EA SPORTS FC tournament rules
Last updated 24 October 2026
Based on the official EA SPORTS FC esports rules and adapted for Zenith events. The general tournament rules also apply, and where a tournament page sets its own details, the tournament page applies.
Format
- 1v1 on the current EA SPORTS FC. The tournament page shows the game mode, platform and whether cross-play is used.
- Each match is a single game of two halves. Group stages give 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss.
- In knockout matches, a draw goes to extra time and then penalties.
- Group ties are broken by goals scored, then head-to-head, goal difference between the tied players, goals scored between them, and finally a rematch.
Match settings
- Half length: 9 minutes, unless the tournament page says otherwise. Game 1 tiebreaker: extra time.
- Home team kicks off. The higher seed hosts in knockout matches; in groups the organisers set who hosts.
- Kit clashes: the home player has priority.
- Play on a wired controller and connection. Macros, turbo functions and modified hardware or software are not allowed.
Pausing
- Up to 3 pauses per player per half, and only when the ball is out of play.
- Pausing to waste time or break the opponent’s rhythm is not allowed and can be penalised.
Disconnections
- If a match disconnects, take a screenshot showing the score and the minute, and tell the organisers straight away.
- A disconnection in the first 10 in-game minutes restarts the match from 0–0. After that, the match is replayed for the remaining time with the score kept.
- A player who disconnects on purpose forfeits the match.
- If a match is played past half time with the wrong settings before anyone reports it, the result stands.
Results and forfeits
- Both players report the score with a screenshot of the full-time screen.
- A player who does not show up in time forfeits. A forfeit counts as a 3–0 win for the opponent.
- A player found breaking the rules loses the match 3–0, or by the margin they were behind when it was reported if that is larger.
- Each player uses only their own EA account. Sharing logins is not allowed.
Official sources
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