CLASH CUP: PUGET SOUND
December 12–13, 2026 · North SeaTac Park · Puyallup Valley Sports Complex
Last updated: August 15, 2026
01
AUTHORITY AND APPLICATION
Clash Cup matches will follow the IFAB Laws of the Game except where modified by these tournament rules. These rules apply to every team, player, captain, coach and spectator participating in Clash Cup: Puget Sound.
The referee’s decisions concerning facts connected with play are final. Clash Sports retains final authority over tournament administration, eligibility, scheduling, discipline and matters not specifically addressed in these rules.
Do not state or imply that the tournament is sanctioned by US Soccer, USASA or any other governing body unless Clash Sports later provides written confirmation.
02
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Competitive adult 7v7, including one goalkeeper · Maximum roster: 14 players · Eight groups of four teams · Three group-stage matches guaranteed · Group stage: Saturday, December 12 at North SeaTac Park · The top team in each group advances · Quarterfinals through championship and third-place match: Sunday, December 13 at Puyallup Valley Sports Complex · Every team must remain available Sunday in case it qualifies.
Group matches may finish tied. Every knockout match that remains tied at the end of regulation will proceed directly to kicks from the penalty mark. There will be no extra time.
03
MATCH RULES
Matches will be scheduled as 50-minute games consisting of two 25-minute running-clock halves. Teams will change ends promptly at halftime so the tournament remains on schedule.
Seven players constitute a full team. A team must have at least five eligible players to start or continue a match.
There is no offside rule and no three-line or halfway-line distribution restriction. Opponents must remain at least eight yards from the ball at free kicks and corner kicks. Penalty kicks will be taken from the marked penalty location established for the field.
Lawful slide tackles are permitted. Any tackle that is careless, reckless, uses excessive force or endangers an opponent will be penalized under the Laws of the Game.
04
OFFICIATING AND MATCH REPORTS
Each match will be officiated by one currently certified soccer referee assigned by Clash Sports or its referee partner.
Before each match, the referee or tournament staff will check each team against its final approved roster. Players must present government-issued photo identification if requested.
Following each match, the referee will submit the final score and report all cautions, ejections, forfeits, eligibility concerns and other material incidents to Clash Sports.
The referee’s decisions concerning facts connected with play are final. Player-eligibility and tournament-administration matters will be decided by Clash Sports.
05
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND ROSTERS
Every player must be at least 18 years old by December 12, 2026. A player may appear on only one Clash Cup roster and may not change teams after the roster deadline. Captains are responsible for confirming the identity and eligibility of every player.
Final rosters are due by 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, December 10, 2026. Roster changes after that deadline require written approval from Clash Sports.
Players must have a government-issued photo ID available at tournament check-in or whenever eligibility is questioned. Use of an ineligible or unregistered player may result in a 3–0 forfeit, removal from the tournament and loss of prize eligibility.
06
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions are unlimited, and replaced players may re-enter.
Substitutions require the referee’s permission and must occur during an appropriate stoppage. Players must leave and enter from the designated team area or midfield unless directed otherwise by the referee.
Substitutions may not be used to delay a restart or disrupt the flow of play.
07
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Teams must bring numbered jerseys, a contrasting alternate jersey or numbered pinnies, shin guards for every player, appropriate footwear for synthetic turf, and at least two match-quality size-five soccer balls.
Metal studs and dangerous equipment are prohibited. Jewelry must be removed or covered only when permitted by the referee.
When uniform colors conflict, the team designated as the home team will change.
08
GROUP-STAGE STANDINGS
Group standings use the following points: Win: 3 points · Draw: 1 point · Loss: 0 points.
If teams finish level on points, the following tiebreakers apply in order: 1. Head-to-head result when exactly two teams are tied. 2. Goal differential, capped at plus or minus five per match. 3. Goals scored, capped at five per match. 4. Fewest goals conceded. 5. Best disciplinary record. 6. Random draw administered by Clash Sports.
When three or more teams are tied, head-to-head will not be used until the procedure reduces the tie to exactly two teams.
09
KNOCKOUT MATCHES
The knockout bracket will be published with the tournament schedule. Teams will not be reseeded after the bracket begins.
