First Division 2025
Rule Book
Organiser: First Division New Zealand Ltd
The organiser may amend or supplement these regulations at any time. Updated versions will be shared promptly. By participating in First Division, all participants agree to abide by this rulebook.
A. League Rules (League Rules)
R1. Participants
The league comprises 6 teams.
A team may register a squad of up to 10 players for the season. Up to 10 players may be named on a matchday squad. This includes 1 Goalkeeper.
Each team may register 1 coach.
All participants must uphold sporting fairness and respect referee decisions.
R2. Season format and fixtures
The season consists of 5 group stage games. Each team plays each other once.
Each team plays one game per matchday.
After the group stage, the top 4 teams qualify for the semi-finals.
1st place plays 4th place.
2nd place plays 3rd place.
The winners of the semi-finals play in the Grand Final.
In knockout matches (semi-finals and final), if scores are tied after regulation time, there is no extra time. Matches go directly to MLS-style penalties. Each team takes 5 penalties before sudden death if required.
R3. Matchday management
The organisers will be responsible for managing each matchday, including preparation, operations, and decisions on the day.
Instructions from matchday management must be followed by all participants.
R4. Player eligibility
Teams must submit their matchday squad by the deadline set by the organiser.
Only players on the submitted list may participate. Using an ineligible player may lead to sanctions including forfeit.
An eligible player is defined as any player who was part of the official draft pool and selected during Draft Night, unless permission is expressly granted by the organisers (e.g. in the event of injury or unavailability, such as replacing a goalkeeper).
R5. Points and table
Win = 3 points. Draw = 1 point. Loss = 0 points.
Tiebreakers on the table are applied in this order:
a. Goal difference
b. Goals scored
c. Head-to-head result
d. If still tied and a ranking is required, an MLS-style shootout will decide placing
R6. Kit and equipment
It is mandatory for players to wear the official kit provided: Adidas jersey, Adidas shorts, Adidas 1/4 zip, and Stepzz white grip socks.
Players must not warm up or play in any other gear.
Shin guards are highly recommended.
Suitable footwear for turf is required. This includes, firm ground boots, artificial ground boots, turf shoes. Trainers and metal studs are not permitted. If footwear is not suitable, the player will not be allowed to play.
Only official match balls provided by the league organisers may be used for matches and warm-ups.
Any type of advertising not initiated by the organiser on the match kit requires prior written consent of the organiser. Political, religious, or other messages on the playing kit are not permitted. Infringements will be sanctioned by the First Division disciplinary panel.
R7. Captain
Each team must nominate a captain who wears a visible armband provided by the league organisers.
If the captain leaves the field, the armband is passed to another player.
R8. Referees
Matches are officiated by referees appointed by the organiser.
Referee decisions on facts of play are final.
If the match has continued or the referee has finished the first or second half and left the pitch or stopped the match, the referee may not change a decision to restart the match, even if it is later determined to be incorrect or if information is received from a third party.
R9. Forfeits and lateness
Failure to appear, late appearance, or incorrect line-up may result in a 0–3 forfeit at the organiser’s discretion.
R10. Matchday conduct
Teams and players must arrive on time and follow warm-up schedules as set by organisers.
Only players and coaches, or other people granted permission by league organisers, are allowed in the technical area.
Use of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited.
No competing brands to league sponsors may be displayed, worn, or promoted. No conduct harmful to the image of the league or its sponsors will be tolerated.
All players and coaches must cooperate with media obligations (photos, interviews, content capture) as directed by organisers.
B. Pitch Rules (Pitch Rules)
First Division follows IFAB Laws of the Game adapted for our format. Where not specified below, standard football laws apply.
R1. Players on the field
Matches are played 7-a-side: 6 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper per team.
A match may not start or continue if a team has fewer than 5 players.
Rolling substitutions are allowed with no limit on the number of substitutions.
Players leaving the pitch may exit at any point, but substitutes entering must enter at the halfway line with referee permission. All substitutions must be made only with the referee’s permission. Failure to do so will result in a yellow card for the player entering illegally, and the coach may also be cautioned for not following substitution rules. Out of respect for fair play, substitutions must not be used excessively or deliberately to waste time. If the referee believes this is happening, they may caution the players involved and the coach with yellow or red cards.
R2. Match duration and clock
40 minutes total: 2 x 20-minute halves.
