League Rules

KICKR Rules of Play

Everything you need to know about how a KICKR monthly tournament runs. Read this before you sign up. By registering you agree to follow every rule on this page.

Last updated: May 1, 2026

1Format

• 5 vs 5 on turf. Each team has 5 players on the pitch.
• Players may rotate the goalkeeper position throughout the match, or a team may choose to use one dedicated goalkeeper for the full game. Either is allowed.
• Matches are 57 minutes of continuous play. There are no halves and no scheduled stoppages.
• Every team is guaranteed 8 games per monthly tournament, including the playoff and final rounds.

2Roster and substitutions

• KICKR is currently a men's league. All registered players must be male.
• Maximum 5 registered players per team.
• If a registered player cannot make a scheduled match, the team must register a substitute in their team profile for that specific game in advance. Walk-up subs are not permitted.
• A player may only appear on one team's roster per monthly tournament.

3Equipment

• Turf shoes are required. Cleats of any type (firm ground, soft ground, metal, moulded studs) are not permitted on the playing surface.
• A team that takes the field with a player wearing cleats forfeits the match. The opposing team is awarded a 3-0 forfeit win.
• Shin guards are optional but recommended.
• KICKR provides every team and every individual player with a full match kit (jersey, shorts, socks). Players are expected to wear the supplied kit during all matches.

4Gameplay rules

• Slide tackles are not allowed at any time, anywhere on the pitch. A slide-tackle attempt is an automatic foul and may be carded at the referee's discretion.
• The offside rule is not in effect.
• The goalkeeper may use their hands inside the marked goalkeeper area only.
• Throw-ins are replaced with kick-ins. The ball is placed on the touchline and played in with the foot.
• Restarts after the ball leaves the field behind the goal line are taken by the goalkeeper from inside the goalkeeper area. Back-passes to the goalkeeper are permitted.
• There are no corner kicks. When the ball goes out behind the goal line, play restarts with the goalkeeper.
• Standard free-kick rules apply for fouls in open play. Penalty kicks are awarded for fouls inside the goalkeeper area.

5Discipline (yellow and red cards)

• Referees may issue yellow or red cards for fouls, dangerous play, dissent, or unsporting behaviour, at their discretion.
• A yellow card is a formal warning. Two yellow cards in the same match equal a red card.
• A red card results in immediate ejection from the match. The player is also suspended from the team's next scheduled match. More serious offences (violent conduct, abusive language, repeat reds) may result in longer suspensions or removal from the league.
• The referee's word on the field is final. Players and teams may submit a written appeal to KICKR league administration within 48 hours of the match. League admin decisions are final.

6Scheduling, no-shows, and late arrivals

• Teams should arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes before their scheduled match time.
• A 5-minute grace period applies for late arrivals. If a team is not ready to play 5 minutes after the scheduled kickoff, the late team loses 3 standings points for that match week and the match starts immediately with whoever is present.
• A no-show (a team that does not arrive at all) forfeits the missed match 3-0 to the opposing team and is automatically suspended from their next scheduled match, which is also recorded as a 3-0 forfeit win for that opponent. In effect, a no-show team misses two consecutive games.
• Matches cancelled because of weather, facility issues, or any other situation outside of player control are KICKR's responsibility to reschedule. Affected teams will be contacted by email with the rescheduled date and time.

7Standings and tiebreakers

• Standings points: Win = 3, Draw = 1, Loss = 0. Late-arrival deductions and forfeits are applied as described above.
• Tiebreakers for playoff seeding and knockout matches that finish level are decided by a penalty shootout. There are no goal-difference or head-to-head tiebreakers.

8Code of conduct

• Respect referees, opponents, teammates, and KICKR staff at all times.
• Zero tolerance for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other slurs or abusive language. A first offence is at minimum a red card and one-match suspension; a second offence is removal from the league with no refund.
• Physical altercations (fighting, deliberate violent conduct off the ball) result in immediate removal from the match and a minimum three-match suspension, pending league admin review. Severe incidents may result in permanent removal from the league with no refund.
• No alcohol or recreational drug use at the venue. Players who appear to be under the influence will not be permitted to play and will be recorded as a no-show.
• Spectators are welcome and are expected to follow the same conduct standards as players. A team is responsible for the behaviour of its spectators.
• KICKR reserves the right to remove any player or team whose conduct damages the league environment, with or without refund, at the sole discretion of league administration.

9Refunds and cancellations

• Refunds and cancellations are handled by the KICKR refund policy. See the refund policy page for the full details.

10Eligibility

• All players must be 18 years of age or older at the time of registration.
• Players must agree to all rules on this page at the time of signup.

Have a question that isn't answered here? Email league@kickr.ca and we'll get back to you within one business day.