EA SPORTS FC PRO OPEN CUPS

EVENT RULES 

1. OVERVIEW

These Event Rules govern the FC Pro Open Cups as part of the FC Pro ecosystem, as defined in Section 1 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

These Event Rules are hereby incorporated by reference into, and shall be read together with, the FC Pro 26 Official Rules. In the event of any conflict, inconsistency, or ambiguity between the two, the provisions of these Event Rules shall supersede and control.

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of these Event Rules, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

2.1. Governing Documents

• Official Rules: The FC Pro 26 Official Rules, which apply to all FC Pro competitions and are incorporated herein by reference.

• Event Rules: These Event Rules governing the FC Pro Open Cups (the “Event”).

2.2. Competition Structure

• Event: A competitive tournament conducted as part of the FC Pro ecosystem, governed by both these Event Rules and the Official Rules.

• Swiss Format: A tournament structure in which Competitors are paired against others with similar match records in each round, with all Competitors playing the same predetermined number of rounds.

• Single Elimination Bracket: A tournament format in which Competitors are eliminated after a single Match loss.

• Tiebreaker: A procedure established by Event Officials to resolve a tie in Match results, standings, or seeding when Competitors’ records are identical.

2.3. Roles

• Competitor: Any individual who is registered for, and actively participating in, gameplay within an Event.

• Coach: Any individual designated to provide strategic or logistical assistance to a Competitor during an Event.

• Event Official: Any individual authorized by Electronic Arts to administer the Event and to make final and binding decisions regarding Event operations, rule interpretation, and enforcement.

2.4. Platforms and Tools

• Tournament Site: The online platform designated by Event Officials for Event registration, match administration, and official communications, including Battlefy.

• Battlefy: The third-party online tournament platform used to administer Matches and official Event procedures.

• Discord: The third-party online communication platform designated for official Event communications and support.

2.5. Match and Discipline Terms

• Match: A competitive fixture consisting of one (1) leg of gameplay, with two (2) halves of nine (9) minutes each, played within EA SPORTS FC 26.

• Check-In: The process by which Competitors confirm their intent to participate in an Event within a designated time period, for the purpose of finalizing the number of active participants.

• Forfeit: The loss of a Match or advancement opportunity due to a Competitor’s failure to appear, failure to comply with Event Rules, or other determination made by an Event Official.

• No Show: A Competitor’s failure to complete Check-In or appear for a scheduled Match within the time designated by Event Officials.

3. ELIGIBILITY

3.1. General Eligibility

Eligibility to participate in the Event shall be determined in accordance with the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

3.2. Qualification Requirement

To obtain qualification into the Event, a Competitor must have participated in the FC Pro Open Ladder and achieved a placement within the designated qualifying positions for their respective region, as set forth in Section 5.2.1 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

4. EVENT FORMAT

4.1. Schedule

Each Event shall be conducted across two (2) consecutive days on the following dates:

• November Cup: November 15 and November 16, 2025

• December Cup: December 20 and December 21, 2025

• January Cup: January 31 and February 1, 2026

4.1.1. Day One - Swiss Format

All eligible regions shall participate in a Swiss Format competition.

The number of rounds to be played shall be determined by Event Officials following completion of Check-In.

A Competitor shall be eliminated from the Swiss Format stage upon incurring three (3) Match losses.

All other Competitors shall continue play until the conclusion of all scheduled rounds.

At the conclusion of the Swiss Format, the top-ranked Competitors, as determined by the criteria below, shall advance to Day Two.

4.1.1.1. Tiebreakers

In the event that two (2) or more Competitors have identical records at the conclusion of the Swiss Format, standings shall be determined according to the following criteria, applied in order:

• Opponent Match-Win Percentage (OMW%) – The average match-win percentage of each Competitor’s opponents. A Competitor’s match-win percentage is calculated as that Competitor’s total match points divided by the total match points possible in those rounds. For purposes of this calculation, any match-win percentage lower than 0.33 shall be considered to be 0.33.

• Game-Win Percentage (GW%) – The percentage obtained by dividing the total number of game points earned by the total game points possible (generally three (3) times the number of games played). For purposes of this calculation, any game-win percentage lower than 0.33 shall be considered to be 0.33.

• Opponent’s Opponent Match-Win Percentage (OOW%) – The average match-win percentage of each Competitor’s opponents’ opponents, using the same calculation method and 0.33 floor described above.

