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Points System

ResultPoints
Win3
Draw1
Loss0

Quick Rules

Platforms

  • EA FC Sports - 26 New Gen (NG) is open to players on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
  • EA FC Sports - 26 Old Gen (OG) is open to players on PS4 and Xbox One cross-play.

 

Game Settings

  • Online Friendlies 
  • Half Length: 6 minutes 
  • Stadium: UT Stadium
  • Ball: EA SPORTS White/Black

All match lobbies must be created with the following settings:

Basic Settings

  • Game Data Centre Selection: Direct
  • Game Start Time: 0
  • Home Score: 0
  • Away Score: 0
  • Leg: First

Advanced Settings

  • First Ball Possession: Home
  • Game 1 Tiebreaker Options: Extra Time

Ruleset

  • FC Pro Open

 

Teams

  • All teams allowed except for ‘all-star’ teams
  • The same team is allowed on both sides
  • If an opponent chooses to play international it is up to you to play a club or international side

 

How to Win

  • For Best of 1: The player that has the most goals after one (1) game will be the winner.
  • For Total of 2: The player that has the most goals combined (highest aggregate) after two (2) games will be the winner. 

 

Draw / Extra Time

  • For Best of 1: Should both players be tied on goals after one match has been played, a second match must be played. The first half will be played as a traditional extra-time. If there is no result after the first half, the second half must be played. The second half will be played as a golden-goal (the player who scores the first goal wins the match). If there is still a tie after the end result, the higher seeded player will be awarded the win.  
  • For Total of 2: Should both players be tied on aggregate (combined) goals after two matches have been played, a third match must be played. The first half will be played as a traditional extra-time. If there is no result after the first half, the second half must be played. The second half will be played as a golden-goal (the player who scores the first goal wins the match). If there is still a tie after the end result, the higher seeded player will be awarded the win.  

 

Connection and Game Type

Players with a NAT 3 / Strict NAT type will receive an immediate forfeit. 

 

Known Issues

There are currently no known issues - please be sure to reach out if you have any reports

 

This tournament is not affiliated with or sponsored by Electronic Arts Inc. or its licensors.

 

Game Specific

1.1 Time Wasting

Should your opponent be leading in a game and start passing around in the back, they may be disqualified. Record video evidence and send it to an admin after the match is complete if you suspect your opponent is wasting time.

 

1.2 Grace Period

A participant must be in the game lobby with their opponent within 15 minutes after a match’s start time. Proof must be provided that there was an attempt to contact the missing opponent

 

1.3 Delays

Players may not delay the start of a match beyond its scheduled start time, without the approval of a tournament official. Players may delay a match between games for up to five minutes. Players can request that a tournament official enforce this five-minute time limit.

 

1.4 Match Schedule

In a knockout tournament, participants that have not completed their matches before the scheduled start time of the next round of fixtures must contact an admin. Participants that do not attempt to contact an admin will have their fixtures forfeit once the 'Grace Period' of the following fixture expires.

 
1.5 Double Forfeit

If a match is not played and neither player contacts the admin requesting the forfeit or win, both players will be knocked out of the tournament.

 

1.6 Seeding

Participants will be seeded according to their game ELO. The higher seed is determined by the participant with the seed closest to 0. Example: Seed 4 is a higher seed than seed 10. 

 

1.7 Outside Players

After the match lobby has been created, only eligible players and staff members may be invited/join. If an ineligible player joins a game, the game must be ended if the player affects the game and/or doesn't leave within 30 seconds of joining. If a player is found to have invited an ineligible player to a game, they will forfeit the game.

 

1.8 Disconnections

If a player disconnects within the first thirty (30) seconds and/or before the first goal, the game should be ended.  All players must leave the match to end the game. 

If a player disconnects after the first thirty seconds (30) and/or the first goal, they may forfeit the round/game in question. 

1.9 Connectivity 

In the event of two players being unable to connect OR a bad connection being reported, a connection test can be requested. A connection test requires both players to post a screenshot or a photo of their connection which must indicate the NAT type, connectivity speed, and connection type.  

Should connectivity prove to be an issue in completing a match, the player with an ‘open’ nat type will be declared the winner. If both players have an open NAT type, the connection will come into question. A fibre connection is preferable to an ADSL connection which is perforable to a WiFi connection. If both players have the same connection the winner will be the higher seeded player. Seeding is determined first by wins on the ACGL platform, and then by random for those new to the platform. 

