Pond Hockey World Cup – Rules

The Pond Hockey World Cup 2027 will be held in Levi in January 2027. The event will bring together teams from all over Finland and the world to play in the Pond Hockey spirit – relaxed, fair and safe.

This rulebook defines the format, rules, and operating principles of the tournament. The purpose of the rules is to ensure that the tournament is conducted in a fair, safe, and enjoyable manner for all participants.

All participating teams and players are deemed to accept these rules upon registering for the tournament.

Game format

Tournament matches will be played 3 vs. 3 format, unless otherwise stated for each series.

• In all series it is possible to play with male, female or mixed teams (men and women on the same team).

• Chill Hockey Series is a new series of low-threshold games for more relaxed play.

• Team size: up to 9 players

• There are no goalkeepers on the field.

• Only one person may be on the field at a time. three players per team

• Changes are made on the rebound

Game time and gameplay

• Game time is 1 x 15 minutes of straight time

• In the next games In the event of a tie, extra time will be played until a decision is made (no time limit)

• There will be no continuation games in the Chill Hockey series.

• Matches begin with the starting signal given by the game director.

• There are no offsides in the game, and scoring is allowed from the entire playing area.

• If the puck crosses the boundaries of the field, play continues with a new puck provided by the organizer or an old puck retrieved from outside the field from the defending team's side of the field.

Ground rules

• The puck may be lifted. knee-high

• Punch shots are prohibited.

• Tackling is prohibited.
  Light body contact is allowed as a natural part of the situation

• Violations result in the puck being awarded to the opponent, and the offending team must retreat to their own half of the field before play can resume.

• More serious offenses are punished penalty, which is performed by shooting from the center point into an empty goal

• Repeated or deliberate violations may result in a player being removed from the match at the discretion of the referee.

• Unsportsmanlike behavior, violence, or insulting an opponent, game director, or organizer may result in the team being disqualified from the tournament without a refund of the entry fee.

Equipment

Mandatory equipment (all sets):

• Skates

• Hockey stick

• Uniform and numbered jersey

The use of a helmet is strongly recommended in all series.
The use of other protective equipment (e.g. gloves, knee pads, shin guards) is optional but recommended, taking into account series-specific instructions - check these below:

POND MASTER
Allowed equipment:

• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Club
• Skates

FUN HOCKEY
Allowed equipment:

• Lightweight knee pads (not hockey)
• Elbow pads
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Club
• Skates

CHILL HOCKEY
Allowed equipment:

• Club
• Skates
• Gloves

The organizer is not responsible for any damage, loss or condition of equipment.

Tournament system

• The best teams in the preliminary groups advance to the next round.

• There will be no continuation games in the Chill Hockey series.

The result of the match is divided into:

• About the win: 2 points

• From a draw: 1 point

• About the loss: 0 points

The size of the groups and the number of teams that advance will be determined by the final number of teams in the event.

Ties

Teams tied on points in the group stage will be ranked in the following order:

1. Head-to-head match result

2. Goal difference

3. Goals scored

4. Raffle (raffle conducted by the organizer)

Comparison between blocks:

• Points per match / points ratio

• Goal difference per match / goal ratio

• Goals scored per match / goals scored ratio

Refereeing and game control

• The games will be played by a person designated by the organizer. game director

• The game director's decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

• Players are expected to comply the spirit of fair play and respect opponents and the game director

Insurance and liability

• Players are not insured on behalf of the organizer.

• Each player participates at their own risk and is responsible for their own insurance coverage.

• The organizer is not responsible for injuries, illnesses, property damage or equipment breakage.

• The organizer is not responsible for indirect costs (e.g. travel or accommodation costs)

Safety and conditions

• The tournament will be played on outdoor ice, and weather conditions may affect the condition of the fields and the match schedule.

• The organizer may postpone, suspend or cancel matches for safety reasons without any obligation to compensate.

• Players must consider ice conditions, weather, and equipment safety.

• The instructions of the organizer and security personnel must be followed in all situations.

Right to play

• Each player must be listed on the team roster before the tournament begins.

• A player can only participate in one team in the same series.

• The organizer has the right to check the identity of the players

• The organizer may prevent a player from participating due to rule violations or unsportsmanlike behavior.

Organizer's rights

• The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the match program, rules and schedules.

• The organizer may end the match early for safety or circumstances reasons.

• The organizer may remove a team from the tournament for actions that violate the rules, safety instructions, or the spirit of sportsmanship.

Force majeure and filming rights

The organizer is not responsible for event cancellations or changes in force majeure situations (e.g. weather conditions, official regulations, epidemics, technical failures).

By participating in the event, players and teams agree that photo and video material taken at the event may be used in the marketing of the Pond Hockey World Cup without separate compensation.

Limitation of liability and acceptance of the rules

By participating in the tournament, the team and its players accept these rules in their entirety.
The organizer's decisions regarding the tournament, rules and interpretations are final.
The participation fee will not be refunded if a team or player is removed from the event due to rule violations.

Contact information

Pond Hockey World Cup Team
📧 info@pondhockey4all.com
🌐 www.pondhockey4all.com

This rulebook is valid for everyone Pond Hockey World Cup 2027 -event participants. Accepting it is a prerequisite for participating in the tournament.