FC PRO OPEN GLOBAL QUALIFIER EVENT RULES

1. OVERVIEW

These Event Rules govern the FC Pro Open Global Qualifiers 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 Global Qualifier (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.

• Live Event: A physical, in-person Event conducted at a designated venue as part of the FC Pro ecosystem.

• 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.

• GSL Bracket: A group format in which four (4) Competitors are placed into a group. Each group is played using a double-elimination structure, with Competitors beginning in the Upper Bracket and, upon their first loss, moving to the Lower Bracket. Two (2) Competitors advance (the winner and runner-up), and two (2) Competitors are eliminated.

• Double Elimination Bracket: A tournament structure in which Competitors are eliminated only after incurring two (2) Match losses. Competitors initially compete in the Upper Bracket. Upon their first loss, they are placed into the Lower Bracket. A Competitor who advances through the Lower Bracket to the Lower Bracket Final may, upon victory, progress to the Grand Final.

• Upper Bracket: The portion of a Double Elimination Bracket (or a GSL Bracket group) in which Competitors begin the tournament and remain until their first Match loss.

• Lower Bracket: The portion of a Double Elimination Bracket (or a GSL Bracket group) in which Competitors are placed after their first Match loss and in which a second Match loss results in elimination from the Event.

• Tiebreaker: A procedure established by Event Officials to resolve a tie in Swiss standings when Competitors’ records are identical.

• Media Day: The designated day prior to a Live Event reserved for media appearances, interviews, content capture, and promotional obligations.

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 Participant: Any individual competing in or officially supporting a Competitor during an Event, including but not limited to Competitors and Coaches. Event Participants are subject to all obligations and restrictions set forth in these Event Rules and the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

• 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.

• Player Care Team: The designated staff responsible for event-related logistics, player services, and communications, including through Discord.

• Competition Broadcast Crew: The designated staff responsible for producing live coverage of the Event, including interviews and content capture.

2.4. Platforms and Tools

• EA Account: A game account provided by Electronic Arts for the sole purpose of competitive play in Events. EA Accounts may only be used as directed by Event Officials, in accordance with these Event Rules and the Official Rules.

• Draft Website: The official online platform (https://draft.fcpro.com/) where Competitors must log in to create and submit their Drafted Squad for the Event.

• Discord: The third-party online communication platform designated for official Event communications and support, including communication with the Player Care Team.

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.

• Drafted Squad: The squad built by a Competitor using the Draft Website, including the starting eleven (11), substitutes, squad order, and formation, which must then be replicated in-Game.

• Hosting: The designation of which Competitor is assigned to act as the in-game host for a Match, determined by Event Officials based on seeding.

• Match Area: The designated area of the venue specifically reserved for competitive play, as determined by Event Officials.

• 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 appear for a scheduled Match within the time designated by Event Officials.

• Disqualification: The removal of a Competitor from an Event by an Event Official, whether for misconduct, rule violations, or other grounds as provided herein.

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

Competitors qualify for this Event through the pathways set forth in Section 4.2.3 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules. These include:

• Direct invitations for Competitors who finished 5th to 16th in the 2024-2025 FC Pro Open Live Event.

• Forty-eight (48) Competitors qualified via the Regional Qualifiers.

• Four (4) additional Competitors qualified through the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier Last Chance Qualifier

4. EVENT FORMAT

4.1. Schedule

The Event shall be conducted across two (2) consecutive days, on November 1 and November 2, 2025.

4.1.1. Day One – Swiss Format

All Competitors shall participate in a Swiss Format group competition.

The Swiss Format shall consist of five (5) rounds.

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

At the conclusion of the Swiss Format, the top thirty-two (32) Competitors shall advance to Day Two.

4.1.1.1. Tiebreakers

If Competitors are tied in their ranking at the end of the Swiss-system tournament, ties shall be broken using the following methods, in descending order of priority:

• Median Bucholz (Strength of Schedule Score):

  • A Competitor’s Strength of Schedule Score is the sum of wins earned by the middle three (3) of their opponents, excluding the opponents with the most and least wins. The Competitor with the higher Strength of Schedule Score is considered the higher seed.