• Default Sorting Order – Any additional sorting criteria as determined by Event Officials, provided such criteria are applied consistently and fairly across all Competitors.

4.1.2. Day Two - Single Elimination Bracket

All Competitors advancing from the Swiss Format shall participate in a Single Elimination Bracket.

A Competitor shall be eliminated from the Event upon incurring two (2) Match losses.

In the event of a draw after regular time, standard in-game tiebreaker rules (Extra Time and Penalties, if required) shall apply.

4.2. Check-In Procedure

All Competitors must complete Check-In within the time period designated by Event Officials prior to the commencement of Day One.

Failure to complete Check-In within the designated time shall result in the Competitor being deemed a No Show and subject to removal from the Event.

Upon completion of Check-In, Event Officials shall finalize the total number of active Competitors and determine the number of Swiss Format rounds to be played.

Event Officials shall have sole discretion to modify or extend Check-In deadlines in the event of technical issues, system errors, or other circumstances beyond a Competitor’s reasonable control.

4.3. Seeding

Initial seeding for the Swiss Format shall be determined by Event Officials, using results from the FC Pro Open Ladder as the primary basis.

Seeding for the Single Elimination Bracket shall be based on the final standings of the Swiss Format, as determined pursuant to Section 4.1.2.

Event Officials shall have sole discretion to resolve any disputes or anomalies in seeding, provided that such determinations are applied consistently and fairly across all Competitors.

5. MATCH RULES

5.1. Game Settings

All Matches shall be played using EA SPORTS FC 26 using the settings below.

5.1.1. Basic Settings

• Data Center: Direct

• Start Time: 0

• Home Score: 0

• Away Score: 0

• Leg: First

5.1.2. Advanced Settings

• First Ball Possession: Home

• Game 1 Tiebreaker: Extra Time

5.1.3. Default Gameplay Settings

• Half Length: 9 minutes

• Stadium: UT Stadium

• Ball: FC Pro Ball

Event Officials may amend or adjust settings as necessary.

5.2. Squad Restrictions

The in-game competitive mode automatically enforces squad restrictions. Competitors must build their squad in compliance with these rules:

• Exactly 0: 92 and Higher Rated OVR Items

• Max 5: 88 - 91 Rated OVR Items

• Max 1: Hero

• Max 1: ICON

• Min 4: Rare Gold Items

• Loan Items: Allowed

Competitors are responsible for ensuring their squad is built to meet these requirements in advance of the Event.

5.3. Match Procedure

Competitors must be ready at the scheduled time.

Each Competitor must confirm results immediately upon completion.

Disputes must be reported without delay.

5.3.1. Pauses

Each Competitor is permitted to pause the game a maximum of three (3) times per half. Pauses will only activate when the ball is out of play, and may not be abused for time-wasting or gamesmanship. Event Officials shall have discretion to issue penalties for improper or excessive pausing.

5.4. Technical Issues and Disconnects

If a disconnection occurs within the first ten (10) in-game minutes of a Match, the Match shall be restarted, unless otherwise determined by Event Officials.

If a disconnection occurs after the first ten (10) in-game minutes, the Match shall be resumed from the existing scoreline and approximate Match time, as determined by Event Officials.

Event Officials shall have sole discretion to determine whether a Match must be replayed, resumed, or forfeited in the event of disconnection, system error, or other technical issue.

5.5. Forfeits and No Shows

A Competitor who fails to appear for a scheduled Match within the time designated by Event Officials shall be deemed a No Show and shall Forfeit the Match.

A Forfeit shall result in the awarding of a win to the opposing Competitor. The scoreline for a Forfeit shall be recorded as determined by Event Officials.

Multiple No Shows or repeated Forfeits may result in Disqualification from the Event.

5.6. Officials' Authority

Event Officials shall oversee the conduct of all Matches and shall have full authority to interpret these Match Rules, resolve disputes, and impose penalties.

All decisions of Event Officials relating to Match outcomes, technical issues, or application of these rules shall be final and binding.

5.7. Permitted Equipment and Controllers

Competitors must use controllers that are officially licensed and compatible with the platform designated for the Event.

The use of macros, turbo functions, or any hardware or software modifications that provide a competitive advantage is strictly prohibited.

