2026 Queensland Walking Football Cup
Football Queensland is excited to host the 8th annual Queensland Walking Football Cup, set to take place at FQ’s Nudgee Recreation Reserve on Saturday, 18 April and Sunday, 19 April. Join us for a two-day celebration of 6v6 football, welcoming both social and competitive teams, with strong interstate participation set to feature.
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Two Action Packed Days
This year’s tournament, taking place across Saturday, 18 April and Sunday, 19 April, will feature a full two-day schedule of matches!
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.
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