Soccer Playbook

Important Team Information

Player Certification Form

Each team is required to complete and submit a Player Certification/Enrollment form by November 14.This form is an important step in registration and must be signed by all players, sport club rep, and college/university registrar to verify current enrollment. 

1. Download a blank Player Certification/Enrollment form
2. Fill in your College/University Name
3. Fill in the Team Rep Name, phone, and email (this is someone who will be onsite)
4. Neatly write in each player’s last name, first name, and student ID number (alphabetical is preferred)
5. Take the form to your Campus Rec Department to sign the top (signing states your team/players are in good standing with the university and are clear to travel)
6. Take to form to the Registrar’s Office to:
   1. Fill in each player’s credit hours
   2. Fill in the box at the bottom
   3. Provide the school seal
7. Take a photo and submit the completed signed and stamped Player Certification/Enrollment form for your team by Friday, November 14.
8. Bring the ORIGINAL copy in-person to the mandatory team check-in

Roster Additions

• No cost: Add players through Thursday, November 6 at 11:59 PM Pacific 
• Late additions: From November 7-11, each added player will incur a $10 fee.
• Final deadline: Tuesday, November 11 at 11:59 PM Pacific is the final deadline to add players

Late Addition Process

If adding players after November 6, email lauren.carlson@nirsa.org with the player’s name and email. Lauren will confirm when the player can be added to IMLeagues.

Payment

$10 per player is due at team check-in (cash or card accepted).

Dropped players will be processed during team check-in.

Tournament Withdrawal

Directors are aware that plans can change, please inform us immediately if you are unable to attend. Teams that cancel after November 5 will receive a 1-year sanction and will not be allowed to compete in the 2026 NIRSA National Soccer Championships. Teams that do not show up for scheduled games will receive a 2-year sanction and will not be allowed to compete in the 2026 & 2027 NIRSA National Soccer Championships. 

Coaches & Captains Meeting

There will not be a team rep meeting this year. Please review this webpage and the Rules of Play if you have additional questions, please contact Tournament Director, Lauren Carlson, Co-Directors of Competition Laurel Hanna and Max Miller or Director of Officials Abby Van Note. The directors will also be at team check-in to answer any questions.

Student Athlete Exam Proctor

NIRSA has been providing a proctor for student-athletes to take exams during NIRSA National Sport Championships for the past 15 years. NIRSA Staff will oversee the exam proctoring.

Student athletes can provide their professor with the following email address for NIRSA Staff to help administer any exams. 

tournamentproctor@nirsaleaders.org 

Tournament Information

Mandatory Team Check-in

Mandatory team check-in will be held on Wednesday, November 19 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the SCHEELS Complex. Only one individual from each team needs to attend check-in (coach or team captain preferred).  If a member of your team cannot make the check-in, please contact Lauren Carlson at 352-448-6151 no later than Friday, November 14 to make alternative arrangements. Teams will incur a $130 late check-in fee if they do not check in on Wednesday night or make prior arrangements for late check-in.

The following information will have already been submitted, but is required to be verified at team check-in:

• Completed Player Certification form (Enrollment Verification) – MUST be original copy!
• Cell number for team representative who is onsite
• Roster including light & dark jersey numbers
• Local lodging and travel information for the team

Team Uniforms

Be sure that the numbers on all players’ uniforms are consistent with the numbers submitted on the team registration form, particularly in switching from light to dark uniforms. All teams are required to have matching light and dark uniforms, with no duplicated numbers. All jersey numbers must be permanently attached to the jersey. All substitutes must wear a colored jersey/vest that distinguishes them from the other field players.

Wednesday Practice

The fields will be available for practice on the hour from 2:00pm-7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 19. Beginning November 1, teams can fill out the National Soccer Practice Times form to reserve a field. The fields will be first come, first served.

Photo ID Required

Each player is required to show their school or government-issued photo ID before EACH game. A player is permitted to use a College/University ID, Driver’s license/State ID, or passport. No photographs of IDs will be accepted. No ID, no play.

Athletic Trainers

There will be athletic trainers available on site during the tournament (trainers will not be on site during practice time). Players must bring their own pre-wrap and tape for preventative taping.

