Forfeits will result in a 3-0 loss and a $30 fine*.

Jerseys for Spring 2026
All teams are required to have matching color jerseys with numbers on the back!
**In order for the jerseys to arrive by Week 1, we have to make the order well in advance. (Jerseys take 4-5 weeks to arrive.)
Any registrations made 3/20 and before are guaranteed their desired jersey number and size.
If registered on 3/21 or after, desired numbers and sizes are not guaranteed.

Please reach out to us via Opensports (Chattanooga Football League) if you have any questions about your jersey!

League Information / Key Dates

Season: Spring/Summer 2026

Season Start: April 26th

Playoffs Begin: TBD

Finals: TBD

Pushback Dates: TBD

Final day to have 7 or more rostered players: April 18th ; Beginning April 19th, we will offer spots away.

Final Day to add players: May 3rd (End of Matchday 2)

Player Fees

Returning Teams and Players: $60 | Player fee with jersey: $75
Team Fee: Message the OpenSports Chattanooga Football Leagues account if you wish to pay for a team up front

Late Fees

3/21 - Returning Teams and Players: $65 | Player fee with jersey: $80

4/11 - Returning Teams and Players: $70 | Player fee with jersey: $85

Teams will be placed in division based on what teams register and what competition level exists! Preference will be taken into account, but CFL director and coordinator will place teams in divisions based on competition level. Players/teams may be placed in higher/lower divisions to ensure fair play!

Format:
5v5 soccer
22 minute halves
Games on Sundays at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM
Playoff format to be decided based on league competition level.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chattanooga Football Leagues

The Chattanooga Football League offers fun, competitive, recreational soccer leagues for adults of all ages in the Chattanooga area. These Leagues are structured creatively to foster a competitive environment for all skill levels, with a high value placed on sportsmanship, relationship, and fun. We hope that CFL will accurately reflect the diversity of our city and be a positive, life-giving environment for all who choose to participate. Our desire is that these leagues will continue the CFC legacy of unifying the cultures of the world in Chattanooga by drawing us back to our humanity and the love of the game. 

DISCIPLINARY STANDARDS

• Dissent or abuse towards players or referees will not be tolerated. Discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, and hate speech (homophobia, racism, etc.) will not be tolerated. Any violations will be taken very seriously. Although in-game discipline is at the discretion of the referee, the League Director may intervene in certain situations as necessary. ANY referee abuse will result in a MINIMUM one match suspension. Foul and/or abusive language and/or taunting directed towards another player will result in a MINIMUM one match suspension. Discriminatory language (homophobia, racism, sexism, etc.) will result in a MINIMUM season long suspension.
• Fighting or violent conduct is not permitted and will result in immediate ejection for all parties involved. This will always result in a minimum three match suspension. 
• Players who have been issued a straight red card are required to leave the property, not just the area of play.
• ONLY team captains may speak to referees about calls during the game in a respectful manner. Any other form of dissent from a player or captain may result in a minimum one-week ban.

REGISTRATION

• Teams and players will have a minimum of SIX WEEKS to register for the leagues from the time the registration opens, to the start of the season. 
• 5v5 Futsal Teams must have a minimum of 7 players registered one week before the start of the season, or they could be in danger of losing their team spot.
• Teams who drop out once the schedule is posted are NOT entitled to a refund. 
• 8v8 Teams must have a minimum of 10 players registered one week before the start of the season, or they could be in danger of losing their team spot.
• PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED TO PLAY.
• You have until the end of Matchday 2 to add new players to the roster.
• After Matchday 2, players may not be added to the roster. 
  • RARE EXCEPTIONS MAY BE MADE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR.
• Teams should NOT register for a division they did not play in, in their previous season. Teams that register across multiple divisions/ registrations will be removed and added to the end of our waitlist. 

