2026 FDYFL Football Festival Rules and Formats
General Festival Rules
All players must be registered in accordance with League rules.
A player may only play for one team during the festival.
Any team found to be playing an unregistered or ineligible player will be removed from the festival by the host club.
Teams must register with the host 30 minutes before their first match.
Coaches must provide a printed team sheet from The FA Whole Game System.
Standard Mini Soccer / Youth Football rules apply in line with SCORY, including:
Match Format
No half-time. No change of ends. Rock–Paper–Scissors decides kick-off or choice of end.
Points
Any team not ready to play within 3 minutes of being called will forfeit the match.
The first named team provides the match ball.
In the event of a colour clash, the second named team must change kit (referee’s decision is final).
Rolling substitutions are permitted at the referee’s discretion.
Festival Format - 8 or 7 Teams
The festival is split into Group A and Group B.
Teams play each other once within their group to determine final group positions.
Matches are 10 minutes long. In 7-team festivals, the group with 3 teams will play 15-minute group matches. This ensures we maximise playing time while staying within SCORY daily playing limits.
Group Stage Tie-Breakers
If teams finish level on points, positions will be decided (in the following order) by:
Teams not qualifying for the knockout stages will exit the festival at the end of the group phase.
Knockout Stage - 8 or 7 Teams
If a knockout match is level at full-time:
Cup Competition
1st and 2nd in each group progress to Cup Semi-Finals:
Winners progress to the Cup Final.
Shield Competition
3rd and 4th in each group progress to Shield Semi-Finals:
Winners progress to the Shield Final.
Medals are awarded to Winners and Runners-Up in both Cup and Shield Finals only.
Festival Format - 6 Teams
Each team plays every other team once.
All results are recorded in a single league table.
Only the top 4 teams will progress to the Knockout Stage.
Teams not qualifying for the knockout stages will exit the festival at the end of the group phase.
If teams finish level on points, positions will be decided (in the following order) by:
6-Team Knockout Stage
If level at full-time:
Medals are awarded to Winners and Runners-Up in both Cup and Shield Finals only.
Penalty Shoot-Out Rules