RULES FOR SBA ESPORTS CUP ft EA SPORTS FC 26

1. General Provisions

IndexG Esports organizes the SBA Esports Cup, an inter-club championship in the game EA SPORTS FC 26. This competition brings together the best players in Africa and is played on PlayStation 5.

2. Acceptance of Regulations

By participating in the SBA Esports Cup, each participant unreservedly accepts all the stipulations of these regulations.

3. Eligibility Conditions

• The competition is open to players from all African nations.

• Minimum age for players: 16 years old at the start date of the championship.

4. Competition Format

4.1 Group Phase

• The competition is divided into four groups of 8 teams each.

• Matches are played in Best of One (BO1) between each of the players.

4.2 Coach / Manager

Each player is allowed to have only one coach present.

5. Game Rules

5.1 Match Settings

• Mode:

• Stadium: Ultimate Team

• Half-length: 9 minutes

• Controls: Any

• Game Speed: Normal

• Squad Type: Ultimate Team 

• All other settings must remain at default.

5.2 Ranking

The ranking is determined according to the following points system:

• 3 points for a win.

• 1 point for a draw.

5.3 Forfeits and Penalties

• A player declared forfeit loses with a score of 2-0.

• The winner of a match by forfeit keeps their goals scored if the number of goals is greater than 3.

5.4 Final Ranking

At the end of the group stage, a ranking is established considering the following criteria in order of priority:

1. Number of points obtained.

2. In case of a tie between two (2) teams: head-to-head results between the two teams.

3. In case of a tie between more than two teams:

• Number of victories (matches);

4. If all criteria above are equal, a tie-breaker match with potential penalty shootouts in case of 90 minute draw.

6. Knockout Stage

At the end of the group phase, the top two (2) players in each group shall proceed to the knockout stage.

The knockout stage shall be played in a single leg, double elimination format.

7. Officiating and Administration

7.1 Tournament Administrators

IndexG Esports appoints administrators responsible for managing the tournament and ensuring strict application of the regulations.

7.2 Match Results

Each match is supervised by an official referee, who is responsible for transmitting results and evidence (screenshots, videos) to the tournament administration.

• 10-minute delay: Automatic forfeit for player absence.

7.3 Organizer's Decisions

IndexG Esports reserves the right to impose disciplinary sanctions (ranging from a warning to definitive exclusion) in case of regulation violations or harmful behavior. Decisions are immediately applicable and binding for all participants.

8. Management of Disconnections and Pauses

8.1 Disconnections

• In case of involuntary disconnection, the match resumes with the same score and remaining time.

• If the disconnection is deemed voluntary, the offending player automatically loses the current round.

8.2 Pauses

• Each player can pause 3 times per match, only when the ball is out of play (throw-in, free kick, etc.).

• If a player receives a red card and has exhausted all pauses, they receive an additional 1 chance to make changes during the red card pause.

9. Communication and Calendar

Match dates and times will be communicated via a dedicated SBA Esports Cup WhatsApp group, social media, and the IndexG Esports and SBA Esports Cup websites.

10. Prohibited Behaviors

• Using software or devices to gain an unfair advantage.

• Unsportsmanlike behavior (harassment, discrimination, insults).

• Collusion between players, match-fixing, or prior agreements to guarantee a specific result.

• Unauthorized communication during matches.

• Using other players' accounts.

• Exchanging accounts with other players.

• Intentional disruption of an opponent's internet connection or server stability manipulation.

• Exploitation of game bugs or flaws for undue benefit.

• Manipulation of match results for betting in exchange for financial rewards.

• Corruption.

• Paying professional players to increase ranking.

• Any other illegal methods not mentioned.

11. Sanctions

The sanctions system applied by IndexG Esports includes four levels of penalties:

1. Verbal Warning

2. Official Warning

3. Forfeit Defeat

4. Disqualification

Note:

• Each level of sanction is applied automatically after two previous infractions. For example, receiving two verbal warnings leads to an official warning.

• Non-compliance can lead to any of the four levels depending on the severity and the judgment of the referee or organizers.

11.1 Verbal Warning (Caution)

Issued for:

1. Ignoring instructions from referees or officials.

2. Addressing referees or officials in a disrespectful tone.

3. Abusing the pause function or requesting timeouts without a valid reason.

11.2 Warning (Official Warning)

Issued for:

1. Receiving two verbal warnings.

11.3 Forfeit Defeat (Forfeiture)

A player is declared the loser by forfeit in the following cases:

• Receiving two official warnings.

• No-show or delay of more than 10 minutes after the scheduled time.

• Refusal to participate or abandoning a match.

• Direct insult toward a person (referee, official, opponent) with discriminatory or hate-inciting language.

• Repeatedly ignoring official instructions despite previous warnings.

11.4 Disqualification (Expulsion)

A player is definitively excluded for:

• Accumulating two forfeit defeats.

• Using highly offensive language with discriminatory or hate-inciting remarks via public chat.

• Match-fixing.

• Corruption or attempted bribery.

• Betting on tournament results.

• Threats toward referees, spectators, or other players.

• Cheating in any form.

• Fraud, including using a false identity or exploiting game bugs.

• Attempting to intentionally forfeit a match by no show while being proven to being in the match venue.

Note: These examples serve as references; sanctions may be adjusted based on the situation. The final decision rests with the referees and organizers.

12. Rule Modifications

These regulations apply to the SBA Esports Cup and may be modified in case of:

• Game updates requiring rule adaptation.

• Discovery of new factors influencing the game environment.

Referees and organizers have full authority to make decisions on any situation not expressly mentioned. Rule changes apply immediately after official notification.

TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN!

Check-in for the tournament and draw shall be held on September 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Only players at the check-in will be officially involved in the draw. An exception may only be given to a registered player who is proven to be on a flight or travel mode arriving later in the day, who will be pardoned.