A tied knockout match proceeds directly to five kicks from the penalty mark per team. If still tied after five kicks, the procedure continues one kick per team until a winner is determined.
A third-place match will determine the recipients of the third- and fourth-place prizes.
10
FORFEITS AND LATE ARRIVAL
Teams should be checked in and ready at least 20 minutes before kickoff.
A team that cannot field five eligible players within 10 minutes of its scheduled kickoff may forfeit the match. A forfeit is normally recorded as a 3–0 result.
The scheduled match clock will not be delayed because a team is late. Clash Sports may remove a team that abandons a match, repeatedly arrives late or refuses to complete its schedule.
11
CARDS, EJECTIONS AND CONDUCT
A player sent off may not be replaced during that match and must leave the playing area.
A red card carries a minimum one-match suspension. Violent conduct carries a minimum two-match suspension. Clash Sports may impose a longer suspension or remove a participant for serious misconduct.
Fighting, threats, discrimination, referee abuse or deliberate use of an ineligible player may result in match forfeiture, removal from the tournament and loss of prize eligibility.
Captains are responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches and supporters. A referee or tournament director may suspend or terminate a match because of spectator behavior.
11A
ZERO-TOLERANCE FIGHTING POLICY
Fighting is strictly prohibited before, during and after matches and anywhere at a Clash Sports tournament venue.
If any player, substitute, coach, manager or other individual affiliated with a team actively participates in a fight:
The team will immediately forfeit the current match and be eliminated from the tournament.
All deposits and entry fees paid by the team will become nonrefundable.
The team will forfeit any prize money already earned or otherwise eligible to receive.
The team will be banned indefinitely from all future Clash Sports tournaments.
Every individual who actively participated will also be banned indefinitely, regardless of which team that person attempts to represent in the future.
Active participation includes throwing or attempting to throw a punch, kick, headbutt or other strike; wrestling or physically attacking another person; entering an altercation to engage physically; or escalating an existing confrontation.
Attempting to retreat, separate participants or reasonably protect oneself without retaliating will not, by itself, constitute active participation.
Clash Sports will determine whether fighting occurred based on reports from referees, tournament personnel, venue staff, security personnel, witnesses and any available video. Clash Sports’ decision will be final for tournament-administration purposes. Incidents may also be reported to venue management, affiliated leagues or law enforcement when appropriate.
12
WEATHER AND FACILITY CONDITIONS
Teams must report as scheduled unless Clash Sports provides different instructions.
Because of weather, unsafe conditions or facility decisions, Clash Sports may delay, shorten, relocate, reschedule or cancel matches. A weather-terminated match may be declared complete if the first half has been completed. If play ends earlier, Clash Sports will determine whether the match should be resumed, replayed or otherwise resolved.
Any entry-fee treatment resulting from a cancellation will follow the published Clash Cup cancellation and refund policy.
13
PROTESTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Referee judgment decisions are final and cannot be protested.
Eligibility or administrative concerns must be submitted to Clash Sports promptly and before the affected team’s next match whenever reasonably possible. Clash Sports’ ruling is final for purposes of the tournament.
14
ENTRY AND PRIZES
Submitting a captain application does not reserve a place.
Accepted teams secure their place with a $250 deposit. Founding teams: $1,250 total for the first 8 teams, with $1,000 due November 12, 2026. Standard teams: $1,500 total for the next 24 teams, with $1,250 due November 12, 2026.
At 32 fully paid teams, the $23,500 cash-prize distribution is: Champion: $15,000 · Runner-up: $4,000 · Third place: $3,000 · Fourth place: $1,500.
Prize recipients must complete any required identity, eligibility and tax documentation before payment. Prize eligibility remains subject to compliance with the tournament rules.
The reduced-field prize schedule and complete team withdrawal, cancellation and refund policy will be published before any accepted team is asked to submit a deposit.
15
TOURNAMENT AUTHORITY
Clash Sports may interpret these rules, correct administrative errors and make decisions necessary to preserve safety, fairness and the tournament schedule. Material changes will be communicated directly to captains.