PLAYER REPLACEMENT

• TEAMS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REPLACE PLAYERS WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE LEAGUE DIRECTOR. 
• If a player becomes injured and the team would like to replace the injured player, the team captain must notify the League Director, before the halfway point of the season. 
• Injured players may be entitled to a partial refund.
• If the request is made before the halfway point of the season, the League Director will assess the situation and may decide to allow the team to replace the injured player. 
• After the halfway point of the season, teams may not be allowed to replace players
• If a team receives approval to replace a player, then the injured player will be removed from the roster completely and the new player will be added. 
• The team will not be allowed to ADD a new player. They must REPLACE the new player with the injured player. The injured player will be removed from the roster and will no longer be eligible to play. It is a player per player swap.

1. 5v5 League Format

   1. The league will consist of divisions with 6-8 teams. 
   2. The season will consist of 5-7 regular season games, followed by playoffs or relegation matches, depending on the team’s position. 
      1. Games will consist of two, 22-minute halves.
   3. Each player must play a minimum of 1 regular season game to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
   4. The max goal differential is +/- 10 per game.
   5. Rules follow FIFA Futsal Rules.
      1. Futsal Rules

2. 8v8 League Format

   1. The league will consist of divisions with 6-12 teams. 
   2. The season will consist of 5-11 regular season games, followed by playoffs or relegation matches, depending on the team’s position. 
      1. Games will consist of two, 25-minute halves.
   3. Each player must play a minimum of 1 regular season game to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
   4. The max goal differential is +/- 10 per game.
   5. Rules follow IFAB LOTG.
      1. IFAB Laws of the Game

3. Playoff Format

   1. Playoffs must declare a winner. Games will go straight to Penalty Kicks in the event normal time results in a tie. 
   2. 8 or less Team League
      1. Playoffs will consist of the top 4 teams from each division, with regular season placement deciding the seeding. 
         • #1 Seed vs #4 Seed 
         • #2 Seed vs #3 Seed 
   3. 9, 10, or 11 Team League
      1. Playoffs will consist of the top 6 teams from each division, with regular season placement deciding the seeding. 
         • #1 and #2 Seed: First Round Bye
         • #3 Seed vs #6 Seed 
         • #4 Seed vs #5 Seed
   4. 12 or more Team League
      1. Playoffs will consist of the top 8 teams from each division, with regular season placement deciding the seeding. 
         • #1 Seed vs #8 Seed
         • #2 Seed vs #7 Seed 
         • #3 Seed vs #6 Seed
         • #4 Seed vs #5 Seed
   5. Playoff formats may be altered depending on table outlook and competition level. All alterations to formatting are up to the discretion of the league director and league coordinator. 

4. Clock Management

   1. Official Time is to be kept by the central scoreboard, controlled by the referee. 
      1. In the event of scoreboard malfunction, the referee will keep official time.
      2. Time may be stopped for serious injuries and at any other point, at the discretion of the referee (i.e. time wasting, disciplinary actions, etc.). 

5. Substitutions

   1. All substitutions must occur at a stoppage in play, from the halfway point of the field. 
      1. Referees may caution players who substitute during active play.
      2. Referees may also caution players who incorrectly substitute. 
   2. Teams will have unlimited substitutions. 
   3. Players must be off the field before a substitute can enter the field of play. 
   4. Teams will substitute at their own risk: a referee is not required to stop play.

6. Technical League Rules

   1. Gametime is playtime. We will allow a FIVE MINUTE grace period for teams. All clocks MUST start FIVE MINUTES after the scheduled game time. At TEN MINUTES after game time, if players are not on the field and ready to play, the game will be ruled a forfeit. 
      1. Teams may not abuse or circumvent these rules for any reason. If a team has the minimum number of players, they must start the match after 7:05. 
   2. League Director and League Coordinator may intervene to assist with referee calls.
   3. No slide tackling allowed. All slide tackles in our 5v5 leagues will be punished with a yellow card and an indirect free kick, where the slide is clean. If a slide tackle is considered a foul, it will result in a yellow card and direct free kick. Sliding to block a shot or score a goal is permitted, provided the considerations are not met. A slide is valid if, and only if, there are no other players around.
   4. A slide tackle is a tackle where a player slides along the ground with one or two legs extended to push the ball away from an opposing player. 
      1. A slide tackle is up to the discretion of the referee. We recommend players stay on their feet to avoid giving the referee a decision to make.
   5. Opponents must be a minimum of 5 yards from all direct and indirect free kicks in 5v5 Futsal and a minimum of 8 yards in 8v8. 
      1. Players who do not respect this distance will be cautioned. 

