BlitzLiga operates two separate competitions: a league and a knock-out cup. Payment and entry to each competition is separate.

Groups

BlitzLiga’s main competition is a league. Depending on the number of teams competing, the teams either compete in a single league or they are split into two equal-strength leagues.

Qualification for the Finals

After every team in each league has played against every other team in the league, the strongest teams qualify for the finals. In seasons when there is a single league, such as season 17, there is a single game on the final day and there are only two qualifiers: the teams that finish first and second in the league. In seasons when there are two equal-strength groups, such as season 16, there are four teams that qualify for the final day: the teams that finish first and second in each group

League Standings

League standings are ranked by total points, then goal difference, then goals scored, and then result of the match between the teams concerned.

The entry procedure is separate from the league and teams from both leagues compete against one another in this competition.

BlitzLiga rents the pitches that it uses for matches. For autumn 2014, we have booked pitch 6 at Luznhiki. Our reservation can be cancelled without notice by the owners of the arena. Where possible, cancelled games will be rearranged at the same venue on later weeks. If necessary, they will be moved to another location and the difference in cost will be refunded to the affected teams.

Games are usually played on successive Sundays. We do not play on the weekends of public holidays. The match times may change from season to season. See this season for the current schedule.

Fixtures are provisional unless otherwise stated on the schedule. Once they have been confirmed, fixtures cannot be amended or re-arranged except when there is no alternative, such as when the owners of the venue require. Fixtures can be viewed via the website. If changes the fixtures are changed on the website, the announcement will be made via the captains concerned and usually on BlitzLiga’s Facebook page.

Before the second game of each season, every captain must submit the names of between eight and twelve registered players for his team. Those names are published on the website. Teams must start each subsequent game with at least three players from that list. Before the midpoint in each league, teams may replace one of their registered players with a new player. To make a replacement, the team’s captain must write to the league secretary with the names of the replacement and the player being replaced. If, for example, a team is competing in a five-team league and wants to replace a player, the captain must declare the change before his team’s third game.

In order to enforce the restrictions on registered players, the league secretary takes a photograph of each team every week. Captains should ensure that their players are present for the photo. If any team has less than three registered players, they will be sanctioned for fielding a deficient team.

If any team starts a league game with less than three registered players, the result will be recorded as 0-3 and the three points will be awarded to their opposition. Captains who avoid this sanction by submitting incorrect player records will have six points deducted from their total.

If a captain has less than six players for his team, he should try not to use any player who has played for or will play for another team in either league. If they use any such player, the result will be recorded as 0-3 and the three points will be awarded to their opposition.