Arena Autumn Cup 2026 – Tournament Regulations

FIFA Laws of the Game

The Arena Autumn Cup 2026 international youth football tournament will be played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, subject to the specific rules and regulations of the tournament.

In the event of any conflict between the FIFA Laws of the Game and the Arena Autumn Cup 2026 Tournament Regulations, the Tournament Regulations shall prevail.

Tournament Information, Age Categories and Dates

24–25 October 2026

  • Boys 2014 A – players born on or after 1 January 2014
  • Boys 2014 B – players born on or after 1 January 2014
  • Boys 2015 A – players born on or after 1 January 2015
  • Boys 2015 B – players born on or after 1 January 2015
  • Boys 2016 A – players born on or after 1 January 2016
  • Boys 2016 B – players born on or after 1 January 2016
  • Boys 2017 A – players born on or after 1 January 2017
  • Boys 2017 B – players born on or after 1 January 2017
  • Girls 2013 – players born on or after 1 January 2013

31 October–1 November 2026

  • Boys 2011 – players born on or after 1 January 2011
  • Boys 2012 – players born on or after 1 January 2012
  • Boys 2013 – players born on or after 1 January 2013

Match Duration

  • Boys 2011 – 1 × 40 minutes
  • Boys 2012 – 1 × 40 minutes
  • Boys 2013 – 1 × 40 minutes
  • Boys 2014 A – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2014 B – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2015 A – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2015 B – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2016 A – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2016 B – 1 × 35 minutes
  • Boys 2017 A – 1 × 30 minutes
  • Boys 2017 B – 1 × 30 minutes
  • Girls 2013 – 1 × 35 minutes

Each team will play 3–4 matches on the first day of the tournament and 2–3 matches on the second day.

Depending on the age category and match duration, each team is guaranteed a minimum of 5 or 6 matches during the tournament. Match duration may be adjusted depending on the total number of matches.

Number of Players on the Field / Substitutions

The number of players on the field is as follows:

  • Boys 2011 – 10+1
  • Boys 2012 – 10+1
  • Boys 2013 – 10+1
  • Boys 2014 A – 10+1
  • Boys 2014 B – 8+1
  • Boys 2015 A – 8+1
  • Boys 2015 B – 8+1
  • Boys 2016 A – 6+1
  • Boys 2016 B – 6+1
  • Boys 2017 A – 6+1
  • Boys 2017 B – 6+1
  • Girls 2013 – 10+1

Substitutions are unlimited and may be made throughout the match.

Team Size

  • Boys 2011–2014 A – maximum 20 players
  • Boys 2014 B–2016 – maximum 18 players
  • Boys 2017 – maximum 15 players
  • Girls 2013 – maximum 20 players

Match Balls

  • Boys 2011–2013 – size 5
  • Boys 2014–2016 – size 4
  • Boys 2017 – size 3

All match balls used during the Arena Autumn Cup 2026 meet the applicable FIFA quality standards.

Offside

The offside rule applies to the boys’ and girls’ 2011–2015 age categories.

The offside rule does not apply to the 2016–2017 age categories.

Use of Older Players

In the 2011–2013 age categories, each team may use up to three over-age players who were born on or after 1 August of the previous year.

For example, in the Boys 2011 age category, a team may include up to three over-age players born on or after 1 August 2010.

In the 2014–2017 age categories, each team may use up to two over-age players who were born on or after 1 August of the previous year.

For example, in the Boys 2014 age category, a team may include up to two over-age players born on or after 1 August 2013.

During the Arena Autumn Cup 2026, a player may not represent more than one age category. If this rule is violated, the player will be disqualified from the tournament and the offending team will forfeit the match. The opposing team will be awarded the victory.

Venues

Arena Autumn Cup 2026 matches will be played at football venues and indoor football halls in Tallinn. All matches will be played on artificial turf.

The tournament venues are:

  • Nike Arena
  • Sportland Arena
  • EJL Football Hall

The tournament organizers reserve the right to make changes to match times and venues if necessary.

