On this page you will find our Five A Side Rules, information about our event format is set up to maximise your enjoyment of our Business Fives event, Each team will have the opportunity to make as many connections as possible on the day with fellow professionals and colleagues alike both on and off the pitch.

Round Robin Tournament Format

Round robin league with teams initially playing for position in Champions League, Europa League and ECL stages.

The tournament then progresses into separate knock out phases with winners of which will progress on to the Semi Final and latterly to the Final. Minimum of three teams will qualify for the national final from each event.

Players are reminded that they are representing their company and the tournament is to be played in a competitive but fair and courteous manner.

Max 8 players per team, mixed teams £495 + VAT (€545 for Euro Events) per team which includes:

  • Player Refreshment Station
  • Networking drinks reception and guest speakers
  • Minimum of 5 ten-minute games
  • Prizes for winning team, runner up, Man of the match in the final, top goal scorer, ladies player of the tournament, top fundraisers
  • Buffet for players after tournament
  • 10% entry fee donation to charity

Timings

13:45-14:30- Registration and Networking
14:30-17:00 – Tournament
17:00-18:00 – Drinks Reception, Buffet and Awards Presentation

General Rules

Here are the Five a Side Rules for teams taking part in Business Fives events:

  1. Teams must consist of at least 5 players, 1 goalkeeper and 4 outfield players
  2. Squads can consist of up to 8 players, rolling subs allowed during each match.
  3. Team entry costs £495 + VAT and fees must be paid prior to taking part. You may book online here.
  4. Matches will be independently refereed to the Five A Side Rules, there is a zero-tolerance policy for lack of respect towards referees.
  5. Spaces are limited at each event and teams are allocated on a first come first served basis.
  6. Players are required to register and sign a waiver at 2pm on the day of the event.
  7. Some matches are filmed and coverage shared on our social media feeds and twitter page, players should inform us if they do not wish to be filmed.
  8. Matches are played on a 3G surface and AstroTurf boots will be perfect, players can also wear moldies and blades, but metal studs are not permitted.

Five A Side Rules of Play

  1. Match length is ten minutes long, unless otherwise notified, and there is no change of ends.
  2. In the round robin stage 3 points will be awarded for a victory and one for a draw.
  3. Substitutions will be rolling throughout the game only when teams have the referees attention with one on, one off.
  4. Back passes to the keeper will only be permitted once the ball has touched 2 or more outfield players from the team.  A free kick will be awarded.
  5. All free kicks are direct.
  6. The keeper may not touch the ball outside of the D. A penalty will be awarded.
  7. The ball may be played above head height and headers are allowed.
  8. Slide tackles are not permitted.
  9. When someone scores, play will resume from the keeper.
  10. Outfield players are allowed in the goalkeeper’s area but may not touch the ball inside the D, if they do a penalty will be awarded against defensive players and a free kick against offensive players.
  11. Players may score from free kicks and defensive players must stand two yards from the ball.
  12. If the ball leaves the pitch, play will resume with a kick in.
  13. Players may not score direct from a kick in.
  14. Swearing at the referee is an automatic sending off offence.
  15. The referee’s decision is final. The referee may send off any player for verbal abuse.
  16. All players are advised to wear shinpads in the interest of health and safety. The onus is on the players to mitigate any potential risks involved in playing football and the organiser accepts no liability for any injuries that may occur on the field of play.
  17. A red card in any match will result in the player being excluded for the rest of the tournament.
  18. A yellow card means the player cannot play in the rest of that game but may be replaced by a team mate.
  19. Maximum squad size is 8 (five players and 3 subs)
  20. The event is open to any player who is 16 or over.
  21. If teams are not at the correct pitch 2 minutes before kickoff time, they will forfeit the game 3-0.
  22. For the knockout rounds sudden death penalties will decide any games that end in a draw.
  23. Round robin group positions will be decided by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then goals against, then the head-to-head result against that team in the group. In the unlikely event that teams are still equal when all this is taken into account, then progression to the knockout stages shall be settled with a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
  24. If a team receives more than 3 red or yellow cards this may lead to disqualification.
  25. The organiser reserves the right to remove any team from the tournament at any time for not adhering to the Five A Side Rules.