San Diego Invitational Soccer Tournament

CHAMPION	2ND PLACE	3RD PLACE	FAIR PLAY	GOLDEN BOOT	GOLDEN GLOVE
$1500 Trophy Medals	$1000 Trophy Medals	$500 Trophy Medals	Trophies +Prize Money TBA	$250	$250

Official Rules & Regulations

1. Date

The San Diego Invitational Soccer Tournament 2026 will be held over two (2) days:
May 16–17, 2026

2. Location

Wangenheim Park
10401 Flanders Drive
San Diego, CA 92126

3. Team Roster, Nationality & Player Eligibility

• • Each team may register a maximum of twenty-six (26) players on its official roster.
  • Nationality Rules by Division
    a. Player Eligibility: Eligible players must be of East Asian or Southeast Asian descent, regardless of sex.
    b. Open Division Exception: Teams in the Open Division may register one (1) non-Asian player.

4. Age Division Requirements:

• • Under 11 Division: Born 2015 or later
  • Under 15 Division: Born 2011 or later
  • Over 35 Division: Born 1991 or earlier
  • Over 50 Division: Born 1976 or earlier

Use of ineligible players may result in:

• • Immediate removal of the player
  • Forfeiture of matches
  • Disqualification from the tournament at the committee’s discretion

5. Roster Submission & Player Identification

• • Final rosters must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
  • Each submission must include:
    • Government-issued photo ID for each player
    • One portrait photo of each player
  • Players are subject to ID Scan verification at check-in.
  • Players unable to provide valid ID will be denied participation.
  • Teams may request opposing team ID checks at any time.
  • Age eligibility complaints can be filed at any time (before or after matches)

Warning:

• If any player is found using fake or falsified documents/ID, the Tournament Organizing Committee (TOC) will not be held responsible for any incidents or consequences that may arise.

6. Tournament Format

All divisions are guaranteed three (3) matches per team:

• • Two (2) matches on Saturday
  • One (1) match on Sunday

Division Structure & Playoff Advancement:

Over-50 Division (14 Teams – Single Pools):

• • Top four (4) teams advance to the semifinals
  • 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd
  • Winners advance to the Championship match
  • Losers of semifinals → 3rd place match

Open Division & Over-35 Division (6 Teams Each – Single Pool):

• • Top four (4) teams advance to the semifinals
  • Winners of semifinals → Championship match
  • Losers of semifinals → 3rd place match

Playoff Match Rules:

• • All playoff matches follow standard playoff durations (see Section 7)
  • If tied at the end of playoff matches, winners will be determined by Penalty Kick (PK) shootout, unless otherwise directed by the tournament committee

The tournament committee reserves the right to modify playoff schedules due to field availability or unforeseen circumstances.

7. Group Stage Points, Standings & Tie-Breaking
   • Group stage match points are awarded as follows:
     • Win: 3 points Draw: 1 point Loss: 0 point
   • Group stage ranking is based on highest total group stage match points. When there is a tie, tiebreakers are in the following order:
   • Goal difference.
   • Goals scored.
   • Lowest disciplinary penalty points (see Fair Play and Disciplinary section).
   • Goal difference between tied teams.
   • Goals scored between tied teams.
   • Drawing of lots.

8. Match Duration

• • Under 12 Division: 2 × 25 minutes, 10-minute halftime
  • Open Division: 2 × 35 minutes, 10-minute halftime
  • Over 35 Division: 2 × 35 minutes, 10-minute halftime
  • Over 50 Division: 2 × 35 minutes, 10-minute halftime
  • Playoff Matches: 2 × 35 minutes, 10-minute halftime; PK shootout if tied (unless otherwise determined)

9. Fair Play and Disciplinary (Based on Viet Orlando Tet Tournament)
   The Best Fair Play record is based on the lowest total disciplinary penalty points. In the event of a tie for the Fair Play award, the tiebreakers are as follows:
   • Lowest number of forfeit matches.
   • Lowest number of direct red cards.
   • Lowest number of indirect red cards (2 yellow cards in a match).
   • Lowest number of yellow cards.
   • Highest tournament ranking position.

   Disciplinary penalty points are calculated as follows:

   • Yellow card 1 points
   • Indirect red card (2 yellow cards) 3 points
   • Direct red card 4 points $100 fine
   • Forfeit a match 10 points $250 fine
   • Drop out or disqualified from the tournament 20 points $500 fine

   All officially recorded infringements during the tournament are punishable, whether committed deliberately or negligently. Teams are responsible for the behavior of their members, players, officials, supporters, or anyone acting on their behalf, even if the team can prove the absence of fault or negligence.

   The maximum total fine amount for any team during the tournament is capped at $500. Any amount exceeding $500 is forgiven.

