Official League Rules

• Registration fees must be paid in line with Bangkok Ballers League payment policy. Teams and individuals may pay in full or via a payment plan agreed with the League.
• Fees are collected by Stripe. The team captain is responsible for paying the team fee and confirming payment with the League.
• Any team or player not in good standing (fees not paid as agreed) will not be permitted to play in any future games until payment is made. Persistent failure to pay may result in withdrawal from the League.

All players must complete the Bangkok Ballers League player waiver before participating in a league game. If a player takes part without completing registration, the game may be ruled a forfeit for fielding an ineligible (illegal) player.

• Every player must complete the waiver before stepping onto the pitch. Complete it online here: on the registration page.
• A player may play for only one team per division. Their name must appear on the game sheet of any team they are registered for.
• Roster limit: 14 players per team. No new player registrations or roster additions will be accepted once a team reaches the limit. Any player added must not already have played for another team in the same division.
• The League will announce the player registration deadline each season. After the deadline, the League may request ID from any player suspected of being unregistered.
• Eligibility: all players must be 18 or older on the date of registration. Bangkok Ballers League is open to players of all genders.

• Changing rooms and showers are available at the venue where provided. Bring your own lock if lockers are offered, the League does not issue keys.
• Players must use the changing areas and may not change pitch-side.
• Leave all facilities as you found them, keep them clean and respect the space and venue staff.
• No smoking and no alcohol at the venue or pitch-side at any time.
  • 1st infraction: your next game is forfeited.
  • 2nd infraction: your team is removed from the League.

• The match ball is an outdoor regulation ball, Size 5. No indoor/futsal balls are permitted.
• The ball must be approved by the referee before the start of the game.

• A match is played by two teams of no more than six and no fewer than four players on the pitch (one of whom must be the goalkeeper).
• If a team drops below the minimum at any time, play is stopped and that team receives a default loss of 3-0.
• Unlimited substitutions, made on the fly or at any stoppage. Play is not delayed for substitutions, except for the goalkeeper, the keeper change must be indicated to the referee.
• A substitute may not enter until the player being replaced is within 1 metre of the team bench. Neither player may interfere with play while both are on the pitch, abuse may result in a 2-minute penalty.
• Any outfield player may swap with the goalkeeper, provided the referee is informed and the change is made during a stoppage.
• Bangkok Ballers League is an open/mixed league, no gender quotas on the pitch; all players welcome.

• The game starts from the centre and the ball may be played in any direction. When the ball crosses the sideline it is returned by a kick-in.
• After a goal, play does not restart until both teams have returned to their own half. Delaying the restart or excessive celebration may result in a 2-minute penalty.
• The goalkeeper may not throw a live ball directly into the opposing net, if this occurs, the restart is a goal kick to the opposing team.
• A player cannot score an own goal directly from a kick-in, if this happens, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.

• A minimum of four players is required to start. If a team cannot field four within 10 minutes of the scheduled kick-off, they forfeit 3-0.
• The game is two 25-minute halves. Games starting late may be shortened to keep the schedule. Half-time shall not exceed 2 minutes, except by consent of the referee.
• The referee ends the game with the whistle; the final minute is at the referee's discretion (a promising attack may be allowed to finish, and a penalty awarded as time expires may be taken).
• Games abandoned after the second half has begun (injury, power failure, other unforeseen events) will stand. Games abandoned before the second half will be rescheduled.
• Any game abandoned due to physical or verbal confrontation will be defaulted by the offending team(s) at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.
• All games are 6v6, five outfield players and a goalkeeper.

• No slide tackles are permitted where contact, or potential contact, could be made with another player.
• Sliding to keep the ball in play when no player is near you is not considered a slide tackle.

• All free kicks are indirect.
• Players who encroach within 5 metres of the kicker may be cautioned by the referee.

• Penalty kicks are taken from the penalty spot and may be taken by anyone on the game sheet for that game.
• A penalty shoot-out is 3 shooters per team. If still tied, it goes to sudden death (one kick each). No player may shoot again until all eligible players have taken a kick.

