How long are matches, how are points awarded and what happens if my team is late?

Question

Accepted Answer

From the 2026 General Conditions: Match length: 20 minute halves, a 5 minute halftime and 5 minutes between matches. Tournament management can alter game durations to complete the event. The Championships FAQ page, which describes the redesigned event from 2024, mentions 15 minute halves, so the 2026 General Conditions are the figure to use for 2026. Rules: the 8th Edition of the TFA Playing Rules applies. All teams must use the official Steeden match ball. Points: win 4, draw 2, loss 0, forfeit minus 1 for the offending team. Finals: every finals game must produce an outright winner. A drawn match goes to a drop-off: three minutes of extra time, and if neither team leads, each team removes another player from the field and play restarts until a try is scored. Being late: teams must be at their field at least 5 minutes before the match, and the captain reports to the referees 2 minutes before for the coin toss. A team not ready within 5 minutes of the start forfeits, the other team is awarded a 5-0 win, and the late team is penalised one try after the first minute and one for every minute after, up to five. Scorecards: each team provides an official score person. If you disagree with the scorecard, do not sign it and tell your tour leader, who must lodge the protest within 60 minutes of the match ending. Source: The Championships 2026 General Conditions (touchfootball.com.au/media/17888/2026-championships-general-conditions.pdf).