Rules and Regulations

This page has been updated as of October 15th, 2026, and some information is subject to change at the discretion of Legends Sevens.

In the event that information is modified, the date above will be updated, the date of the previous update will be noted, and a brief summary of recent updates will be listed above the Page Index.

PAGE INDEX

LEAGUE FORMAT (All divisions)
ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
BORROWING PLAYERS & THE 5/3 RULE
MATCH FORMAT & PROCEDURES
DISCIPLINE

(1) LEAGUE FORMAT

For the 2026-2027 season, Legends Sevens will be comprised of 64 teams divided into eleven (11) divisions of varying calibre, age, and gender.

Each division will play a Fall Season (mid-October – late-January) and a Spring season (late-January – mid-May). Divisional formats differ and are explained further below.

MegaDome (Sundays) – OT 35 Divisions 1 & 2 and OT45 Divisions 1 & 2

Each division consists of five (5) teams. Each team will play the opponents in its division twice, and once against two (2) teams from the other division for a total of ten (10) matches.

The Top 4 teams from each division will enter the playoff rounds where the #1 ranked team will play the #4 ranked team, and the #2 ranked team will play the #3 ranked team in two-game, aggregate goals series. The semi-final series winning teams will play in one-game final.

Teams finishing in fifth place will not have any further matches until the Spring Season begins.

Depending on team results in each division, Legends Sevens reserve the right to adjust the divisions as needed via promotion/relegation for the Spring Season.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

MegaDome (Sundays) – OT35 Division 3

This division will consist of four (4) teams. Each team will play two of the opponents in its division three (3) times, and one opponent four (4) times for a total of ten (10) matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds where the #1 ranked team will play the #4 ranked team, and the #2 ranked team will play the #3 ranked team in two-game, aggregate goals series. The semi-final series winning teams will play in one-game final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Fridays) – Men’s OT35 Division 1

This division will consist of six (6) teams. Each team will play the opponents in its division twice for a total of 10 matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds and every match-up will consist of a one-game elimination. The #1 and # 2 ranked teams will earn a BYE into the semi-finals.

The quarter-final round will have the #3 ranked team playing the #6 ranked team, and the #4 ranked team playing the #5 ranked team. The winners of the quarter-final matches will advance to the semi-finals where the winner of 3vs6 will play the #2 ranked team, and the winner of 4vs5 will play the #1 ranked team. The semi-final winners will play for the final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Fridays) – Women’s OT30 & OT40 Divisions

Each division will consist of four (4) teams. Each team will play its divisional opponents three (3) times, and one opponent from the opposite division once for a total of ten (10) matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds where the #1 ranked team will play the #4 ranked team, and the #2 ranked team will play the #3 ranked team in two-game, aggregate goals series. The semi-final series winning teams will play in one-game final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Sundays) – Men’s OT35 Division 2

This division will consist of four (4) teams. Each team will play two of the opponents in its division three (3) times, and one opponent four (4) times for a total of ten (10) matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds where the #1 ranked team will play the #4 ranked team, and the #2 ranked team will play the #3 ranked team in two-game, aggregate goals series. The semi-final series winning teams will play in one-game final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Sundays) – Men’s OT50 (Masters) Division 1

This division will consist of eight (8) teams. Each team will play four of its divisional opponents once and three of its divisional opponents twice for a total of ten (10) matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds and every match-up will consist of a one-game elimination.

The quarter-finals will consist of the #1 ranked team playing the #8 ranked team, the #2 ranked playing the #7 ranked team, the #3 ranked team playing the #6 ranked team, and the #4 ranked team playing the #5 ranked team. Quarter-final winners will advance to the Semi-Finals, and the Semi-Final winners will advance to the Final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Sundays) – Women’s Open Recreation Division 1

This division will consist of six (6) teams. Each team will play the opponents in its division twice for a total of 10 matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds and every match-up will consist of a one-game elimination. The #1 and # 2 ranked teams will earn a BYE into the semi-finals.

The quarter-final round will have the #3 ranked team playing the #6 ranked team, and the #4 ranked team playing the #5 ranked team. The winners of the quarter-final matches will advance to the semi-finals where the winner of 3vs6 will play the #2 ranked team, and the winner of 4vs5 will play the #1 ranked team. The semi-final winners will play for the final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

Thunderbird Dome (Sundays) – Women’s Open Recreation Division 2

This division will consist of eight (8) teams. Each team will play four of its divisional opponents once and three of its divisional opponents twice for a total of ten (10) matches.

All teams will enter the playoff rounds and every match-up will consist of a one-game elimination.

The quarter-finals will consist of the #1 ranked team playing the #8 ranked team, the #2 ranked playing the #7 ranked team, the #3 ranked team playing the #6 ranked team, and the #4 ranked team playing the #5 ranked team. Quarter-final winners will advance to the Semi-Finals, and the Semi-Final winners will advance to the Final.

