Rules & Regulations — 2026 Men's Masters
A. Tournament Overview
1. Tournament Name
The tournament is the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens.
2. Governance
Organised by the Hong Kong Football Club in conjunction with the Hong Kong Football Association. Played in accordance with the FIFA Laws of the Game, except as amended within these Rules and Regulations.
3. Match Format
• Seven players per side.
• Pitch approximately 90 m × 55 m.
• The offside law does not apply.
4. Eligibility to Enter
Open to all clubs/teams, both local and overseas, that have been invited by the Organising Committee.
5. Acceptance of Rules
By accepting an invitation to participate in this tournament, teams are deemed to accept and agree to abide by these Rules and Regulations.
6. Venue, Dates & Draw
• Venue: Hong Kong Football Club
• Dates: Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026
• Draw: made by the Organising Committee, which reserves the right to seed teams at its discretion.
B. Registration & Eligibility
7. Player Registration
Registration is required by each team and must be completed before or at the briefing meeting:
• Briefing: 2:30 pm, Friday 22 May 2026
• Submit player details on the prescribed forms, including tournament shirt numbers, plus proof of birth date and identity.
• Assigned tournament shirt numbers must remain consistent for each player across all home and change kits.
Squad — Men's Masters:
• Maximum squad: 11 registered players.
• Age: up to five players may be aged 35–39 as of Friday 22 May 2026. All remaining players must be aged 40 or above.
C. Tournament Format
8. Competition Structure
The Men's Masters competition features three tiers: Cup, Shield and Plate.
10 teams compete in a league phase of two groups of five teams, followed by a knockout phase.
League phase
• Each team plays all other teams in its group on Friday 22 May and Saturday 23 May.
Knockout phase (Sunday 24 May)
• Top 2 per group → Cup semi-finals.
• 3rd & 4th per group → Plate semi-finals.
• Shield: The losing teams from the Cup semi-finals will contest the Shield final.
• 5th-placed teams: Fifth-placed teams in each group will exit the tournament.
D. Match Logistics
9. Match Schedule
The match schedule will be announced on the official website, www.hksoccersevens.com, in advance of the tournament.
10. Team Sheets
Team sheets must be handed to tournament officials at least 10 minutes before kick-off, using the tournament team sheet pro forma:
• Include the full names and shirt numbers of all players.
• Identify separately the seven starters and those available as substitutes.
• Submit at the registration desk located at the announcers' desk in the main stand.
11. Substitutions
During normal time, a maximum of 4 substitutions are allowed per team in the Men's Masters competition.
• Substitutes enter at the halfway line, only after the outgoing player has left the field of play.
• Substituted players may not re-enter the field for that game.
E. Playing Rules
12. One Team Per Player
No player may play for more than one team, for any reason whatsoever.
13. NEW RULE FOR 2026 — One Player in Each Half
During normal time of all matches, teams must ensure at least one player (goalkeeper or outfield) remains in each half of the pitch at all times.
• Infringement → indirect free kick to the opposition from the halfway line.
• Referees may play advantage instead of awarding a free-kick.
• Deliberate or repeated offenses may be punished with a yellow card.
• Does not apply to extra-time (see Rule 20).
F. Match Duration & Scoring
14. League Points
|
Result |
Points |
|
Win |
3 points |
|
Draw |
1 point to each team |
|
Loss |
0 points |
15. Tie-Breaking — League
If two or more teams are level on points, placings are determined in this order:
1. Higher goal difference.
2. Higher goals scored.
3. Two teams still tied → sudden-death playoff between four players, in the format described in Rule 20.
4. Three or more teams still tied → sudden-death penalty kicks.
16. League Match Duration
Seven minutes per half, with a one-minute break at half-time.
17. Knockout Match Duration
Seven minutes per half, with a one-minute break at half-time (all competitions).
18. Cup Final Duration
• Men's Masters Cup final: 10 minutes per half, three-minute break at half-time.
• All other finals: 7 minutes per half, one-minute break at half-time.
19. Timekeeping
Timekeeping for each game is at the sole discretion of the referee in charge for that particular game.
G. Extra-Time Format (Knockout Games)
20. Drawn Knockout Games — Sudden Death
If a knockout game is level at the final whistle, extra-time is played using the registered squad in three phases:
Phase 1 — 4 v 4, up to 4 minutes
• Any four players from the registered squad may start.
• Golden goal: first to score wins.
• Kick-off via drop-ball at the centre line.
• If a player has been sent off in normal time, they are ineligible. The unaffected team carries a one-player advantage (5 v 4).
Phase 2 — 3 v 3, up to 3 minutes
• If still level, each side reduces to three players.
• Any three from the registered squad may start; golden goal continues.
Phase 3 — Sudden-Death Penalties
• If still level, the three remaining players from each side take penalties.
• Kicks continue until one team has scored more than the other from the same number of attempts.
Teams have a one-minute break to determine their starting lineups for the extra-time periods.
H. Match-Day Procedures
21. Schedule Is Indicative
Times shown on the draw are indicative only — the tournament may run ahead of schedule. Team managers and captains should always be available and check with tournament officials on the next scheduled game.
22. Punctuality & Walkovers
• Team officials are responsible for getting their team on the field at the time shown on the draw or as advised by tournament officials.
• Five minutes' grace may be permitted at the discretion of tournament officials.
• If the grace period expires: the opposing team receives a walkover with three match points and two goals for.
• Minimum to start: five registered players on the field.
I. Discipline
23. Cards & Suspensions
Red cards
• A red card → suspension from the subsequent game in which the team plays.
• Two red cards → ban from the tournament.
Yellow cards
• Two yellow cards → suspension from the next game.
• Any further yellow card after that suspension → another match suspension.
• Yellow cards do not carry over from the league phase to the knockout phase — all players start Sunday's play with a clean yellow record.
J. Officiating & Equipment
24. Match Officials
All matches are officiated by the Hong Kong Chinese Football Referees Association. Decisions on the field are final; no appeal will be entertained.
25. Kit
• Each team must bring two full kits in contrasting colours.
• In the event of a kit clash, the first-named team in the draw shall change.
• No team will be allowed to play without jerseys, or with unnumbered jerseys.
K. Tournament Administration
26. Weather
The Organising Committee reserves the right to alter the format of the tournament due to inclement weather conditions.
27. Disputes
All disputes, queries or objections not covered by the above rules shall be referred to the Organising Committee, whose decisions shall be final and binding.
28. Liability
Hong Kong Football Club officials and employees, and the Soccer Sevens Organising Committee, accept no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury caused to participant players or spectators during the tournament.
29. Player Insurance & On-Site Medical
Clubs/teams are strongly advised to ensure that their players are adequately insured. The Hong Kong Football Club will provide:
• Touchline physiotherapy assistance when and if required.
• A tournament doctor in attendance on all three days of competition.
30. Goalkeeper Injury Replacement
In the event of an injury to a goalkeeper, the Organising Committee, at their discretion, may allow a replacement goalkeeper to be registered during the tournament.