• Better goal difference across all Swiss matches.

• Most goals scored across all Swiss matches.

4.1.2. Day Two – GSL Brackets

The thirty-two (32) advancing Competitors shall be divided into four (4) GSL Brackets of eight (8) Competitors each.

Each GSL Bracket shall be played using a double-elimination structure.

Two (2) Competitors from each group (one winner and one runner-up) shall advance.

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

The sixteen (16) advancing Competitors (top two from each group) shall qualify for the FC Pro Open, as set forth in Section 4.2.3 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

4.2. Draft Requirements

Competitors must log into the Draft Website and create a Drafted Squad by the deadline communicated by Event Officials.

A Drafted Squad must include starting eleven (11), substitutes, squad order, and formation.

Any Competitor who fails to submit a Drafted Squad by the deadline shall be assigned a default squad.

For each Match, Competitors must build their in-Game squad to replicate their Drafted Squad.

4.3. Seeding

Round One of the Swiss Format shall be seeded based on the FC Pro World Rankings.

Seeding for subsequent Swiss rounds shall follow standard Swiss pairing logic.

Seeding for the GSL Brackets shall be based on the final standings of the Swiss Format.

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

5. MATCH RULES

5.1. Match Setup

5.1.1. Game Settings

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

5.1.1.1. Basic Settings

• Data Center: Direct

• Start Time: 0

• Home Score: 0

• Away Score: 0

• Leg: First.

5.1.1.2. Advanced Settings

• First Ball Possession: Home

• Game 1 Tiebreaker: Extra Time.

5.1.1.3. Default Gameplay Settings

• Half Length: 9 minutes

• Stadium: UT Stadium

• Ball: FC Pro Ball.

Event Officials may amend or adjust settings as necessary.

5.1.2. Hosting

Hosting rights for each Match shall be awarded to the higher-seeded Competitor, as determined by Event Officials.

In Swiss Format rounds, the higher seed shall be the Competitor ranked higher in the standings at the time of the Match.

In GSL Brackets, the higher seed shall be determined by placement in the bracket (displayed either on the left side of the matchup or at the top of the bracket).

Competitors must follow the hosting designation provided by Event Officials.

Failure to comply with hosting assignments may result in penalties, including but not limited to a Match restart or Match loss, at the discretion of Event Officials.

5.1.3. Kit Selection

In the event of an in-game kit clash, the higher-seeded Competitor shall have priority in kit selection.

Competitors must comply with Event Officials’ instructions to resolve kit clashes promptly.

Failure to comply may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.2. During Play

5.2.1. Match Procedure

Competitors must be ready to play at the scheduled time.

Disputes must be raised on-site with Event Officials without delay.

5.2.2. 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.

5.2.3. Technical Issues and Disconnections

In the event of technical issues (e.g., console, display, or network failures), Event Officials will determine whether the Match shall be restarted, resumed, or otherwise resolved.

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.

5.2.4. Forfeits and No Shows

A Competitor who fails to appear for a scheduled Match 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.

5.2.5. Disputes

Any dispute regarding a Match must be reported immediately to an Event Official on-site.

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.

5.3. Equipment & Environment

5.3.1. Controllers

All controllers must remain wired at all times; wireless use is not permitted.

Competitors are encouraged to bring their own controllers for use during the Competition.

All controllers must be reviewed and approved by Event Officials prior to use during an Event.

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

Any controller 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 controller is functioning properly prior to the start of each Match.

5.3.2. Personal Devices

Competitors may not possess personal communication devices (including smartphones, tablets, or any items capable of mobile communication) while actively engaged in a Match.

An exception is permitted if the device is used solely for listening to music via in-ear monitors (see “Headphones and IEMs” below).

Event Officials will provide a storage area for all personal items.

Failure to comply with this rule may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.3.3. Match Area

While inside the Match Area, Competitors and Coaches may only interact with equipment approved for gameplay (controllers, peripherals, or devices expressly permitted by Event Officials).

Competitors are not permitted to interact with any member of the audience or event crew for the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage.