• Minor infraction: a 2-minute penalty. The player serves the full two minutes even if their team concedes, and returns only when signalled by the referee.
• Zero tolerance for fighting. Any pushing, shoving or yelling in close proximity at or between opposing players results in an immediate yellow card; a second offence is a direct red. A single player involved in a fight is suspended for the session; if three or more players from one team are involved, the team is removed from the League.
• A team must not have more than three players who were previously part of a team banned from the League.
• No-show notice: captains who do not give notice that their team won't appear at least 2 hours prior to the game are automatically suspended for 1 game. Notice must be given via email admin@bangkokballersleague.com.
• Red cards: the player leaves the playing area immediately. The team plays a player down for 5 minutes regardless of goals conceded, then returns to full strength (minus the sent-off player) when signalled.
• If a goalkeeper receives a 2-minute penalty, the time may be served by another player on the pitch. A goalkeeper red card means ejection with no return.
• A substitute (not on the pitch) who receives a 2- or 5-minute penalty causes their team to play a player down for the duration.
• Each team is responsible for the behaviour of its spectators, who must stay away from the benches. Only individuals on the game sheet are allowed in the bench/pitch area.
• Each team must keep a minimum of 4 players (3 outfield + goalkeeper) on the pitch at all times. Dropping below this forfeits the game 3-0 regardless of score; if both teams are at fault it is a double default.
• If a referee abandons a game due to one team's actions, that team forfeits 3-0 regardless of score.
• A red card brings an automatic next-game suspension; the player may not play for any team until the Disciplinary Committee has ruled. No player may play while serving a suspension for violent conduct or abuse of an official.

• Teams have 48 hours after a suspension to appeal.
• Appeals are made in writing to the League, outlining the request to reduce the suspension.

• All players must have photo ID with them during the playoffs.
• Teams may ask the League to ID-check opposing players. The request must be made before the start of the 2nd half; requests made afterward may be denied. If neither team requests it, no ID check is done.
• If both teams are found with ineligible players, those players are removed and the game continues.
• Playoff format: two 20-minute halves; if tied, 3 penalty kicks each; if still tied, sudden death (one kick per team).
• If a team is involved in a physical altercation during the playoffs, whether they advance is at the discretion of the referee and the League.

• A team must protest an opposing player's eligibility before the start of the 2nd half, to League staff, naming the player(s) in question.
• Any team found using ineligible players forfeits that match 3-0. If the opposing team wishes to continue, the ineligible players may instead be removed and the game continued at the current score; the final result then stands and is not open to objection after the final whistle.
• A team that knowingly plays an ineligible player may face disciplinary action.

• All players on a team must wear the same-coloured shirts with unique numbers matching the game sheet. The goalkeeper must wear a numbered shirt in a colour that distinguishes them from both teams.
• Footwear: running shoes, flat-sole indoor shoes, turf shoes, or moulded studs. No metal studs or six-stud boots are permitted (turf rule).
• If both teams have the same shirt colour, the designated team must change, teams should carry a primary and an alternate kit (or bibs). No pinnies are provided.
• Shin guards and socks are mandatory at all times, with shin guards covered by the socks.
• Knee braces and soft casts must be padded and are allowed at the referee's discretion; no hard casts. No jewellery except a medical bracelet; smartwatches and fitness trackers are not permitted.

• Every player must be listed on the game sheet, and may be verified by League staff on arrival.
• After the registration deadline, all players (including the captain) must carry photo ID to verify identity if questioned by the opposing team or the League.
• The captain must complete the game sheet before kick-off and sign it to confirm the information is accurate.
• A maximum of 14 players may appear on a single team's game sheet.
• No new players may be added to a team's game sheet after Week 4, the only exception is one goalkeeper.

• A referee is appointed to each game, enforces the Laws of the Game, and their decisions are final. They complete the game sheet and report any disciplinary issues in writing.
• The League will not tolerate any abuse of referees or staff at any time.

Points are awarded 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Where teams are level, ties are broken in this order: