Tournament rules

Invited clubs

There is no qualifying stage for this tournament. All clubs have been invited to compete.

Key information

Dates

• Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025
• Saturday 20 September 2025 and Sunday 21 September 2025

Venue

• Victoria Park Winter League Pitches
• Mile End Stadium Grass Pitch
• Mile End Stadium Astro Turf Pitches

Number of teams involved

• Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, Under 11s, Under 12s and Under 13s (8 spaces)
• Under 14s (8 spaces)
• Under 15s (8 spaces)
• Under 16s (8 spaces)
• Girls (6 spaces)
• Open Age Females (4 spaces)
• Open Age Males (16 spaces)

Event schedule

• 10am – Registration
• 10.30am – Competition starts
• 5pm – Competition ends

The two finalists from each youth category and open age of the heat stages will contest the Finals at Mile End Stadium on Sunday 21 September 2025.

Junior finals will take place on Saturday 20 September 2025 at Mile End Stadium Astro Turf Pitches.

Team requirements

A player cannot be registered to play Youth and Adults. The player or the player’s parent club, must choose which category the player can appear in. No player in any category can register for more than one team.

Check the age bandings for age category information.

Competition format

Youth and adults

The competition will be played on five Winter League pitches.

The competition will be played on five Winter League pitches.

• The 8 teams will be drawn in two groups of four teams in each youth categories.
• The 16 teams will be drawn in four groups of four teams in Adult Male category.
• The four teams will form one group of four teams in the Adult Female category.
• Pitch allocation and group draw will be completed by the organising committee.
• Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
• Each match will be of 20 minutes each way, there will be a two-minute half time break.
• There will be a 30-minute lunch break after the third match at approximately 1pm.
• The start and end of matches will be controlled by the match referee’s whistle.
• Group placing will be determined in the following order:
  • Points accrued
  • Goal difference
  • Number of goals scored
  • Record between the two teams if level after above
  • If level after all above, a sudden death penalty shoot-out will decide.
  • Knock Out Stage – No Extra Time: There will be no extra time played in the knockout rounds. Matches ending in a draw will go straight to penalties.

• The two finalists from each category of the heat stage will contest the finals at Mile End Stadium on Sunday 21 September 2025. Medals or other commemorative tokens shall be presented to the competitors in the final tie.
• The finalists will select their teams from the players originally registered for the heats stage. No other entry will be accepted.

Juniors

• All matches will be played according to the playing rules of the Football Association.
• The competition will be played on seven Astro turf pitches at Mile End Stadium.
• All age groups up from U8s to U11s will play 5-a-side and be of available to mixed gender. U12s and u13s will be played at 7-a-side and be boys.
• The eight teams will be drawn in two groups of four teams in all age groups.
• Pitch allocation and will be completed by the organising committee.
• Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
• Each match will be of 10 minutes duration, there will be no half time break.
• There will be a 30 minute lunch break at approximately 1pm.
• The start and end of matches will be controlled by the match referee’s whistle.
• Group placing will be determined in the following order:
  • Points accrued
  • Goal difference
  • Number of goals scored
  • Record between the two teams if level after above
  • If level after all above, a sudden death penalty shootout will decide
• The first and second placed teams from each age group will contest the Finals at Mile End Stadium Astro pitches on Saturday 20 September 2025. Medals or other commemorative tokens shall be presented to the competitors in the final tie.
• The finalists will select their teams from the players originally registered for the heats stage.

Tournament rules

Conduct

• All matches will be played according to the playing rules of the Football Association
• All teams are responsible for their players and spectators conduct both on and off the pitch
• Teams must be ready to play five minutes before scheduled kick off time
• Teams not ready to play at the scheduled time may forfeit the match, and their opponents would be awarded three points. The result will be 0-0
• All teams entered must complete all their fixtures in the spirit of the tournament. If any team leaves the tournament early, they will risk their entry being refused in any future Mayor’s Cup Tournament

Discipline

• If a player receives a yellow card, he will be liable for a fine from County FA. Should that player receive a second yellow card in the same match or a straight red card, the player will be disqualified from taking part for one game. If the red card is for violent conduct, the player will not take any further part in the tournament. A red card results in a one-match ban. Tournament committee reserves the right to exclude the player/team for the remainder of the tournament in cases of serious misconduct. All serious offences will be reported to the London FA.

Appeals Process to London FA

• All appeals regarding eligibility, misconduct, or results must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Committee. If unresolved, appeals may be escalated to the London FA via discipline@londonfa.com.

