It is necessary to fill out a sheet containing the information of your players. Every team needs to bring this list to the tournament check-in at the tournament committee on Thursday, 14. April 2022.
Players are only allowed to play for one team. If a club takes part with several teams, the players must be firmly assigned to one specific team. Exceptions to this rule (e.g. due to injuries) must be approved by the tournament committee.

Players born on or after 01.01.2003 are allowed to play in the age group U18/U19.
Players born on or after 01.01.2005 are allowed to play in the age group U16/U17.
Players born on or after 01.01.2007 are allowed to play in the age group U14/U15.
Players born on or after 01.01.2009 are allowed to play in the age group U12/U13.
Players born on or after the 01.01.2011 are allowed to play in the age group U10/U11.

The U15s, U17s & U19s play on a big pitch with 10 outfield players plus a goalkeeper. The U13 plays with 8 outfield players plus a goalkeeper on a 70 x 50 meter pitch with 5 meter goals. The U10s/U11s play on a small field with 6 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper. Each team is allowed to bring as many substitution players as they like to.

The expected playing time for all games is 2 x 20 minutes. In the halftime there is a short drinking break and a change of sides. Coaching in the break is not allowed.

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

During the game it is allowed to substitute players at any time. But the players have to leave the field in the coaching zone close to the halfway line and the substitutes enter the field in the same area. (exception: injuries)

The referee has the right to award the following penalties for foul play, unsportsmanlike conduct or other illegal offenses:
- 5-minute penalty (yellow card)
- sending off (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 committee to impose a higher penalty. In case of serious disciplinary offenses (also outside of the tournament matches), the tournament committee may exclude the player concerned from the tournament.

The GFF committee calls on all teams to be fair and polite when interacting with each other and with the referees and respect their decisions.

In case of the same number of points during group matches, the goal difference decides. If the goal difference is the same, the number of goals scored decides. If these are also the same, then the direct comparison between the teams decides. If this is also the same, then the winner will be randomly selected.

If no winner is determined in the knock-out matches (e.g. round of last sixteen) and no winner has been determined in the placement matches after the regular playing time, the winner is determined by a penalty shoot-out without extra time. First, three shooters per team compete against each other. If no winner has been determined after three penalties, a further penalty is taken by each team until a winner has been determined. All players are eligible as penalty takers, whether they are on the pitch at the end of the match or are substitutes at the end. No player may take two penalty kicks until all his team-mates have had a penalty.

If a team arrives late (5 minutes after the official start of the match) or does not appear, the match is considered lost by 0:2 goals and won by the opponent by 2:0 goals. If a team is late without being responsible for it, the tournament committee decides whether the match is to be rescheduled. Should a team cause the match to be cancelled, the match is also considered lost by 0:2 and won by the opponent by 2:0 goals. This also applies to gross unsportsmanlike conduct away from the pitch. The tournament committee decides whether to exclude the team in question from the rest of tournament.

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

If two teams have the same jersey color, the first-mentioned team must wear appropriate replacement jerseys or shirts, which are handed out by the tournament committee. Players must bring shoes for grass and artificial turf pitches to the tournament. Wearing football boots with corny studs on artificial turf is not permitted. They can either wear round studs (cleats) or astro (multi).

In the event of an infringement, the tournament committee and the referee are authorized to exclude the player concerned from the match. The wearing of shin pads is compulsory to prevent injuries.

An appeal must be submitted to the tournament committee within 15 minutes after the end of the match. The consequences of the appeal lie within the jurisdiction of the tournament committee. The GFF-Committee does not accept appeals against decisions of the referees.

By taking part in the German Football Festival all clubs acknowledge the rules. Any infringement can cause an exclusion from the tournament. All clubs are responsible for their own clothing and items. The organizer rejects any liability for possible loss of or damage to any brought items. If you have any further questions, please contact the tournament committee.