7Cup Terms
and Conditions

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOURNAMENT

1. Participation and qualifications

Registration and participation

A maximum of 64 teams participate in the 7Cup. Registrations will be open from 21st of March 2025 and will last 15 weeks. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. In the event of withdrawal or disqualification of a registered team after the registration deadline, a waiting list will be established for waiting teams.

Qualification tournaments

There will be 4 qualifying tournaments, each composed of 12 to 16 teams. The teams will be divided into 3 to 4 groups of maximum 4 teams each. During the group stage of qualifying tournaments, winning a match earns 3 points, a draw is worth 1 point and a loss is worth 0 points. A total of 8 teams – if 4 groups: the top two teams from each group - if 3 groups: the top two teams from each group and the two best third placed (determined by: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored) - will participate in a knockout stage to reach the final of the qualifying tournament. The qualifying tournaments will be played outdoors.

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage, if the match ends in a draw, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout (see “rules of the game” section). Each team will take 4 penalties.

Format of qualifying matches

During the group stage, qualifying matches will last 20 minutes, without half-time. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the referee. During the knockoutstage, matches will last two periods of 15 minutes with a half-time of maximum 5 minutes.

2. Qualifications for the final

Winners of qualifying tournaments

The 4 winners and the 3 best runners-up of each qualifying tournament will qualify for the final stage of the 7Cup.

Third-place teams

Additionally, the top third-place team will join the finalists, based on the

The top 3 runner-up teams will join the finalists, based on the following criteria:

  • Goal difference in Final
  • Number of goals scored in Final
  • Goal difference - whole qualifier
  • Number of goals score - whole qualifier

3. Final event

Event details

The 7Cup final will take place over two days, on 17th and 18th of January 2026 at the ING Arena. It will take place in two stages.

Championship stage

The initial stage of the finals will take place in the form of a league, where each team will face the others. The four highest ranked teams will advance to the second stage. In the championship stage, matches will last 20 minutes – in a single half. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the referee.

Second stage

The second stage of the final will take place in the form of knockout matches.In the semifinals, the winner of the first stage will play against the fourth-place team and the second against the third-place team.

During the knockout stage, matches will last two 15-minute halves with a half-time of maximum 5 minutes. In the event of a draw, the winner will be decided by a 4-penalty shootout.

Third place match

A classification match for third place will precede the final.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

1. Team registration

Start of registration

The team manager initiates the registration of a team of 10 players using the website form. On top of coaching his team, the team manager is responsible for team administrative tasks and contact with the 7Cup organization. He cannot be a player.

Eligibility of participants

All participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration.

Information required

The captain provides essential information for each player, including

  • Last name
  • First name
  • Date of birth
  • Jersey size
  • Jersey number (1-10)
  • Province
  • Professional status (yes/no)
  • Goalkeeper status (yes/no)
  • Preferred qualifying location (3 choices, in order of preference)
  • Manager's bank account
  • Manager's email address
  • Manager's phone number

Definition of professional player status

In the tournament framework, a professional player is defined as being part of the the first or second football division or first division Futsal. In Belgium, this corresponds to the Jupiler ProLeague and the Challenger Pro League.

Team composition

A team consists of 1 manager, 10 players, including a captain, at least one goalkeeper and a maximum of three professional players.

The Manager has the right to replace players (or himself) in case of injury or unavailability. More than 2 replacements is subject to the approval of the organizer.

Acceptance of the general terms and conditions

By completing the registration form, the manager undertakes to respect the general terms and conditions of the competition, the code of conduct and the competition regulations.

Registration fees

The registration fee of 400 euros (incl. VAT) per team must be paid the latest 10 working days before the event takes place.

Confirmation process

After registration, teams undergo an internal validation process. Confirmation - or not - of registration and the qualifying location is sent to the manager after one week. The organizer reserves the right to refuse registration without justification.

Changing the team

The manager retains the right to change the team members before the start of qualifiers. Once qualifications have started, no changes can be made without noticing the organizer.

2. Player obligations

Acceptance of the general terms and conditions

At the start of qualifying, each manager and player is required to sign the competition terms and conditions, code of conduct and competition regulations.

Proof of identity

Each player must also provide proof of identity (ID card) at the start of the qualifying tournament.

Exclusion for refusal of agreement

Refusal to accept the terms and conditions, code of conduct and/or competition rules will result in the person being excluded from the competition.

Exclusion for lack of proof of identity

Failure to prove identity results in exclusion of the person from the competition.

Exclusion for identity falsification

Any attempt at falsification and/or identity theft will result in disqualification of the team.

Image rights

The organizer reserves the right to the image of the participants. This means that photos or videos of teams and players may be taken during the event and used for promotional or media purposes, such as posting on social media, the event website or in the press.

Photo Shoots

The participants have the obligation to take part in the photo shoots at organizers request. Failure to comply will lead to exclusion of the tournament.

Finalists Obligations

Finalists must participate actively in all activities related to the tournament. This includes the Challenges weekend, for which the date will be announced before qualifiers start. At least 8 out of the 10 players must be physically present at the Challenges weekend, at least one day.

3. Organizer authority

Exclusion

The organizer reserves the right to exclude any person and/or team from thecompetition.

Rule changes

The organizer also reserves the right to add and/or modify rules at any time during the competition. The organizer will give the team manager notice as soon as a change in the rules is acted.