Tournament Format

Arena Autumn Cup 2026 consists of two stages: the group stage and the playoffs.

During the group stage, teams will be divided into groups of 4–6 teams. Each team will play every other team in its group once.

Points are awarded as follows:

  • Win – 3 points
  • Draw – 1 point
  • Loss – 0 points

If two or more teams finish the group stage with the same number of points, their final ranking will be determined according to the following criteria:

  1. Head-to-head result
  2. Goal difference
  3. Disciplinary record:
    • abandoned matches or cancelled results
    • red cards
  4. Drawing of lots

All final positions in the Arena Autumn Cup 2026 will be determined through playoff matches.

The playoff format for each age category will be announced by the organizers one week before the tournament begins.

Penalty Shoot-outs

If a playoff or final match ends in a draw after regular time, the winner will be decided immediately by a penalty shoot-out. No extra time will be played.

In all age categories, each team will initially take three penalties.

Tournament Jury

Any disputes or protests will be decided by a three-member tournament jury consisting of the head referee and two representatives of the tournament organizing committee.

The decision of the jury is final and cannot be appealed.

Failure to Appear / Insufficient Number of Players

If a team in the Boys 2011–2014 A or Girls 2013 age categories does not have at least 7 players on the field within five minutes of the official kick-off time, the team will forfeit the match.

If a team in the Boys 2014 B–2017 age categories does not have at least 5 players on the field within five minutes of the official kick-off time, the team will forfeit the match.

If fewer than 12 teams participate in an age category, the tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust the match duration by up to ±5 minutes.

Awards

The teams finishing in first, second and third place will receive trophies, medals and diplomas.

The best player and best goalkeeper in each age category will receive individual awards.

Tournament Entry Fee

Payment of the tournament entry fee guarantees a team’s place in the Arena Autumn Cup 2026.

If the entry fee is not paid by the specified deadline, the tournament organizers reserve the right to remove the team from the list of registered participants.

Medical Assistance and Responsibility

The organizers of the Arena Autumn Cup 2026 are not responsible for injuries sustained during the tournament.

Each team is responsible for ensuring appropriate assistance in the event of an injury. Where possible, the tournament organizers will provide assistance in dealing with medical situations.

Disciplinary Sanctions

A player who is sent off will take no further part in that match.

The match referee may recommend an additional suspension or other disciplinary sanction. Any such recommendation must be submitted in writing to the tournament’s head referee, who will make the final decision.

The head referee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. The team’s registered representative will be informed of the decision.

Fair Play

To promote fair play and mutual respect, players are encouraged to shake hands with their opponents and the referee after the pre-match line-up and again after the final whistle.

Acceptance of Tournament Regulations

By participating in the Arena Autumn Cup 2026, each team confirms that it has read, understood and accepted the Tournament Regulations.

Team Registration

Upon arrival at the tournament, each team must submit a completed registration form to the tournament organizers before its first match.

Where possible, the signed registration form may be submitted in advance by email to:

info@arenacup.ee

Only players listed on the registration form are eligible to participate in the tournament. No additional players may be added to the registration form once the tournament has started.

Each team’s representative must sign a declaration confirming the team’s arrival, acceptance of the Arena Autumn Cup 2026 Tournament Regulations and acknowledgement that changes may be made if necessary.

A team that fails to comply with these requirements may not be permitted to participate in the tournament.

Start of the Match

Teams must be present at the field at least 10 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.

If both teams have similar-coloured kits, the team listed second in the match schedule must change shirts or wear bibs.

The tournament organizer will provide bibs if required.

Force Majeure and Tournament Management

The tournament organizers reserve the right to change match times and venues if circumstances beyond their reasonable control make such changes necessary.

In the event of an emergency or force majeure, the tournament organizers reserve the right to cancel all or part of the tournament if circumstances beyond their reasonable control make it impossible to organize or safely conduct the event.

The tournament organizers are not responsible for theft, loss or damage to personal property during the tournament.