Substitutions

• Roll on, roll off substitutions can be made at any time during any match from the remaining squad players except to replace a player who has been sent off the field of play for misconduct by the Referee after play has commenced. Substitutions can only be made during stoppages in play and with the approval of the referee. All Categories, roll on/off substitutes can be used from remaining squad players.

Eligibility and identification

• Youth and Junior Team Managers must have their team players ID cards available to be checked by the opposing manager before each match. Only affiliated league ID cards or passport with photo will be accepted
• In the event that a player’s age or eligibility is being challenged, this should take place when the cards are being checked by managers before the match starts. If the match has commenced, the player being challenged and a member of his team management must come to the control centre with the player ID in order to resolve the issue. If the challenge is proven correct, the player is automatically banned from the tournament and the team might also be disqualified from the tournament and their results expunged. If a player who has been challenged and proven to be correct is re-challenged by another manager, that manager should be referred to the control centre
• If a team is found to be playing ineligible players in the tournament, they can be automatically disqualified and if they are in the finals, their prize money will not be paid out

During the game

• The kick-off will be decided by the toss of a coin with the first named team’s captain making the call. The winner of the coin toss will select which goal they wish to attack. The other team shall be awarding the kick off
• In the event of a sudden death penalty shoot-out, a coin will be tossed and the winner of the toss will decide whether to take the first penalty or elect to take the second
• Substitutes must wear a different colour top when not playing
• Each team must bring a change of kit in case of a colour clash. The second named team to change kit.
• Shin pads must be worn. Players without shin pads will not be permitted to play
• Players without correct footwear ie (studded, moulded, blades or Astroturf boots) will not be permitted to play. It is the responsibility of Team Managers to ensure the players have the correct footwear to suit playing surface/venue
• Jewellery/hair ornaments must be removed or taped to the satisfaction of the referee
• Non-dangerous protective equipment is permitted e.g., sports spectacles as per laws of the game
• Foul or abusive language will not be tolerated and will be penalised by the referee at their discretion
• The decision of the referee is final on the field of play
• The decision of the tournament organisers present, on the application of these rules, will be final
• The Finalists will select their teams from the players originally registered for the Heats stage.

Qualifying players

Registered players of the club must be amateurs and fall into one of the following categories:

• Under 8s
• Under 9s
• Under 10s
• Under 11s
• Under 12s
• Under 13s
• Under 14s
• Under 15s
• Under 16s
• Adult Male
• Adult Females

Ineligible players

All players in the youth and juniors categories must be under the age of their age group as shown on the age banding page. Any teams caught playing an ineligible player(s) i.e. that is older etc. will be disqualified.

Registered players

Players registered in the Youth category are NOT allowed to register in the Adult category and vice versa. Any breach of this will result in disqualification of the team(s) involved.

No player can play in any of the Mayor’s Cup Tournament unless they are registered to do so under their own name.

Playing for more than one teamN

o player can register to play for more than one team. Any teams caught to be playing an ineligible player(s) will be disqualified.

Entry and player registration forms

All clubs must submit their team entry and player registration forms with acceptable identification for each player. This is for junior and youth teams. This should be complete by 5pm on Friday 25 July 2025.

If a replacement is needed, each team is entitled to two player changes subject to a successful identification process. 

All registered players representing sponsors teams (not affiliated to County FA) must have valid insurance. The level of insurance must be acceptable to The FA and tournament organisers.

Referees and assistant referees, eligibility appointment

The organising committee will appoint referees and assistant referees (linesmen/women) for all matches in the tournament.

Referees will receive a payment per match, paid by the Tournament Committee

Clubs responsible for safe custody of cups and to sign an agreement

When a club has won, the Mayor’s Cup shall be handed to the Representatives of the Club and the following agreement signed

"We, ....................... the Secretary of .........................................Football Club, and ................ and ....................... Members of and representing the said Club, having been declared the winner of the London Borough Tower Hamlets Mayor’s Cup Tournament and the Cup having been delivered to us in good order do hereby, on behalf of the said Club and individually and collectively engage to return the Cup to the Authority (LBTH) on or before the 31 March 2026 in good order and condition in accordance with the Rules of the Competition to which we also have subscribed our respective names provided always that if the said Cup is destroyed or damaged by fire or by any other cause or lost whilst in our care we agree to refund to the Authority (LBTH) the amount of its value or the cost of thorough repair as the case may be.

Failure to return the Cup by the due date will result in a charge for the trophy or a replacement being incurred by the Club from the Authority (LBTH)