kick-off.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage.
9 v 9 games:
Deliberate heading is NOT allowed in 9v9 games for the U10 age group . If a player
deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the
opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the
goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal
line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred.
Deliberate heading IS allowed in the 9v9 games for the U11 age group.
Punting or drop kicking the ball by the GK WILL BE ALLOWED.
There is no build out line on 9 v 9 games.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage.MATCH DURATION/TEAM SIZE
Duration of halves per games, team size, and ball size are as follows:
Division Games Halves Field Size Ball Size
U-19 (07/08 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-17 (2009 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-16 (2010 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-15 (2011 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-14 (2012 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-13 (2013 Birth Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-12 (2013/14 School Year) 35 Minutes 11 v 11 5
U-11 (2014/15 School Year) 30 Minutes 9 v 9 4
U-10 (2015/16 School Year) 30 Minutes 9 v 9 4
U9 (2016/17 School Year) 25 Minutes 7 v 7 4
U8 (2017/18 School Year) 25 Minutes 7 v 7 4
U7 (2018/19 School Year) 25 Minutes 7 v 7 4
A game is "complete" upon completion of one half of play regardless of the
circumstances of termination during the second half with final results based on the
score at the time the game is called. Preliminary games can end in a tie.
GROUPO DE CAMPEONES Group Play will be have 2 each 30 minute halves
Quarterfinal/Semi-Final or Final games tied after regulation will go directly to FIFA
Kicks from the Mark to determine who is the winner.
GAME CHECK-IN:
Referees will perform safety checks prior to the start of each game. Team managers
must bring all player cards to every game, but do not need to provide player cards to
field marshal or referee unless asked to do so. All semifinal and final matches will
involve a full roster check-in.
Tournament staff will conduct spot checks throughout the weekend and in response to
requests from other teams in the age group. If a team is unable to produce player cards
upon request will be disqualified.
Any coach or player receiving a red card or being sent off from a game will have his
player card surrendered to the referee until the required suspension has been served.SUBSTITUTIONS:
Teams may substitute only with the referee's permission at any stoppage of play.
Substitutions shall be unlimited.
PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT:
It will be at the game Referee's discretion to determine the safety and suitability of
player equipment including the wearing of a hard brace or cast. Referee’s will perform
safety checks prior to the start of each game.
COACHING:
All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes,
friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to
one's own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:
• No mechanical devices are used;
• The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory;
• Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line;No
coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the
referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators;No coach, substitute, or
spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.
•
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS:
A player receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game will be given an ejection
(red card). A player who has been ejected (sent off), will not be replaced. A player who
has been ejected will not return for that game and will not be allowed to participate in
the next scheduled game. A player who is ejected for violent conduct will not be
allowed to participate in the next TWO scheduled games, at a minimum. Further
suspensions for Violent Conduct or Referee Abuse may be issued at the discretion of
the Tournament Director or tournament official. Any player or coach who assaults a
referee will be expelled from the Tournament. A coach who has been ejected (sent off)
will be suspended the same as a Player ejection.
During game suspension(s) for coaches: there can be NO contact between the team
and the coach during the game and the coach must be out of sight and sound of the
field.
Additionally, the coach must not be involved in unacceptable conduct (defined as
coaching his/her players by any means or method, or harassment of opponents/players/referees/staff). Failure to adhere to this rule will result an immediate ejection
from the tournament for the coach.
SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES:
If in the opinion of the referee a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may
be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) minutes prior to the
scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of the referee, a game must be
terminated for misconduct of players, bench, coaches, or spectators; the offending
team could be suspended from further play and will forfeit that game and all remaining
games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and
State Association will be contacted as appropriate.
INJURY:
Additional time will not be added to the game for injuries unless determined by event
official. All games will be played on a running clock.
TOURNAMENT COMPETITION
REFEREE DECISIONS:
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee
may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on
the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he/she has not restarted play.
DETERMINING WINNERS:
Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
- Three (3) points for each win- One (1) point for each tie- Zero (0) points for each loss
In the event two teams are tied in points at the end of bracket play, the teams to
advance will be determined as follows:
1. The winner in head to head competition
2. Best goal differential in overall competition
3. Most goals for
4. Least goals against
5. Most total wins
6. Most shutouts
7. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, a coin toss will be made with two
tournament officials present the result of which will then be communicated to each
team manager.In the event three or more teams are tied in points at the end of bracket play or in the
determination of a wild card team (and head to head is not applicable to all three teams
involved), the tournament will look to eliminate or advance teams based on applying
criteria 2 through 6 above until teams are advanced or eliminated.
