Queensland Walking Football Cup

Tournament Rules and Guidelines 

Rules and Guidelines 

• All matches will adhere to the Football Australia Walking Football Laws of the Game Feb 2026. 

Team Composition 

• Each team consists of 6 players: 5 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper. 

Game Format and Competition Rules 

• Each match shall consist of two halves of 10 minutes each, with a 1 minute half-time interval, for a total playing time of twenty-one minutes including the interval.  

• Matches shall be scheduled at 30 minute intervals, with a 9 minute break between matches.  

• All matches shall commence and conclude strictly on the official hooter signal.  

• Running or jogging is strictly prohibited at all times, whether in possession of the ball or not. Any infringement shall be penalised in accordance with competition rules.  

• All matches shall be played on pitches measuring 40×25 metres and with goals measuring 3×2 metres.  

• Walking Football is a non-contact sport. Any physical contact deemed careless, reckless, or excessive by the referee shall result in a free kick or further disciplinary action.  

• All substitute players must wear bibs at all times while off the field of play.  

• No additional time shall be added for stoppages during either half, in order to maintain the overall match schedule.  

• In the event of a match being abandoned, including due to shower/rain, the result shall be determined by the score at the time of abandonment. 

Additional Specified Rules 

• A maximum of four (4) touches per player is permitted. If a player takes more than four touches, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team.  

• Penalties shall be taken from 7 metres from goal. The player taking the penalty must be positioned no more than one metre behind the ball prior to taking the kick. 

• In line with the Laws of the Game (LOTG), if a goalkeeper’s save or block causes the ball to rise above the designated height limit before leaving the field of play, possession will be awarded to the opposing team via a sideline restart (kick-in or roll-in) at the point where the offence occurred.  

• In the mixed division, teams must have a minimum of two (2) female players on the field at all times (minimum 4/2 rule).  

Tournament Structure 

The tournament will include the following age groups and formats, with each category played as a round-robin followed by finals: 

• Men’s 50: Single round robin followed by semi-finals and finals  

• Men’s 60: Single round robin followed by semi-finals and finals  

• Men’s 70: Single round robin followed by semi-finals and finals  

• Women’s Open: Single round robin, semi-finals, 3rd place playoff, and finals  

• Women’s Over 60: Single round robin, semi-finals, 3rd place playoff, and finals  

• Mixed: Single round robin followed by semi-finals and finals  

Footwear 

To ensure player safety and preserve the quality of our grass playing surfaces, please adhere to the following guidelines: 

• Football boots with long studs (greater than 10mm) are strictly prohibited. 

• Artificial Ground (AG) football boots with short rubber studs are recommended. 

• Futsal shoes, athletic trainers, or turf football shoes with flat or short rubber studs are also acceptable. 

• If there is any doubt about the suitability of a player’s footwear, the referee will assess and make the final decision before the match begins. 

Finals Series Format 

• 3rd Place Play Off: Loser Semi-Final 1 vs. Loser Semi-Final 2 (Only Applicable in the Women’s Open and Women’s Over 60 Division) 

• Semi-Final 1: 1st place vs. 4th place (1 v 4) 

• Semi-Final 2: 2nd place vs. 3rd place (2 v 3) 

• Grand Final: Winners of both semi-finals 

Final Winner Determination 

• In the event of a tie after normal time, the match will proceed directly to penalty kicks, in accordance with FIFA regulations (five kicks per team followed, if necessary, by sudden death).   

• Only players on the field of play at the end of normal time shall be eligible to participate in the penalty shootout. 

• In the mixed division, penalties must be taken in the following order: Male, Female, Male, Female, Male. 

• No extra time will be played. 

Penalties & Offences 

• A penalty kick is awarded to the opposition after the 4th “not walking” offence by a team. The count then resets to zero and begins again. 
• Players that receive a red card (direct or because of 2 x yellow cards) in a game will be immediately reported to the Referee’s co-ordinator and Tournament Director upon completion of the game for review.  
• The player receiving the red card is NOT permitted to take to the field in ANY game until the review has been completed and a ruling has been determined.  
• The Team Manager is responsible to seek out the ruling from the Tournament Director prior to the player taking to the field. Should a player having receive a red card take to the field prior to the above occurring, the offending team will forfeit all games that the player took part after the issuing of the red card.