Tie-breaking procedures for regular season standings and playoff matches further below.

League Tie-Breaking Procedures

Victories are worth three (3) points, draws are worth one (1) point, and losses are worth zero (0) points.

If two or more teams have an equal number of points at the end of the regular season, the following terms will be used to break the tie:

Team with the better Head-to-Head record
Team with the best overall goal difference (+/-)
Team with the most goals scored overall
Team with the better goal difference in Head-to-Head matches
A coin flip.

Forfeited matches will result in a 5 – 0 victory for the non-offending team. Teams forfeiting matches without notifying the league by 12-noon on the day of the game will be subjected to $100 team fine payable before its next match. Every instance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and considerations may be taken to nullify the fine (i.e., extreme weather).

Subsequent forfeits may result in further sanctions at the league’s discretion.

Playoff Tie-Breaking Procedures

Extra-time (and penalties, if necessary) will be used to break ties in the playoffs. Extra-time will consist of a full 5-minute period with penalty kicks following the traditional FIFA model of five shooters per team. If still tied, teams will assign a new kick taker until a winner is determined. All eligible players, including goalkeepers, must attempt a shot before a player may take their second attempt.

(2) ROSTERS & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Please note that some eligibility rules are specific to division

1. No player may be registered to more than one team within any division, however can be registered with multiple teams in different divisions as long as eligibility requirements allow.

2. Maximum roster size per team is 18 registered players.

a. A registered player is any player signed to a roster at least 48 hours before the team’s next match.

b. All players MUST have *valid photo identification with them for every game. A team manager may request from the referee that any opposing player(s) produce the valid identification, if there is any doubt of one's eligibility. If the player(s) is deemed ineligible, disciplinary action towards the player and the team manager will follow per Ontario Soccer standards.

*Valid means that the names are in English or French, legible, and the photo is clearly of the person producing the ID.

c. If a player shows up to their game late, they must be fully dressed and ready to play upon the kickoff whistle of the second half, otherwise they are deemed ineligible.

d. Teams are not to exceed the roster limit. Legends Sevens encourages the borrowing of player(s) if they meet the necessary criteria for that specific team and division. Borrowing rules listed further below.

e. In the event of a long-term injury/absence to a registered player, they may be removed and replaced by a newly registered player. In any case, the roster cannot exceed 18 players.

2. Unregistered players are ineligible, and if caught playing illegally, both the player(s) and the team manager will face disciplinary action according to Ontario Soccer regulations.

3. Age requirements for divisions;

Open Divisions, players must be 16 years of age by May 16^th, 2027.

For OT30, players must be 30 years of age by May 16^th, 2027.

For OT35, players must be 35 years of age by May 16^th, 2027.

For OT40, players must be 40 years of age by May 16^th, 2027.

For OT45, players must be 45 years of age by May 16^th, 2027. (Some exceptions apply)

For OT50, players must be 50 years of age by May 16^th, 2027.

4. Teams must have a minimum of five (5) players dressed for their games to avoid forfeit. Teams may borrow players from other teams if they meet the divisional eligibility requirements. Please see section below for the full borrowing rules.

5. During the playoffs, teams must only play with players registered to their team. There will be no borrowing of players, except for goalkeepers.

(3) BORROWING PLAYERS & THE 5/3 RULE

At times, teams will be shorthanded due to injuries, illnesses, or other factors. As such, we allow teams to borrow players from other teams. Many of the rules associated with the loaned players are division specific. Please read carefully and if you require clarification, ask.

Players can be borrowed from other teams during the regular season only. During the playoffs, teams must only play with players registered to their team. There will be no borrowing of players, except for goalkeepers.

A Team May Borrow a Player Under the Following Conditions:

It has less than 10 of its registered players dressed for a game (less than 3 substitutes).
Teams must have a minimum of five (5) of its registered players or else forfeit the match 5-0 in favour of its opponent.
Teams cannot borrow if they exceed 10 players. (Examples below)
- Teams with 8 of its players can only borrow up to 2 players.
- Teams with 6 of its players can only borrow up to 4 players.
Teams cannot borrow more than five (5) players.
Teams that have borrowed up to the maximum and are currently playing with 10 players;
- If before the second half kicks off, any additional registered players from that team’s roster arrive, increasing the size to 11+ players, the same number of borrowed player(s) from the game must be removed from the game by the time the regulars have put on their jersey on the sidelines.
The team manager (or designated representative) must ensure that any players borrowed have their full name clearly written on the game sheets
Any violations of the conditions above will be subject to disciplinary measures against the team manager, and potentially against the player (s) involved.