Tournament Schedule 

On November 12, watch the Road To Soccer Video released on the NIRSA Championship Series YouTube Channel at 12:00pm Eastern / 9:00am Pacific.

The tournament schedule will be posted online by November 14. Any changes to the schedule will be updated and available online. 

Pool play games begin on Thursday, November 20 at 8:00am. Teams will play two matches on Thursday and at least one match on Friday. The top qualifiers in each pool (varies depending on the division) will advance to playoffs on Friday, and winners will advance to semi-finals and finals on Saturday. Men’s and Women’s Open finals will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday, with the Men’s Championship final at 3:00pm and the Women’s Championship final at 5:00pm.

Inclement Weather

Please note: the format, number of games, and game length may change due to no-shows or weather. There are no backup fields, and extreme weather may result in cancellation.

Tournament Standings

Daily Results & Live Stream

Daily results of the championships will be available on various platforms

1. National Soccer Website
2. Tournament Platform: IMLeagues
3. You can also follow along via @NIRSAchamp #NIRSAsoccer on Instagram

All games will also be live streamed by BallerTV. Purchase an event pass to live stream the games.

Post-Event (Results, Awards)

All 1st and 2nd place teams will receive awards as well as the All-Tournament Teams and MVPs for each division. A Team Sportsmanship plaque will be awarded to both the men’s and women’s teams.

• Men’s Open: half time of the Men’s Championship match
• Women’s Open: half time of the Women’s Championship match
• Men’s Championship: immediately following the Men’s Championship match
• Women’s Championship: immediately following the Women’s Championship match

Tournament winners and accolades will also be shared on the Soccer Championship History page of the website. 

Spectators

Spectator Admission Fee

• Family and friends coming to Overland Park will be required to pay an admission fee.
• Adults: $15 per day or $40 for the weekend
• Seniors (60+): $15 per day or $35 for the weekend 
• Kids 12 and under: Free

Discounted Weekend Only presale passes are available for $35. Presale passes will be available for purchase October 31-November 14, 2025. 

• Adult Weekend presale passes
• Senior Weekend presales passes

We encourage all presale passes to be picked up during team check-in on November 19.

Please note that there will be limited seating available at the fields. Spectators should be prepared to bring their own seating or sit/stand.

Tournament Rules & Policies

Rules

The tournament will use modified NCAA rules. These rules are available on the National Soccer Championships Rules of Play page. The tournament will use SELECT Numero Ten Soccer Ball.

Referees

Referees for the Championships are endorsed by NISOA (National Intercollegiate Soccer Official’s Association) and ECSR (Elite College Soccer Referees). Expect quality officiating throughout all the games from referees around the country.

Sporting Behavior

We wholeheartedly embrace the position that, for positive sporting behavior to prevail, coaches, student-athletes, and fans must display respect, fairness, civility, honesty, and responsibility before, during, and after all athletic contests. The NIRSA Championship Series is committed to holding tournaments in a safe and inclusive environment free from bullying. Offensive language including profanity and/or derogatory remarks of any kind directed at officials, event staff, student-athletes, coaches, or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the competition site.

Code of Conduct

Please remind all players they signed a Code of Conduct. Remember you represent your school. Respect the quiet hours at the hotel and practice positive sporting behavior on the field.

At the fields

Concessions

Concessions will be sold on-site for the duration of the tournament. In addition, there are several restaurants within a few miles of the complex. Water coolers will be available on each field. Bring your own water bottle, cups will not be provided.

Purchase Tournament Apparel

Shirts will be available for purchase on-site throughout the tournament.

• Long sleeve cotton t-shirts with tournament design: $25
• Short sleeve dri-fit short t-shirts with tournament design: $25
• Hoodies with tournament design: $40
• Short sleeve cotton t-shirts non-tournament design: $25
• NIRSA Championship Series crewneck sweatshirt: $40

Just for Fun

Juggling Contest

The fun returns! Stop by the contest headquarters to see how many touches you can get in a row before your minute timer runs out.

Best Trick

Show off your years of soccer practice by demonstrating your best trick. Videos will be shared and voted on through our social media.

Best Kit/Cleats

Prove you have the best fit of the tournament by showcasing your kit and cleats. Media staff will be collecting content to have the spectators vote on their favorite look.