4. Prizes

Prizes

The teams who reach the best positions in the tournament will be awarded a prize. As part of this tournament, teams are eligible for 2 prizes: a prize for the qualifying stage and a prize for the final stage

Prizes awarded during the qualifying stage

  • 1st place: €2,000
  • 2nd place: €1,000
  • 3rd and 4th place: €500

Prizes awarded during the final stage

The amount of the final prize is set at €77,700, distributed as follows:

  • 1st – €50,000
  • 2nd – €10,000
  • 3rd – €7,000
  • 4th – €5,000
  • 5th – €3,000
  • 6th - €2,000
  • 7th - €700

Prize distribution

If a team is eligible for a monetary prize, the full amount will be transferred to the manager’s bank account.

RULES OF THE GAME

1. Matches and points

Duration of matches

Each 7Cup group match will last 20 minutes, without half-time. The final stage knockout matches will last 35 minutes, two 15-minute halves with one 5-minute half time.

Point system

During the group stages, winning a match is worth 3 points. A draw is worth 1 point and a loss is worth 0 points.

Decisive game in the knockout stages

During the knockout stages, matches ending in a draw will be decided by a penalty shootout. Each team will take 4 penalties, with the team having scored the greatest number of points qualifying for the next round. If the penalty shootout ends in a draw after 4 penalties, the teams will continue to take penalties until one team scores and the other misses.

Replacements

During a match there can be an infinite number of substitutions. The referee must authorize any substitution before it takes place - when the ball is not in play.

Kick-off time

All matches begin at the announced kick-off time. Teams must be present on the field at least one hour before kick-off. Failure to field 7 players at kick-off time will result in an automatic forfeit and a 5-0 victory for the opponent. No refunds will be made for non-participation in one or more matches.

Disqualification

If a team forfeits more than one match, it will be automatically disqualified from the tournament. No refunds will be made in the event of disqualification.

2. Match specifications

Pitch dimensions

The 7Cup pitches are 45 meters long and 30 meters wide.

Official game balls

Each game will be played with official game balls - size 5.

Shoes

Football shoes should be molded studs or futsal shoes. Metal studs are not permitted.

Mandatory equipment

Wearing shin guards is mandatory.

Goal dimensions

The goals are 5 meters long and 2 meters high.

Team uniform

All players on a team must wear the same official jersey and colors. Bibs will be provided in the event of a color conflict. Moreover, all players are required to wear the full gear provided by the 7Cup organization. Players not wearing the full 7Cup equipment won’t be allowed to take part in the games. Players cannot exchange jersey and number once the tournament has started.

Goal zone and penalty spot

The goal area will be a rectangle 8 meters wide from the goal and 15 meters long. Penalties will be taken from the center circle. The penalty taker has 7 seconds to runand score. Any shot made after the 7-second signal will not be taken into account.

3. Game rules

Kick-off

The first kick-off does not follow traditional football rules. At the start of the match, referee counts down 15 seconds. All the players, including the goalkeeper, stand on their goal lines. On cue, the players run towards the ball to take possession. The match then starts without interruption. It is forbidden to shoot from the first touch of the kick-off.

Kick-offs during the match are taken according to the rules of traditional football.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers follow the usual rules of football. They cannot catch an intentional pas sfrom a teammate made on the foot with their hands. To put the ball in play, goalkeepers use their hands exclusively. Drop and kick are allowed. Additionally, goalkeepers can keep the ball in their hands for a maximum of 7 seconds.

Free kicks

Free kicks are taken according to the normal rules of football. All free kicks are direct. A wall of players can stand 7 meters from the ball. Once the ball is at the location where the foul was committed (determined by the referee), the player may play and does not have to wait for the whistle unless otherwise directed by the referee. The ball must not move.

Throw-ins

Throw-ins are done exclusively with the foot. For a throw-in to be valid, the ball must remain on the line and not move. Throw-ins are taken at the location where the ball came out (determined by the referee). Players must not wait for the referee's whistle to play unless otherwise instructed by the referee.

Corners

Corners follow the normal rules of football.

Tackles

Tackles are allowed.

Penalties

Penalties are taken as a run-up from the center circle. The penalty taker faces the goalkeeper one on one. At the referee's signal, the shooter has 7 seconds to run towards the opposing goal and try to score. Any shot made after the 7-second signal will not be taken into account.

Offside

There is no offside rule.

4. Fouls and sanctions

Regular fouls

Ordinary fouls will be punished at the discretion of the referee according to the official rules of football.

Penalty for accumulation of fouls

Five ordinary fouls in the same match will immediately result in a penalty kick for the opponent.

Unsportsmanlike fouls

Unsportsmanlike fouls result in a yellow card. A yellow card means a warning. Two yellow cards mean exclusion from the current match. The excluded player will not be replaced. This includes:

  • Small repeated fouls towards the opponent
  • Dangerous fouls that could harm the physical integrity of players
  • Yelling or calling out to challenge the referee's decisions
  • Intimidating behavior of any kind
  • Unsportsmanlike behavior of any nature

Red card

At the discretion of the referee, dangerous plays and unauthorized behavior will result in a red card, which means exclusion of the player for one or more matches, or even the entire tournament, at the discretion of the referee. The excluded player will not be replaced.

Disrespectful behavior

Any disrespectful behavior towards the referee and/or other players will also result in a red card and permanent exclusion from the tournament.

Summary