Food and drink are prohibited in the Match Area. Only water, in Event Official–provided vessels, is permitted.

Competitors must treat all Event-provided equipment with care, including consoles, monitors, controllers, headsets, chairs, desks, and any other hardware or furniture placed in the Match Area by Event Officials.

Deliberate damage, tampering, or negligent breakage of any such equipment may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

Possession or use of unauthorized devices in the Match Area may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.3.4. Headphones and In-Ear Monitors (IEMs)

Competitors may use personal in-ear monitors (“IEMs”) solely for the purpose of listening to music.

If IEMs are used, Competitors must cover them with an Event Official–provided pair of headphones, if such headphones are provided.

Failure to comply with this rule may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

5.4. Oversight

5.4.1. 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.

5.4.2. Communication

All match-related issues must be communicated immediately to Event Officials on-site. Competitors are required to raise disputes, technical issues, or rule concerns without delay so that they may be resolved promptly

All event-related communication (including schedules, logistics, travel, or player services) shall be directed to the Player Care team.

Discord will serve as the primary tool for Player Care communication. Competitors must ensure they are connected to the designated Event Discord server and remain reachable throughout the duration of the Event.

Failure to follow the proper communication channels may result in delays to match play or, in severe cases, penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

6. EVENT PARTICIPANT OBLIGATIONS

Competitors competing in a Live Event are required to adhere to the following:

• Be available to the media during each Live Event.

• Attend Media Day prior to each Live Event.

• Comply with all pre-match obligations as communicated by Event Officials, including, but not limited to, media appearances, interviews, or further discussion of match matters.

• Join the relevant Discord server for certain tournaments, as designated by Event Officials, and remain accessible to Event staff.

• Be available for an interview with the Competition broadcast crew for at least thirty (30) minutes following the end of each Live Event day.

• Winners from a Live Event may also be required to participate in a media session for up to one (1) hour following the end of the competition.

• Attire Requirements: Competitors must wear full-length trousers and closed-toe shoes during the Event. Shorts and open-toe shoes are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with attire requirements may result in penalties under Section A6 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules.

6.1. Flags

Competitors and Coaches acknowledge that they are not permitted to display the flags of any countries anywhere on their person, including on clothing and apparel.

Physical flags may not be brought into the tournament venue.

Any physical flags attempted to be brought to the tournament venue will be confiscated, and any displays of flags otherwise will be covered up by the Event Officials.

6.2. Account Usage

Competitors will be provided with EA Accounts for competitive play, for the sole purpose of taking part in Events.

Competitors may not:

• Use a provided account outside of active event days.

• Use the account for any function outside of playing a Match in the Event or creating and/or editing their squad for upcoming Matches in the Event.

• Share the account, login details, or information with any other individual(s), including but not limited to Coaches or other Competitors.

Prior to the event days, Competitor accounts will have access to their respective EA account which they may only use for practice ahead of the Event.

The accounts provided will be limited with items from a Competitor’s Drafted Squad. The player items from EA shall only be used by Competitors in the in-Game Ultimate Team game mode in the dedicated 1v1 FC Pro Mode. If these items are used by a Competitor in any other mode, they  will be removed from the account and such items will not be reissued.

It is the Competitors’ responsibility to configure their account to their preferences, including the creation of their squad and account settings.

Competitors must ensure they do not access accounts that have not been given to them specifically.

7. PLAYER CONDUCT

7.1. 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.

7.2. 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 5.11 (Communication).

• Hosting requirements under Section 5.10 (Hosting).

• Obligations under Section 6 (Event Participant Obligations).

7.3. Authority of Event Officials

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.

8. GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.1. 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.

8.2. 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.

8.3. 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.

8.4. 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.

8.5. Language

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

APPENDIX A - Event Schedule

APPENDIX B – Prizing

Prizing for the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier shall be awarded as set forth in Appendix C2 of the FC Pro 26 Official Rules. For convenience, the prize breakdown is reproduced below. In the event of any conflict, the FC Pro 26 Official Rules shall govern.

Total Prize Pool: $152,000