10. Referees & Match Conduct

• • All referee decisions are final
  • Disputes must be submitted in writing after the match
  • Only team captain and head coach may communicate with referees
  • Abusive language, threats, or misconduct toward officials = ejection and removal from tournament without refund

11. Registration & Fees

• • Fee: $900 per team
  • Full payment due by March 13, 2026
  • Late or unpaid registrations = loss of spot, assigned to waiting list
  • Registration fees are non-refundable, unless tournament is canceled

12. Awards & Recognition

CHAMPION	2ND PLACE	3RD PLACE	FAIR PLAY	GOLDEN BOOT	GOLDEN GLOVE
$1500 Trophy Medals	$1000 Trophy Medals	$500 Trophy Medals	Trophies +Prize Money TBA	$250 Trophy	$250 Trophy

 

13. Tournament Safety Rules & Player Protection
    FIFA Rules Format with Tournament ModificationsNo Slide Tackling
    • Slide tackling is prohibited for all players except goalkeepers inside their own penalty area.
    • If a player (other than the goalkeeper) performs a sliding tackle inside the defending team’s penalty area and makes contact resulting in a foul, the referee shall award a penalty kick to the attacking team.
    • If a player (other than the goalkeeper) performs a sliding tackle inside the defending team’s penalty area to block a shot or scoring attempt without making contact with the opponent, but the action impacts play, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the other team and issue a yellow card to the sliding tackle player.
    • Goalkeepers are exempt from this rule only while acting inside their own penalty area. Goalkeepers who perform a sliding tackle outside of the penalty area will be treated as outfield players and subject to the same restrictions and disciplinary actions.
    • Enforcement: The referee’s decision regarding whether a tackle constitutes a foul, legal block, dangerous play, or misconduct is final. The referee may issue additional disciplinary sanctions, including yellow or red cards, for reckless or serious foul play.
    • Purpose: This rule is intended to reduce dangerous challenges, improve player safety, and promote fair play.

    NOTES:
    Slide tackle without contact = card + indirect free kicks
    Slide tackle with contact = card (yellow or red depend on referee’s decision) + direct free kicks.

    Kickoff

    • The home team shall choose the side of the field.
    • The away team shall kick off to start the match.

    Match Duration

    • All matches, including semifinal and final matches, shall consist of two 35-minute halves for a total of 70 minutes of playing time.
    • If a playoff match is tied at the end of regulation, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks in accordance with FIFA Laws of the Game.

    Substitutions

    • Unlimited substitutions are permitted during all matches in accordance with tournament procedures.

    Post-Match Report

    • Referees are required to submit a post-match report to the Field Marshal immediately following each match.
    • The report must include:
      • Final score
      • All goal scorers
      • Players receiving yellow cards
      • Players receiving red cards
      • Any incidents of misconduct or disciplinary action taken during the match.
14. Team Responsibilities & Match Readiness

• • Arrive 30 minutes before kickoff
  • Not ready within 10 minutes = forfeit
  • Responsible for:
    • Matching uniforms with visible numbers
    • Proper equipment
    • Sportsmanlike conductCommittee may modify rules, schedules, or formats due to weather or unforeseen circumstances

15. Minimum Player Requirement & Match Abandonment

• • Minimum Players to Start:

• • • U12: 6 players
    • Adult/Open/Over 35/Over 50: 9 players

• • If a team falls below minimum during a match due to injury, ejection, or absence:

• • • The match may be abandoned
    • Abandoned matches may be recorded as a forfeit 3–0, unless committee decides otherwise

• • Teams unable to field minimum players at kickoff forfeit the match automatically

16. Forfeits & Disqualifications

• • Matches forfeited if:

• • • Team not on field within 10 minutes
    • Team cannot field minimum players
    • Team refuses to continue

• • Forfeited match = 3–0 victory for non-offending team
  • Disqualifications may occur for:

• • • Use of ineligible players
    • Failure to pay fines
    • Fighting or referee abuse
    • Repeated safety violations

• • Disqualified teams forfeit remaining matches, prizes, and registration fees

17. Liability, Waiver & Assumption of Risk
    • Participation is at own risk
    • Tournament, organizers, staff, referees, volunteers, and venue assume no liability for injury, illness, death, or property loss
    • All players acknowledge inherent risks in soccer
    • Players are strongly encouraged to carry medical insurance
    • Medical expenses are the responsibility of the individual or team
    • Participants release, waive, and hold harmless tournament and affiliates from any claims
    • Parents/guardians of U12 players agree to liability terms on child’s behalf
    • Participation = acceptance of all rules and liability terms
18. Protest & Appeals

• • Referee calls are final and not subject to protest
  • Protests allowed only for:

• • • Player eligibility
    • Roster violations
    • Administrative/procedural errors

• • Protests must be:

• • • Written
    • Submitted by team captain/head coach
    • Filed within 30 minutes of match end

• • Committee may request documentation or review
  • Committee decisions are final
  • False or frivolous protests may result in: dismissal, disciplinary action, or disqualification