   6. Foul Accumulation (FUTSAL ONLY)

      1. A direct free kick from the second penalty spot is awarded after the 6th accumulated foul and all subsequent fouls committed by a team in each period. However, if the sixth or subsequent accumulated foul is committed inside the offender’s penalty area, a penalty kick is awarded instead. 
      2. If the shot is missed or saved, play is considered dead and the restart is a goal throw. If the save goes out from the endline, a corner kick is given. 
      3. Fouls reset at halftime.

   7. Four-Second Rule (FUTSAL ONLY)

      1. Teams in futsal have four seconds to restart play from any deadball scenario. 
      2. Players who attempt to circumvent the four second rule will be subject to a yellow card for delaying the restart. 

   8. The “Buzzer Beater” (FUTSAL ONLY)

      1. In accordance with the FIFA FUTSAL LAWS OF THE GAME, a shot that is taken BEFORE the buzzer sounds, can be considered a goal IF:
         • the ball continues moving towards goal
         • the ball is NOT played by any player (including the kicker) other than the defending goalkeeper
         • Example: Team A takes a shot on goal, BEFORE the buzzer sounds. While in air, the buzzer sounds, and the ball is tipped by the defending keeper but ends up over the goal line for a goal, is considered a GOOD GOAL. If a defender steps to the ball and touches it AFTER the buzzer, and it goes into the net for a goal, it is considered NO GOAL. 

   9. 10 second-add on (Futsal and 8v8)

      1. If a DIRECT FREE KICK is awarded, 10 seconds will be added onto the clock and allowed to play out. If another DFK is given, an additional 10 seconds will be added.

   10. Shin Guards 

       1. Shin guards are only required in our Over 30 league but are recommended to be worn across all leagues. 

   11. Co-Ed Women Requirement

       1. Teams must have three women on the field at all times.
       2. If a team does not have three women, they must play down players. 
       3. To begin a game, teams must have one rostered woman on the field. 

7. Indirect free kick

   1. An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:

• plays in a dangerous manner

• impedes the progress of an opponent without any contact being made

• is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or

action(s) or other verbal offenses

• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks

or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of

releasing it

• initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free

kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to

circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with

the hands; the goalkeeper is penalized if responsible for initiating the

deliberate trick

• commits any other offense, not mentioned in the Laws, for which play is

stopped to caution or send off a player

1. Direct free kick 

   1. A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offenses against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:

• charges

• jumps at

• kicks or attempts to kick

• pushes

• strikes or attempts to strike (including head-butt)

• tackles or challenges

• trips or attempts to trip

1. If an offense involves contact, it is penalized by a direct free kick. A direct free kick is also awarded if a player commits any of the following:

• a handball offense (except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area)

• holds an opponent

• impedes an opponent with contact

• bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official

• throws an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official, or makes

contact with the ball with a held object

1. Discipline

   1. Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed
   2. Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned, or given a yellow card.
   3. Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off, or given a red card.
   4. Discipline will be at the discretion of the official. Certain actions will be cause for immediate cards and ejections. 
   5. League Director/Coordinator MAY retroactively suspend players when needed for disciplinary actions that were not given in game. 

2. Suspensions

   1. If a player accumulates 5 yellow cards in one season, they will be suspended for 1 regular season game. Cards do not accumulate during playoffs.
   2. If a player is shown 2 yellows during a single game they will be issued a red card and are suspended for the remainder of that game as well as  the following game. 
      1. In 5v5 Futsal teams are able to replace the ejected player after a 2-minute penalty. 
      2. A team may only be reduced to 3 players. If they are reduced below 3 players, the game is ended and a forfeit by that team is recorded. 

