How do M9 festivals work?

M9 festivals start in January, and the regulations list three M9 festivals a season. Rules for M9 festivals:

• No games during school hours, except on Fridays that are pedagogical days.
• No game may start before 17:00 on weekdays.
• At most two games per day, with at least one hour of rest between them.
• Each team plays at most four games and at least two.
• The score is not displayed during games.
• No final and no knockout game is allowed.
• Play follows the rules set by the M7 and M9 programs.

Source: Hockey Québec administrative regulations 2025-26, articles 9.2.6 and 6.7.