Football · Handball · Basketball
2027 rules
Who can take part, playing time, ties, awards: the rules of each Bordeaux Ocean Cup tournament.
Easter football
26–29 March 2027 · U10 to U17, U15 girls
Who can take part?
- All clubs that are members of a national association recognised by FIFA may take part. In countries where the sport is taught at school, teams belonging to their school sports federation are also accepted.
- All members of the delegation (players and accompanying adults) must be covered by third-party liability insurance.
- The tournament is played according to the rules of the IFAB or French Football Federation. Matches are run by official referees.
- The tournament is approved by the Gironde District and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Football League.
Eligibility
- Each player presents a current-season F.F.F. licence (Footclubs Compagnon app) or a licence from a foreign federation.
- Otherwise: a medical certificate of fitness less than 18 months old, an official ID and parental consent for minors (or a visa for non-EU countries).
- A player may only play for one team per edition. Players suspended by their federation for 6 matches or more may not take part.
- The referee or a member of the organisation checks both teams before the first match of each day.
- No exemption from the age limit is granted, except by exceptional decision of the organising committee.
Kit
- Full kit in club colours (shirt, shorts, socks), numbers matching the match sheet. Substitutes wear a bib.
- If two teams have similar colours, the first-named club changes shirts.
- Goalkeepers in a distinct colour. Shin pads compulsory for everyone.
Playing time & format
- U10 to U13: 1 × 20 min. U14 and U15: 1 × 25 min. U16 and U17: 1 × 30 min. No stoppage time, except for injury.
- U10, U11, U12 and U13 play 8-a-side on half a pitch (26 × 13 m penalty area). Offside from the penalty area in U10 and U11, from the halfway line in U12 and U13.
- Rolling substitutions. No limit on squad size, but 4 substitutes maximum in 8-a-side and 5 in 11-a-side.
- 5 guaranteed matches per team. Win 3 points, draw 1, loss 0, forfeit -1.
Ties
- In the group stage: result of the match between the tied teams, goal difference, goals scored, red cards, then a shoot-out of 3 penalties.
- In the knockout stage: straight to penalties (3 takers from U10 to U13, 5 in the other age groups), then sudden death.
- Team absent at kick-off: match lost by forfeit 3-0.
Awards
- Every participant receives a medal. The winners and finalists of tournament A receive a cup.
Protests & discipline
- All protests must be made in writing: before kick-off for player eligibility, at the next stoppage after the disputed incident for technical objections.
- A disciplinary committee (referees, coaches and organisers) rules on reports from officials or clubs: direction@worldgamesevents.com.
- The tournament cannot accept every request: priority goes to the teams that pay their registration first. 2 teams maximum per club and per age group.
Summer football
26 June – 3 July 2027 · U12 to U14
Who can take part?
- All clubs that are members of a national association recognised by FIFA may take part. In countries where the sport is taught at school, teams belonging to their school sports federation are also accepted.
- All members of the delegation (players and accompanying adults) must be covered by third-party liability insurance.
- The tournament is played according to the rules of the IFAB or French Football Federation. Matches are run by official referees.
- The tournament is approved by the Gironde District and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Football League.
Eligibility
- Each player presents a current-season F.F.F. licence (Footclubs Compagnon app) or a licence from a foreign federation.
- Otherwise: a medical certificate of fitness less than 18 months old, an official ID and parental consent for minors (or a visa for non-EU countries).
- A player may only play for one team per edition. Players suspended by their federation for 6 matches or more may not take part.
- The referee or a member of the organisation checks both teams before the first match of each day.
- No exemption from the age limit is granted, except by exceptional decision of the organising committee.
Kit
- Full kit in club colours (shirt, shorts, socks), numbers matching the match sheet. Substitutes wear a bib.
- If two teams have similar colours, the first-named club changes shirts.
- Goalkeepers in a distinct colour. Shin pads compulsory for everyone.
Playing time & format
- U12: 2 × 20 min. U13 and U14: 2 × 25 min. No stoppage time, except for injury.
- U12 play 8-a-side on half a pitch (26 × 13 m penalty area), offside from the halfway line.
- Rolling substitutions. No limit on squad size, but 5 substitutes maximum in 8-a-side and 7 in 11-a-side.
- 4 matches minimum per team. Win 3 points, draw 1, loss 0, forfeit -1.
Ties
- In the group stage: result of the match between the tied teams, goal difference, goals scored, red cards, then a shoot-out of 3 penalties.
- In the knockout stage: straight to penalties (3 takers in U12, 5 in the other age groups), then sudden death.
- Team absent at kick-off: match lost by forfeit 3-0.
Awards
- Every participant receives a medal. The winners and finalists of tournament A receive a cup.
Protests & discipline
- All protests must be made in writing: before kick-off for player eligibility, at the next stoppage after the disputed incident for technical objections.
- A disciplinary committee (referees, coaches and organisers) rules on reports from officials or clubs: direction@worldgamesevents.com.