3. Sending-Off Offenses (Red Cards)

   1. A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:
      1. denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
      2. denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below)
      3. serious foul play
      4. biting or spitting at someone
      5. violent conduct
      6. using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
      7. receiving a second caution in the same match

4. CFL League Jerseys/Uniforms

   1. Uniforms
      1. All teams must wear matching numbered jerseys
      2. Players are required to wear their jersey at each match
      3. Players will not be allowed to play without their jerseys
      4. If a team does not have the league jerseys and the team colors are similar, the league jerseys gain preference. The other team must wear bibs. 
      5. If teams have the same color league jersey, the team to wear bibs will be decided by a coin flip or a game of paper, rock, scissors. 

5. Forfeit Policy 

   1. In effect Fall 2025.
   2. Teams who forfeit will be given a 10-0 loss.
   3. Teams MUST inform the League Coordinator or League Director through the OpenSports app of a forfeit no later than 24 hours prior to gametime.
      1. Example: Team A plays at 6pm on Tuesday. They must inform the League Coordinator or League Director through the OpenSports app that their team is forfeiting by Monday at 6PM.
   4. Teams who inform the League Coordinator or League Director of a forfeit less than 24 hours of the scheduled match time will be fined $30. 
   5. Teams who forfeit without notice will be fined $50 and be ineligible for playoffs. (A no-call no show)
   6. FINES MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE NEXT MATCHWEEK.
      1. Teams who do not pay will receive a second fine and additional forfeit if not paid 24 hours before their next scheduled match. 
   7. Teams with 1 forfeit will receive a fine and a formal warning. 
   8. Teams with 2 forfeits will be removed from playoff contention. 
   9. Teams with 3 or more forfeits in a season will be removed from the league and suspended for one season. 
      1. Teams removed for forfeits will not receive a refund.
      2. Two “no-call, no-shows” in a season will be grounds for removal and suspension without refund.

6. Weather Policy

   1. In effect Fall 2025.
   2. Player safety is the top priority in all weather-related decisions.
   3. Decisions should be timely, clearly communicated, and consistent.
   4. League staff will coordinate to evaluate field and weather conditions.
   5. Rain
      1. Matches will be played in moderate or less rain. 
      2. If the rain is heavy or combined with cold temperatures that border the threshold of the Cold Weather Policy, cancellations will be at the League and Facility Director’s discretion. 
      3. Flood warnings may result in postponement of league matches.
   6. Thunder and Lighting
      1. All play must stop immediately once lightning is observed or detected within 5 miles.
      2. Players, referees, and spectators must seek safe shelter (cars or enclosed buildings – not tents, pavilions, or trees).
      3. Play resumes once the storm has clearly moved beyond the 5-mile radius and no further lightning is observed.
      4. The 20-minute waiting rule is replaced by real-time evaluation based on radar and field observation.
      5. League staff will monitor radar and coordinate with referees for safe resumption.
   7. Extreme Heat
      1. At 85+ degrees Farenheit, water breaks will be instated. 
      2. At 105+ degrees Farenheit, games will be reduced to four, 12 minute quarters. 
      3. At 115+ degrees Fahrenheit, games may be suspended or postponed. 
   8. Extreme Cold
      1. Games will not be played if the wind chill is below 25°F.
      2. CFL uses weather apps and local radar to determine wind chill at game time.
   9. Air Quality (Smoke or Pollution)

AQI Level Action Taken

1. 0–100             Normal play
2. 101–150 Monitor; sensitive groups reduce exertion
3. 151–200 12 Minute Quarters
4. >200             CFL will cancel or postpone all outdoor play
5. Make-up / Postponement Policy
   1. Only two weeks per season are reserved for weather-related makeup games.
   2. Games lost to "acts of God" (lightning, storms, extreme heat, natural disasters, etc.) will not be refunded.
   3. No additional makeups or refunds will be offered after the designated reschedule window.

6. Cancellations

   1. The Chattanooga Football League has the right to cancel any game due to inclement weather. Assume all games will be played unless an announcement is sent.
   2. CFL will attempt to reschedule any inclement weather games but cannot guarantee that games will be rescheduled or played.

The Chattanooga Football League’s Rules and Regulations are a living document and may be updated and altered at any time. Proper communication will occur when this happens. Thank you all for your patience, understanding, and commitment to our leagues.