Which laws and RFL variations apply to community matches in 2026?

Q: Which laws and RFL variations apply to community matches in 2026?

Community matches (Tiers 3 and 4) are played under the International Rugby League Laws of the Game, unless the RFL Operational Rules 2026 vary them. Where the Operational Rules and a competition's own rules conflict, the Operational Rules take precedence. The RFL can approve variations for age-grade and modified formats, covering match length, tackle height, team size, ball size, sin bin length, substitutions, and extra time and golden point. These are summarised in the RFL Rules Overview Table (the Community Game Rules and Fees Chart 2026), which is the authoritative reference for match conditions. For 2026 the key variations are: Tackle height: armpit at every age group and level. 40/20 kick not used. All the other International Laws apply. (In National Conference League Tier 3, 40/20 applies only when touch judges are appointed.) 13-a-side from Under 12, with unlimited substitutions. Sin bin: 5 minutes at Under 12 to Under 16, 10 minutes from Under 17. Ball size: size 4 for younger age groups and girls up to Under 18, size 5 for boys from Under 14, Under 19 and open age. Under 11 and below play Primary Rugby League under the separate Primary Rugby League Rules 2026 and the Safe Play Code, not the Operational Rules.

Question

Accepted Answer

Community matches (Tiers 3 and 4) are played under the International Rugby League Laws of the Game, unless the RFL Operational Rules 2026 vary them. Where the Operational Rules and a competition's own rules conflict, the Operational Rules take precedence.

The RFL can approve variations for age-grade and modified formats, covering match length, tackle height, team size, ball size, sin bin length, substitutions, and extra time and golden point. These are summarised in the RFL Rules Overview Table (the Community Game Rules and Fees Chart 2026), which is the authoritative reference for match conditions. For 2026 the key variations are:

Tackle height: armpit at every age group and level.
40/20 kick not used. All the other International Laws apply. (In National Conference League Tier 3, 40/20 applies only when touch judges are appointed.)
13-a-side from Under 12, with unlimited substitutions.
Sin bin: 5 minutes at Under 12 to Under 16, 10 minutes from Under 17.
Ball size: size 4 for younger age groups and girls up to Under 18, size 5 for boys from Under 14, Under 19 and open age.

Under 11 and below play Primary Rugby League under the separate Primary Rugby League Rules 2026 and the Safe Play Code, not the Operational Rules.