The 5/3 Rule – Players May Be Borrowed by Other Teams Under the Following Conditions:

They are in good standing within the league (they are officially registered, not suspended or pending disciplinary action)
The player may play up to but no more than five (5) times as a borrowed player in each of the Fall Season and the Spring Season (the count resets to zero once the Spring Season kicks off)
The player may play up to but no more than three (3) times for one team as a borrowed player in each of the Fall Season and the Spring Season (the count resets to zero once the Spring Season kicks off)
The player must not breach any of the borrowing restrictions in the next section.
Any violations of the conditions above will be subject to disciplinary measures against the player, and potentially against the team(s) involved.

Borrowing Restrictions:

We have created a chart to facilitate eligibility and restrictions.

Goalkeepers are exempt from the above and can be borrowed between teams in different divisions regardless of roster size, skill level or age requirement, however gender-specific restrictions apply.

Note that some players are registered to multiple rosters in varying divisions, so their specific eligibility will vary as well.

(4) MATCH FORMAT & PROCEDURES

All matches will be 50-minute contests consisting of two 25-minute halves with a two-minute to five-minute halftime break.
If necessary, halves (and/or halftime) may be shortened to accommodate scheduling delays.
Where a score clock is not available, or becomes disabled, the referee will be the official timekeeper of the match.

Managers (or designated team representative) must provide two (2) game sheets to the referee before kickoff. Game sheets MUST include the names of ALL players participating in the game and their correct jersey number. This also includes any borrowed players.

Teams must be ready to kick off no later than five (5) minutes after their scheduled start time or risk forfeiting the match to their opponent.

All teams must have a minimum of 5 players (4 players and a goalkeeper) to be eligible to play or else will forfeit the match 5-0 to their opponent and be subjected to a fine. A team may borrow players from other teams (see Borrowing Players section for eligibility)

Teams that have league-provided jerseys must wear these for all matches. Borrowed players must play with a jersey of the same (or resembling) colour as the team they are playing with. It cannot clash with their opponents.

Each team has been provided (or will be by the first game) with a match ball and is expected to bring it to every game. Lost or stolen match balls will not be replaced under any circumstances.

(5) DISCIPLINE

To curb unsporting behavior, we are implementing more punitive measures for the 2026-2027 season. Our recent sanctioning with Ontario Soccer via West Ottawa Soccer Club allows us to provide a more regimented process for the most serious matters.

Yellow and red cards will accumulate aggregately, over the fall season (October – January) and the spring season (January -May) and players reaching specific thresholds as indicated in the table below will be subjected to its corresponding penalty. To clarify, any cards received by a player will accumulate from October to May, including any playoffs and consolation matches.

Please Note: Yellow cards cannot be appealed. A red card consisting of two yellows cannot be appealed. A straight red card can be appealed subject to the Ontario Soccer guidelines. See the table below for further information.

Some incidents will incur Discipline by Review (DBR) which is a process used to determine the appropriate disciplinary action for misconduct. A DBR panel consists of a minimum of three members who review the misconduct report and assess whether the charge is warranted. The player is not present for this process.

If the panel determines that the charge is appropriate and no hearing is required, it will render a decision and impose the applicable penalty. For charges that require a hearing, the panel will take the necessary steps to arrange and schedule the hearing.

Once a decision has been reached, the panel will notify the Club and Team Officials with whom the player is registered. It is the responsibility of these officials to communicate the decision to the player. The notification will include the specific offence committed, the penalty assessed, and the suspension dates, where applicable.

Decisions rendered through the Discipline by Review process are final and are not subject to appeal.

Discipline by Hearing (DBH) is a process whereby a panel of at least three members reviews a misconduct report and determines the appropriate penalty after hearing from the player involved. The player and a team representative must attend and may present witnesses. Unless otherwise specified, this hearing will be done via video call. The panel Chair must have completed the OSA Discipline and Appeals Chairs Course.

The most severe offences are automatically assigned to the DBH process.

Hearing requests must be submitted in writing within 72 hours of the incident and accompanied by a $100 fee, payable by e-transfer to LegendsSevens@gmail.com The fee will be refunded if the player is found not guilty or if the charge is reduced.

A player may waive their right to a hearing by submitting a written guilty plea no later than four (4) days before the scheduled hearing. By doing so, the player accepts the maximum applicable penalty, and the decision is final and not subject to appeal.

A player who fails to attend a scheduled hearing will be suspended until a hearing is held. To reschedule, the player must submit a hearing request and pay a $100 administrative fee.

Once the punitive actions have been confirmed, via any of the methods above, the player(s) and their team manager(s) will be notified via email by Legends Sevens administration of the outcome. To all applicable instances, players must serve their full suspension and have their fine paid in full before being eligible to return to action.

For players who are registered to more than one team, if a suspension is given to the player for one team, they are also ineligible to play for their other team(s), or as a borrowed players, until the fine has been paid in full, and the suspension has been fully served with the offending team.

If the player is borrowed from another team and is given a yellow or red card, the cards will continue to accumulate on that player’s record, and the player will be subject to penalties in the table below.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION TABLE

(All fines payable to LegendsSevens@gmail.com)