 

1.10 Hosting
 
The higher seeded player at match time must host the first game. The lower seeded player will host the second game. This will alternate until all games have been played.
 
Hosting players should create a custom game. As the hosting player changes over the course of a match, the new hosting player should leave the custom game and create a new one. A lag test should be performed before the start of each game to ensure all players have an acceptable player to player connection.

If the host incorrectly ends a game, they may forfeit the game.

 

1.11 Lag

In the event that lag occurs, the game should be completed. The player(s) that are experiencing lag should take video proof, and provide it to tournament live support after the game has concluded. Leaving the game prematurely may result in a forfeit of the round or game. 

 

1.12 No Shows

All no shows must be verified by a tournament official. The No Show grace period time is 15 minutes after the match's original start time. For example, if a match is scheduled for 10:00 PM, the no show time for this match would be 10:15 PM. In order to contact a Tournament Official use the Discord Live Support.

 

1.13 Time Limit

Players must report the match results within 10 minutes of its completion. Failure to report the match results on time or respond to any messages that you receive from a tournament official may result in the player receiving the loss. 

 

1.14 Report Match Score

Please report the match results on your match page which can be found under the Bracket Tab on the tournament page. To report the match results, players must report the match score accurately, with overall maps won being reported.

1.15 Pauses 

Competitors may pause up to three (3) times per match.

Global Rules

By signing up to this tournament all participants agree that they have read and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

 

2.1 Communication

Only communication via the ACGL Discord chat lobby, Match Chat, and ACGL Personal Messages will be accepted.

 

2.2 Rule Changes

ACGL has the right to (1) decide outside or even against the rulebook and (2) make changes to any of these rules before or during the tournament. This is to ensure fair play and the smooth progression of the tournament

 

2.3 Late Entries

Participants will not be able to sign up to tournaments once the sign-up deadline the has been reached

 

2.4 Misconduct and Unsportsmanlike Behaviour

All players are asked to behave in a respectful way towards other competitors and ACGL admins. Toxic behavior, flaming and unsportsmanlike behavior are not allowed and may be punished.

 

2.5 Conflict of interest

Participation in prize tournaments, unless otherwise explicitly permitted, is not allowed for employees of ACGL, its partners, or tournament sponsors.

 

2.6 Connections

Should we deem that your in-game connection is regularly in conflict with others or too unstable to fairly compete against others, you may be forfeited or blacklisted from our matchfinders.

The use of a VPN when connecting to our website/app is strictly prohibited and may result in you getting banned. Use of a GPN/Gaming VPN to connect to game-servers is allowed.

2.7 Prize distribution

In tournaments with a monetary payout, unless otherwise stated, payment will be made within (or by) 30 days following receipt of confirmed bank details. Please note that all prize payments must be done to a South African bank account. Any cash prizes not claimed after 3 months will be subject to forfeit.

Tournaments with a "sliding scale prize pool" have participation-dependant prizes, meaning a certain number of confirmed participants must be reached before a prize becomes valid and claimable.

 

2.8 Broadcasting

ACGL reserves the right to use any material cast or streamed by a player when participating in ACGL Tournaments. All personal streaming is allowed.

 

2.9 Spectators

Other than ACGL admins, spectators are only allowed if both participants agree. Any disputes on spectators must be made before the start of the first game.

 

2.10 Loadshedding
Standard cups: 
Standard cups will always go ahead regardless of the stage of loadshedding. As long as the tournament reaches the minimum amount of players needed for a tournament to start, it will start. 

Event Finals: 
If loadshedding is scheduled for stage 4 or above on the same day as an Event Series Finals, the dates of the finals may be moved to accommodate to all teams taking part.

 

2.11 New Characters

In the event that a new character is added to any game. That character may not be used within 14 days of his release. 

Account Rules

3.1 In-Game ID

Players must ensure that their in-game ID (relating to the tournament) is up-to-date on their ACGL account. Per admin discretion, players may be deducted honour or forfeited from the match/tournament.

Players with profanity, vulgar text or foreign characters that cannot be typed on a standard keyboard, console, or mobile device in their ID will be requested to remove the text or risk being banned.