- The tournament cannot accept every request: priority goes to the teams that pay their registration first. 2 teams maximum per club and per age group.
Easter handball
26–29 March 2027 · U15 girls and boys
Who can take part?
- All clubs that are members of a national association recognised by IHF may take part. In countries where the sport is taught at school, teams belonging to their school sports federation are also accepted.
- All members of the delegation (players and accompanying adults) must be covered by third-party liability insurance.
- The tournament is played according to the rules of the IHF or French Handball Federation. Matches are run by official referees.
Eligibility
- Each player presents a current-season licence.
- Otherwise: a medical certificate of fitness less than 18 months old, an official ID and parental consent for minors (or a visa for non-EU countries).
- A player may only play for one team per edition. Players suspended by their federation for 6 matches or more may not take part.
- Before the first match, each player receives a wristband in the colour of their age group, checked by the referee before every match. Each team signs the match sheet before and after the match.
- No exemption from the age limit is granted, except by exceptional decision of the organising committee.
Kit
- Full kit in club colours (shirt, shorts, socks), numbers matching the match sheet. Substitutes wear a bib.
- If two teams have similar colours, the first-named club changes shirts.
- Goalkeepers in a distinct colour. The tournament is played indoors, on a wooden court.
Playing time & format
- 2 × 15 min on days with 3 matches, 2 × 20 min on days with 2 matches.
- No limit on squad size, 16 players maximum on the match sheet.
- 4 matches minimum per team, on Saturday and Sunday. Win 2 points, draw 1, loss 0. Knockout stage with direct elimination.
Ties
- In the group stage: result of the match between the tied teams, goal difference, goals scored, 2-minute suspensions, then a shoot-out of 3 penalties.
- In the knockout stage: a shoot-out of 5 penalties, then sudden death.
- Team absent at throw-off: match lost by forfeit 10-0.
Awards
- Every player is rewarded. The winners receive the Bordeaux Ocean Cup trophy and gold medals; finalists and semi-finalists receive silver and bronze medals.
Protests & discipline
- All protests must be made in writing: before kick-off for player eligibility, at the next stoppage after the disputed incident for technical objections.
- A disciplinary committee (referees, coaches and organisers) rules on reports from officials or clubs: handball@worldgamesevents.com.
- The tournament cannot accept every request: priority goes to the teams that pay their registration first. 2 teams maximum per club and per age group.
Easter basketball
26–29 March 2027 · U15 and U18, girls and boys
Who can take part?
- All clubs that are members of a national association recognised by FIBA may take part. In countries where the sport is taught at school, teams belonging to their school sports federation are also accepted.
- All members of the delegation (players and accompanying adults) must be covered by third-party liability insurance.
- The tournament is played according to the rules of the FIBA or French Basketball Federation. Matches are run by official referees.
Eligibility
- Each player presents a current-season F.F.B.B. licence.
- Otherwise: a medical certificate of fitness less than 18 months old, an official ID and parental consent for minors (or a visa for non-EU countries).
- A player may only play for one team per edition. Players suspended by their federation for 6 matches or more may not take part.
- Before the first match, each player receives a wristband in the colour of their age group, checked by the referee before every match. Each team signs the match sheet before and after the match.
- No exemption from the age limit is granted, except by exceptional decision of the organising committee.
Kit
- Full kit in club colours (shirt, shorts, socks), numbers matching the match sheet. Substitutes wear a bib.
- If two teams have similar colours, the first-named club changes shirts.
- Size 7 ball for boys, size 6 for girls.
Playing time & format
- 5-on-5 tournament on a full court. U15 and U18: 4 × 8 min, 3-minute half-time. The clock only stops in the last 2 minutes. 2 one-minute time-outs per team per match.
- 12 players maximum on the match sheet. Rolling substitutions, only when attacking.
- Disqualification on the 4th personal foul or 2nd technical foul. From the 5th team foul, 2 free throws per foul. All defences are allowed.
- 4 matches minimum per team. Win 2 points, loss 1, forfeit 0. The top two in each group play tournament A, the others tournament B.
Ties
- In the group stage: points, point average (points scored / conceded), points scored, players disqualified, then sudden-death free throws.
- In the knockout stage: 3-minute overtime, then one-minute overtimes until one team leads.
- Team absent at tip-off: match lost by forfeit.
Awards
- Every player is rewarded. The winners receive the Bordeaux Ocean Cup trophy and gold medals; finalists and semi-finalists receive silver and bronze medals.
Protests & discipline
- All protests must be made in writing: before kick-off for player eligibility, at the next stoppage after the disputed incident for technical objections.
- A disciplinary committee (referees, coaches and organisers) rules on reports from officials or clubs: basketball@worldgamesevents.com.
- The tournament cannot accept every request: priority goes to the teams that pay their registration first. 2 teams maximum per club and per age group.
A question about the format or age groups? See our FAQ. See our FAQ