After applying each tie-breaking criteria, the tournament will attempt to fill the spot(s)
available from the remaining teams. If a tie prevents all spots from being filled, the
teams who qualify will be advanced, the teams not involved in the tie for the remaining
spots will be not be advanced, and the teams tied for the remaining spots will be
evaluated under the next criteria on the list. In the event that all tie-breaking procedures
have left three or more teams tied, team names will be randomly selected by draw by
at least two tournament officials present the result of which will then be communicated
to each team manager.
As an example, in the following scenario in which there are 3 wild cards available and
five teams tied with 5 points:
Team GF GA GD
Team A 12 3 +9
Team B 4 1 +3
Team C 5 2 +3
Team D 3 0 +3
Team E 5 6 -1
The tournament will apply criteria 2 (goal differential) to the above teams to fill three
spots. Team A fills the first spot, but three teams are tied with a +3 differential. Team E
is eliminated, and Teams B, C and D are evaluated under the next criteria (goals for).
Teams B and C are awarded the final two spots.
If the three way tie is broken and there are still two teams tied to potentially advance
through, head to head will he the first tie breaker.
HOME TEAM:
The Home Team will be the team who appears first on the game schedule. HOME
TEAM WEARS WHITE/or LIGHT colored jersey.
The Home Team will have the selection of the bench they wish to play from, and the
direction in which they would like to play before the initial kickoff. The game ball will be
supplied by the Tournament. The game balls will be subject to Referee approval. Once
game balls are lost or stolen, home team will provide a game ball to be used.
VISITING TEAM:The Visiting Team will be the team who appears second on the game schedule and will
wear DARK JERSEY. The Visiting Team will be required to switch to alternate jerseys to
accommodate a color conflict as declared by the referee. The Visiting Team shall be
awarded the initial kickoff.
SPECTATORS:
All spectators are to be on the opposite side of the field from the Team Benches. In the
spirit of sportsmanship, we ask spectators to be on the same half as their team
“mirroring” their team and that spectators do not intermingle with each other. No
spectators are allowed on the team side of the field.
FORFEITS:
An automatic forfeit may be given if any of the following occur:
1. 2. 3. 4. A team is not present and ready to play with a minimum number of eligible players,
an eligible coach, and verified player cards, within 5 minutes after the original
kickoff time.
2. A home team is unable to supply alternate jerseys in the case of color conflict.
3. A team fails to check in at Mandatory Registration.
4. A team whose actions as determined solely by the referee cause the game to be
terminated.
All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored a 0-1 loss. The winner will be
awarded three (3) tournament points for a forfeit.With regards to #1 above and in the
case that players, coach or player cards arrive after the match has been forfeited,
PROTESTS:
No protest or appeal process exists for disputes on or off the field.
DISPUTES:
Game conduct is under the jurisdiction of the referee and the tournament will not
overrule a referee’s decision. All disputes off the field of play will be settled by the
Tournament Director or by his designee and the decision will be final.
GUEST TEAMS:
The Tournament may accept a team as a “Guest Team” in order to fill a late vacancy in
a Division. Guest Teams cannot advance out of Bracket. Guest Team game results are
predetermined to be a 1-0 loss against the Guest Team. The opposing team is awarded
three points.SURF SPORTS PARK RULES:
All participants and spectators must strictly adhere to Park rules:
1. No dogs are allowed at the Surf Sports Park
2. Keep off of above ground sprinklers and irrigation equipment.
3. Drive cars only in designated areas. Follow all signs and Parking Attendants. No
overnight parking. Cars left overnight are subjected to being towed at owner’s
expense.
4. No artificial noisemakers are allowed during the tournament.
5. No participants or spectators are allowed on the fields prior to 6:30 am.
6. Parking fee $20.00 per car per day. Motorhomes not allowed due to parking
restrictions.
SOCAL SPORTS COMPLEX RULES:
All participants and spectators must strictly adhere to Complex rules:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Stay off the slopes and fences.
No dogs are allowed at the So Cal Sports Complex.
Drive cars only in designated areas. Follow all signs and Parking Attendants.
No overnight parking. Cars left overnight are subjected to being towed at owner’s
expense
No artificial noisemakers are allowed during the tournament.
No participants or spectators are allowed on the fields prior to 6:30 am.