Wireless controllers may be permitted, provided they do not interfere with gameplay or Event operations. Event Officials reserve the right to require wired connections if interference or instability is detected.

Any equipment suspected of malfunctioning, tampering, or providing an unfair advantage may be inspected, tested, or disallowed by Event Officials at their sole discretion.

Competitors are solely responsible for ensuring their equipment is functioning properly prior to the start of each Match.

5.8. Hosting

Hosting rights for each Match shall be awarded to the higher-seeded Competitor, as determined by Event Officials. Competitors must follow hosting assignments as directed. Failure to follow this procedure may result in a penalty, including but not limited to a Match restart or Match loss, at the discretion of Event Officials.

5.9. Communication

The official communication channels for Events on Battlefy are the Battlefy Match Chat and the official Tournament Discord chat channels. Communications through any other channels for administrative decision-making shall not be monitored or reviewed.

Competitors are required to join and remain in the Tournament Discord server for the duration of the Event to ensure Event Officials can reach them. Competitors shall set their Discord nickname to match the Battlefy username used during registration on the Tournament Site.

Once Competitors have been paired for a Match, they must use the Battlefy Match Chat to exchange lobby codes and invites in order to set up their Match.

Competitors must link their Discord and Battlefy accounts to receive Discord support.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in penalties as set forth in Section A6 (Penalties) of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.10. Disputes

Competitors must use the “Report Match Issue” button on the Battlefy Match Page to report any issue.

Competitors must immediately contact an Event Official to report any violations of the Official Rules, including these Event Rules.

A Match’s final score shall stand if play continues beyond the first half with incorrect settings before an Event Official is contacted.

If Event Officials determine that a Competitor has violated the Official Rules and an automatic Match loss is applied, the opponent shall be awarded a win for that Match with either:

• a three (3) goal differential, or

• the goal differential (if the opponent was leading) at the time the issue was reported, whichever is greater.

False or bad-faith reporting may result in penalties under Section A6 (Penalties) of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.11. Connection

If paired Competitors are unable to successfully invite each other, they must contact Event Officials by clicking the “Report Match Issue” button on their Match Page and immediately take the following steps:

• Verify that the NAT type is OPEN in their console’s network settings.

• Restart their internet modems.

• Restart their routers (if applicable).

• Restart their consoles.

If connection issues arise during a Match and Competitors cannot reconnect, they must contact Event Officials immediately, complete the steps outlined above, and reconnect within ten (10) minutes. Failure to do so may result in a Match loss.

Competitors who cannot obtain an open NAT type may be locked out of matchmaking at the discretion of Event Officials.

If a Competitor experiences a disconnect, they must immediately take a screenshot and notify an Event Official in the Battlefy Match Chat. The Match shall then be restarted with the score and starting time as of the disconnect.

Competitors with repeated connection issues during the Event may be subject to penalties as set forth in Section A6 (Penalties) of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

6. PLAYER CONDUCT

6.1. Incorporation of Official Rules

All standards of player conduct, integrity, and fair play set forth in the FC Pro 26 Official Rules shall apply in full to this Event.

6.2. Event-Specific Requirements

In addition to the FC Pro 26 Official Rules, Competitors must comply with all Event-specific requirements outlined in these Event Rules, including but not limited to:

• Communication protocols under Section 5.8 (Communication).

• Hosting requirements under Section 5.7 (Hosting).

• Technical and connection responsibilities under Section 5.10 (Connection).

6.2. Event-Specific Requirements

Event Officials shall have authority to enforce the Player Conduct provisions of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules and these Event Rules, and to impose penalties as set forth in Section A6 (Penalties) of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

7. GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1. Amendments

Event Officials, in their sole discretion, may amend, update, or supplement these Event Rules at any time to ensure fair play and competitive integrity. Any such amendments shall be effective immediately upon publication and shall be communicated to Competitors through official channels.

7.2. Interpretation and Authority

Event Officials shall have final authority to interpret these Event Rules and to resolve any matters not specifically addressed herein. All such determinations shall be final and binding.

7.3. Governing Law

These Event Rules shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the same governing law provisions set forth in the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

7.4. Severability

If any provision of these Event Rules is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

7.5. Language

In the event of any discrepancy between translations of these Event Rules, the English version shall prevail and control.

APPENDIX A - Circuit Points

Each Swiss match win: 15 Points

Placement Points (Single Elimination Only)