Half-time is 5 minutes.
The referee may add reasonable stoppage time at the end of each half.
R3. Field of play and ball out of play
Standard touchlines and goal lines apply.
Throw-ins remain as per IFAB.
Corner kicks and goal kicks follow normal football laws.
Matches are played outdoors; no ceiling rule applies.
R4. Offside
No offside rule is enforced in First Division 2025.
R5. Free kicks and restarts
Both direct and indirect free kicks apply as per IFAB.
Defensive walls must respect the required distance per IFAB guidance.
A player taking a restart may not touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
R6. Equipment and safety
Players may not use or wear dangerous equipment. The wearing of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather and rubber bands, etc.) is prohibited. All jewelry must be removed. Covering jewelry with adhesive tape is prohibited. All players will be checked accordingly before the start of the game.
If a player uses or wears unauthorized/dangerous equipment or jewelry, the referee must instruct them to remove the item or – if the player cannot or will not comply – to leave the pitch immediately. Players who do not comply or wear the item again may be punished with a red card.
Non-hazardous protective equipment, e.g. head protection, face masks or knee and arm protectors made of soft, light, padded materials as well as goalkeeper caps and sports goggles are permitted subject to approval from the league organisers and referee.
Players (including substitutes and players sent off) are not permitted to carry or use any form of electronic or communication device (in particular cell phones) during a match involving their team.
R7. Goalkeepers
Standard back-pass rule applies. A goalkeeper may not handle a deliberate kick from a teammate.
Goalkeepers must release the ball within 8 seconds.
Goalkeepers must remain within their penalty area when handling the ball. Handling offences outside the area are penalised as a direct free kick and may result in a yellow card or red card.
R8. Misconduct and cards
Yellow and red cards apply as per IFAB.
A player shown a red card (including for two yellows) must leave the pitch and may not be replaced. The team must continue with 6 players.
A player shown a straight red card will also miss the following match and will not be eligible for selection. A player sent off for two yellows in one game may return for the next match.
Slide tackles are permitted and are subject to the usual rules (e.g. fouls, yellow cards, or red cards if dangerous).
R9. Penalties (MLS-style dribble-up)
All penalties awarded for fouls or handball in the penalty area, and all tie-breaking shootouts, use the MLS-style dribble-up format.
The taker starts with the ball on the halfway line.
The taker may only begin on the referee’s whistle, at which point the 10-second timer starts, to attempt to score in a 1v1 against the goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper must stay inside the penalty area until the taker’s first touch.
All other players must remain behind the halfway line until the attempt is complete.
If the goalkeeper touches the ball in any way (even the smallest deflection), the taker may not touch the ball again. The attempt is over and results in a goal kick, unless the ball continues into the goal without any further touch from the taker — in which case the goal stands.
The penalty ends and results in a goal kick for the defending team if the taker does not score. This includes:
A clear miss of the goal
10 second timer expired
Save by the goalkeeper (any touch that prevents a goal)
Ball going out of play
Any handball or foul committed by the taker
If a penalty is scored, play restarts at the centre circle with the defending team in possession.
If the goalkeeper commits an offence (handball outside the box or foul on the taker), the first offence results in a retake. If the goalkeeper commits a second offence in a row of this kind, it results in an automatic penalty goal. Play is then restarted at the centre circle with the defending team in possession.
Goalkeeper and taker offences may also result in yellow or red cards depending on severity, as per misconduct rules.
A penalty that is defended for a potential corner does not count as a corner kick.
C. Disciplinary Rules (Disciplinary Rules)
R1. Authority
The organiser’s disciplinary panel has jurisdiction over incidents on matchdays, protests, and breaches of these rules.
R2. Protests
Protests about match incidents must be lodged with matchday management within 30 minutes of full-time.
The panel’s decisions are final.
R3. Sanctions
Available sanctions include warnings, suspensions, point deductions, forfeits, and disqualification.
The panel may act on incidents not seen by the referee if credible evidence is provided.
R4. Conduct
Discriminatory, abusive, or threatening behaviour will be sanctioned severely.
Attempts to influence match officials or manipulate results are prohibited and punishable.
D. Administrative Notes
Insurance, medical, and venue-specific safety protocols are issued separately.
Media, photography, and content rights are governed by the league’s media policy.