Eligible are persons who, according to the regulations of their home association and FIFA, can issue a player's permit for the participating club, a municipality or a representative team. The player passport and, if applicable, an identity card (date of birth) must be brought along and presented on request.

Players born on or after 01/01/2005 may play in the U18/U19 age group.
Players born on or after 01/01/2007 may play in the U16/U17 age group.
Players born on or after 01/01/2009 may play in the U14/U15 age group.
Players born on or after 01/01/2011 may play in the U12/U13 age group.
Players born on or after 01.01.2013 are allowed to play in the age group U10/U11

The estimated playing time for all games is 2 x 20 minutes. There will be a short drinking break and a change of sides at half time. Coaching during the break is not allowed.

During the game it is allowed to substitute players at any time. But the players must leave the field in the coach's zone near the center line and the substitutes enter the field in the same area. (Exception: injuries)

In case of equal points in group matches, the goal difference decides. If the goal difference is equal, the number of goals scored decides. If these are also equal, then the direct comparison between the teams decides. If this is also equal, the winner will be determined by random draw.

If no winner is determined in the knockout matches (e.g. round of 16) and no winner is determined in the placement matches after regular playing time, the winner is determined by penalty shootout without overtime. First, three shooters per team compete against each other. If no winner is determined after three penalty rounds, each team will take another penalty until a winner is determined. All players are eligible to be penalty shooters, regardless of whether they are on the field at the end of the game or are substituted at the end. No player may take two penalty kicks until all of his teammates have taken a penalty.

If a team is late (5 minutes after the official start of the game) or does not appear, the game is considered lost with 0:2 goals and won by the opponent with 2:0 goals. If a team is late without being responsible for it, the tournament management will decide whether the game will be postponed. If a team causes a match to be cancelled, the match is also considered lost with 0:2 and won by the opponent with 2:0 goals. This also applies in case of gross unsportsmanlike conduct off the field. The tournament committee will decide if the team in question will be excluded from the rest of the tournament.

If matches are cancelled due to weather conditions and cannot be made up on the scheduled tournament days due to scheduling reasons, the results of these matches will be randomly selected (2:0 or 0:2). This only applies in case of a tournament interruption, not in case of a tournament cancellation.

It is necessary to fill out a player list. Each team must submit this list to the tournament management at the tournament check-in on the first day of the tournament.
Players may only play for one team. If a club participates with several teams, the players must be firmly assigned to a specific team. Exceptions to this rule (e.g. due to injuries) must be approved by the tournament management.

The U15, U17 and U19 play on a large field with 10 field players and a goalkeeper. The U13 plays with 8 field players and a goalkeeper on a 70 x 50 meter field with 5-meter goals. U10/U11 plays on a small field with 6 field players and 1 goalkeeper. Each team may bring as many substitutes as they wish.

The first named team has the kick-off. The second team has the right to choose the side of the field. The kick-off may only be taken by one player and can be played backwards with the first contact.

The referee has the right to impose the following penalties for foul play, unsportsmanlike conduct or other illegal offenses:
- 5-minute penalty (yellow card)
- Send (red card)
- A time penalty is imposed by the yellow card.
If a player is sent off (red card), he is automatically suspended for the next match. It is at the discretion of the tournament management to impose a higher penalty. In case of serious disciplinary violations (also outside the tournament matches), the tournament management may exclude the player concerned from the tournament.
The GFF Committee asks all teams to be fair and courteous in their dealings with each other and the referees and to respect their decisions.

If two teams have the same jersey color, the first named team must wear appropriate alternate jerseys or shirts, which will be handed out by tournament management. Players must bring shoes for grass and artificial turf fields to the tournament. Wearing soccer shoes with tacky cleats on artificial turf is not permitted. You may wear either round cleats (studs) or astro (multi). In the event of an infraction, tournament management and the referee have the right to exclude the player in question from the game. Wearing shin guards is mandatory to prevent injuries.
Wearing shin guards is mandatory to prevent injuries.

By participating in the German Football Festival, all clubs accept the rules. Any violation can lead to exclusion from the tournament. All clubs are responsible for their own clothing and belongings.
The organizer declines any liability for possible loss or damage of brought items. If you have any further questions, please contact the tournament management.

An appeal must be submitted to the tournament management within 15 minutes after the end of the match. The consequences of the appeal are the responsibility of the tournament management. The GFF Committee does not accept appeals against decisions of the referees.