 

3.2 Multi accounts

Each tournament participant must only have one account. If a player cannot access their account, they must contact an admin on Discord or email [email protected]

 

3.3 Names and Logos

We reserve the right to edit user/team names or logos and deduct Honour if they resemble copyrighted content, are offensive/vulgar, or incite hatred.

 

3.4 Players on Multiple Teams

During a term, a player may only be a core member on a single roster across all games. That player may be a substitute on any additional number of teams.

Players may only play for one team during a week.

  • E.g., Player A is a core player on Team 1, and a substitute player on Team 2. During the first week of matches, Player A participates in a match with Team 1. That player may not participate in any matches with Team 2 for the remainder of that week. During week 2, that player may now choose to play a match with Team 1 or Team 2.

It is expected that a player prioritises matches with their core team before their additional teams.

3.5 Account Sharing

Players are forbidden to allow others to play in tournaments in place of them by sharing game accounts.

 

3.6 Roster Changes

Changes to a team's roster may only be made before the start of a tournament and up to the end of the first round grace period. Teams may request via the admins for a roster change to be made with a player that is not a player already participating in the tournament. 

 

3.7 Substitutes

For specified tournaments, sub players will be allowed. These players are not required to check in and will also not receive any ELO or count towards team seeding. Substitutes will not be awarded trophies or embers either.

 

3.8 Country

Deliberately faking the country of residence is punishable. If a player does so and plays in a team match, the team will be punished as well.

Participants must reside in one of the following Sub Saharan African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Hosting rights for private matches will be given to South African players.

 

3.9 Banned players

Playing with a banned player may result in the entire team also being banned. A list of players banned from competing on the ACGL platform can be found here

 

Dispute Rules

4.1 Cheating

Breaking any rule and any form of cheating, hacking, abusing in-game mechanics, mods or unsportsmanlike behavior may be punished.

 

4.2 Disputes & Proof

All disputes must have evidence submitted to an ACGL admin for a ruling to be made. The burden of proof is on the accuser. In order to dispute game results, players must do so on the match page or Discord either before/during the match or no longer than 15 minutes after the end of the match.

 

4.3 Match-Fixing / Betting Fraud

Engaging in any action that improperly influences the outcome of a game or match by any means is strictly prohibited.

 

4.4 Doping

Any kind of doping is forbidden. Mild cases of doping will be punished with a warning. Severe cases (i.e. use of drugs containing performance-enhancing substances, like Adderall) will be punished.

 

4.5 Deception/Manipulation

The attempt to deceive admins or other players with wrong or fake statements, information, or data will not be tolerated. Players found bribing or attempting to bribe an ACGL admin or trying to manipulate the competition will be punished accordingly.

4.6 Game Modification

Programs that provide an unfair advantage or make changes to the game itself are forbidden. Scripts and changes to the game\'s configuration are not allowed unless otherwise stated in the tournament rules.

 

4.7 Equipment

Players may not use a Turbo/Button Macro controller. For all console tournaments, the use of a Keyboard/Mouse is strictly prohibited.

 

4.8 IP Flooding (DDoS Attacks)

Performing or assisting with a DDoS attack of your opponent or ACGL will be punished severely.

 

4.9 Lack of Cooperation

Failing to comply with a tournament admin's directions and/or requests may result in the forfeit of a game or the entire match.

 

4.10 Punishments

The following punishments for breaking rules may be enforced by an admin: Loss of Honour, a Game Forfeit, a Match Forfeit, or a ban for a specified duration. 

Penalty Rules

MINOR VIOLATION HONOUR DEDUCTION
No show 5
Incorrect game account 5
Fake result 10
Unregistered player 10
Deception 15
Unsportsmanlike Behaviour 8-20
Abandoning Free Agent team after check-in 20
3x FA team abandons Stats reset

 

Once a player reaches -20 Honour they will receive a one week ban, any subsequent violations may result in a permanent ban. 

 

MAJOR VIOLATION BAN DURATION
Playing with a banned player 1 month
5x FA team abandons 1 month
Boosting 1-3 months
Hostile language or Personal threats 1-3 months
Smurf account 3 months
Racism, hate speech Permanent

 

This list does not include violations such as cheating or use of illegal hardware as those are handled on a case by case basis. All bans are first reviewed by the ACGL admin team before they are confirmed.