Parking fee $20.00 per car per day. Motorhomes $30.00/day. No overnight camping
allowed.
GALWAY DOWNS COMPLEX RULES:
All participants and spectators must strictly adhere to Complex rules:
1. Stay off the fences.
2. 3. 4. No dogs are allowed at Galway Downs.
Drive cars only in designated areas. Follow all signs and Parking Attendants.
No overnight parking. Cars left overnight are subjected to being towed at owner’s
expense
5. No artificial noisemakers are allowed during the tournament.
6. No participants or spectators are allowed on the fields prior to 6:30 am.7
7. Parking fee $20.00 per car per day.
All participants and spectators that violate the above rules will be removed from
premises and not be allowed to return.
REFUND POLICY:In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances out of the tournament’s
control leading to a complete cancellation of the event in which no games are played,
Surf Cup Sports may refund a maximum of 25% of the tournament’s registration fees.
TOURNAMENT PLAY
Tournament Play - ALL DIVISIONS (EXCEPT BOYS GRUPO DE CAMPEONES): May
23-25, 2026
All age groups and divisions are guaranteed three (3) games over Saturday and Sunday
as pool play games. Teams advancing from pool play will play semi-finals and/or finals
on Monday, May 25, 2026. All teams are expected to show up for all games, or teams
will not be accepted to any future Surf Cup Sports events.
Tournament Play - GRUPO DE CAMPEONES (Boys U14/U13/U12): May 21-25, 2026
All Super Groups and divisions will play three (3) mini games (30 minute halves) over
Thursday and Friday as pool play games. Teams advancing from pool play will play
Showcase, Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and/or Finals on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
All teams are expected to show up for all games, or teams will not be accepted to any
future Surf Cup Sports events.
TOURNAMENT SEEDING
The tournament may shuffle wildcard seeds for Showcase, Quarterfinal, and Semi-final
matchups to avoid two teams playing in bracket and again in future rounds. All seeding
decisions are final. In the scheduling with a 12-team bracket, Winner of A plays the
Wildcard and Winner of B plays Winner of C. In the event the Wildcard comes from
Group A, then Winner of A will play Winner of C and Winner of B will play the Wildcard.
BRACKETING
SIXTEEN TEAM FLIGHTS
Sixteen team flights will consist of four (4) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will
play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games with the top
team in each bracket advancing to the semifinals, unless otherwise specified.
Semifinal games will be played as the winner of Bracket A against the winner of
Bracket B, and the winner of Bracket C against the winner of Bracket D. The winning
teams in the semifinal matchups will compete for a championship in the finalsTWELVE TEAM FLIGHTS
Twelve team flights will consist of three (3) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will
play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games with the top
team in each bracket advancing to the semifinals, along with one wildcard team, unless
otherwise specified. Semifinal games will be played as the winner of Bracket A against
the wildcard, and the winner of Bracket B against the winner of Bracket C. If the
wildcard team comes from Bracket A then the winner of Bracket A will play the winner
of Bracket C and the winner of Bracket B will play the wildcard team. The winning
teams in the semifinal matchups will compete for a championship in the finals.
EIGHT TEAM FLIGHTS
Eight team flights will consist of two (2) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play
the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) preliminary games with the top team
in each bracket advancing to the Final.
SIX TEAM FLIGHTS
Six team flights will consist of two (2) brackets of three (3) teams. Three teams from
one bracket will play three teams from the opposite bracket. This is called cross-play.
The top two teams with the highest points from all six teams, across both brackets will
advance to the Final.
APPEALS/FAIR PLAY
Any matter not covered by the Rules of the event will be decided by the Tournament
Director or designated official. All referee decisions are considered final. Red cards and
ejections will not be rescinded.
We will not review any video to support any protest, objection, complaint or matter of
judgement.
Cheating will not be tolerated. Any team caught cheating, in any manner, will
immediately be forfeited out of the event and will not be accepted in to any Surf Cup
Sports event in the future. Other teams from the cheating team’s club will also be
banned from Surf Cup Sports events and if already accepted to a future event will be
withdrawn and refunded. The coach and manager from the team caught cheating will
be banned from the Surf Sports Park and So Cal Sports Complex indefinitely and will
be referred to their State Association for further disciplinary actions. Surf Cup Sports
along with Surf Cup Sports Park, Socal Sports Complex, and Galway Downs are not
responsible and will not be held liable for any lost, damaged, or stolen property while
on site.