2026 Automatic Qualifier Host Guidelines

ELIGIBILITY

• ‍Automatic qualifiers must have a minimum of 8 eligible teams.Teams from all divisions are eligible for Premier Cup Automatic Qualifiers (AQ)s, while all other AQs are division-specific. For example, DIII teams may not play in DII AQs, nor DI teams in DII AQs, etc. But all may play in Premier Cup AQs.
• The Division teams participated in for the Fall season must be the same as in the Spring.
• Second sides in qualifiers should be avoided where possible, but are permitted to round out numbers. Second sides do not count toward the 8-team minimum.
• No international teams.
• All teams must be registered with NCR and all players must meet NCR’s eligibility rules. While NCR does not require PEVs for qualifiers, tournament organizers may request PEVs. 

TIMING

• Best practice for rest time between matches is an hour, but the minimum time allowed between the end of a team’s match and the beginning of their next match is 40 minutes.
• The maximum number of games a team can play in a day is 5.
• The minimum time between kickoffs on the same field is 18 minutes.
• Halftimes should be two minutes wherever possible, but never less than 1 minute.

COMPETITION

• Position in pool competitions shall be determined by win/loss record, followed by head-to-head results, followed by point differential and points scored.
• Pool play matches do not go into extra time. All bracket and placing matches do.
• All extra time is sudden death. No exceptions.
• 3rd place matches should be scheduled/played whenever feasible.
• NCR is available for seeding/pooling assistance upon request.
• Tournament hosts set their own pricing structure to cover the cost of hosting. This amount should not exceed $500 unless there are additional circumstances.

NCR APP

• Submit the final schedule and a list of the participating team contacts no later than one week prior to the tournament.
  
• NCR will set up the event on the Exposure Competition System which will run on the NCR App.
• Designate a person to download the exposure app and input results on the day of the competition. Scores must be entered within 10 minutes after the match completion. Send a picture of your AQ champion on the day of your tournament to sophia@ncr.rugby.  We encourage you to send additional tournament photos that NCR may use on its social media coverage.

Key Deadlines

• Jan. 16 - last day for AQs to be approved
  
• Feb. 6 - last day for at-large tournaments to be submitted to the master list
• March 1 - last day to register a team for 7s competition
• March 1 - last day to declare you don’t intend to accept an AQ bid to the CRC if won. If you win an AQ and turn down the bid without declaring by March 6, you will be ineligible for postseason play for the 2026/2027 season.
• April 1 - last day to apply for an at-large bid
• April 11 - last day of qualification
• April 18 - Selection Saturday

Refs & Trainers

• Hosts are responsible for referee and trainer coverage. The minimum number of ATC is 1 for every 2 fields, but best practice is 1 per field.
  
• If you’re unable to get referees, NCR will assist where possible. Reach out in advance.
• ARs should be used whenever possible, especially in all knockout matches.

Acceptable Tournament Formats