Nationwide including Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Taichung & Taipei 2026/27 RULES & REGULATIONS

League Objective

Offering young footballers throughout Taiwan the opportunity to play regular, competitive football in order to develop both their talent and build new friendships. As of 2023 the Victory League is the first to offer a season long competition nationwide, catering to all levels of junior football from U8 to U19.

Note: These rules primarily apply to U8 to U12 age categories. Youth categories (U14, U16, and U19) are mentioned for reference only, but the Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA) rules take precedence over the guidelines below.

1. Age categories

U8 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2018 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2017
U9 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2017 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2016
U10 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2016 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2015
U11 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2015 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2014
U12 boys born on or after 01-Sep-2014 & girls on/after 01-Sep-2013
U14 boys & girls born on or after 01-JAN-2013
U16 boys born on or after 01-JAN-2011
U18/19 boys born on or after 01-JAN-2008 (no co-ed)

2. Player Registration and Match Eligibility

2.1 Pre-Season U8-U12

-All Districts: Before September 18th 2026

2.2 Mid-Season (U8-U12)

Between December 1st to December 31st, 2026.

* During the Mid-Season transfer window, a maximum of two (2) players may transfer to your team from another participating team within the same age category. Team managers are required to obtain a transfer approval notice from the original team of the player(s) prior to the transfer.
* A notification request must be made in writing to the league organisers to add new players during the Mid-Season window for approval.

2.3 Mid-Season (U14, U16, U19)

To follow CTFA Rules.

2.4 Player Registration Before Matches

Before their first match, every player must report to the registration desk to complete official check-in.
The process includes:

Verifying their name and date of birth against an official photo ID (e.g. passport, Taiwanese ID card).
Confirming their jersey number matches the details submitted by their team in the Victory League online registration system.

Once confirmed (U8 to U12), the player will receive a stamp on their hand/arm as proof of registration. Referees will check this before kick-off.

Important Notes:

Players who arrive after the scheduled kick-off will not be allowed to participate in that match.
If a player is found to have played without proper registration, their team will be penalized with a 6-point deduction from the league standings.

3. Game & Field Size

U8 to U12: 7v7, including goalkeeper (maximum registration of 18 players), minimum of 5 players required to start the game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit (see section 18 below).

Field Sizes:

U8 to U10: Min 36x26m / Max 50x35m
U11 & U12: Min 50x35m / Max 60x40m
U14,U16,U19: 11v11, including goalkeeper (maximum registration of 35 players), minimum of 9 players required to start the game. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit (see section 18 below).
Field Size: Min 100x60m / Max 110x73m

4. Game Duration & Location

(location subject to change with reasonable notice)

U8 to U12: 2x20minute halves, with a 5-minute half time break
U14: 2x35 minute halves, with a 10-minute half time break
U16: 2x40 minute halves, with a 10-minute half time break
U19: 2x45 minute halves, with a 15 minute half time break

4a) Parents and spectators are strictly prohibited from entering the designated team area. This area is reserved exclusively for coaches and players. Each team is permitted a maximum of three (3) coaches for U8-U12. Whereas U14-U19 registered staff and coaches listed are permitted.

4b) In the case of extreme high temperatures, a one-minute water break will be provided to on-field players at the midpoint of each half, once the ball is out of play and at the referee's discretion. Players must remain on the field during the break, and the additional minute will be added to the end of the half.

5. League Fixtures & Tables

League fixtures will be circulated approximately 2 weeks prior to season commencement.
Fixtures, results and league tables can be accessed at the official VL website. Results and tables will be updated within 24 hours of a game day.
Fixture Changes & Fees; as competitions increase, so do fixture rearrangement requests. Booking venues and referees incur costs, and efficient match day operations are crucial. While we'll try to accommodate changes within the existing structure, please note if extra field rental or even an alternative location is necessary then requesting teams will need to pay $3,000 per game (7v7), for youth league (11v11) contact CTFA.

FIFA Laws of the Game apply, other than the following exceptions (For U14, U16 & U19 where conflicts between these rules and Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA) then CTFA rules will govern).:

6. Offside Rule

U8 to U11: No offside rule applies.
U12: Offside applies only within the attacking third. A visible field marking will indicate the boundary of the offside area.
U14,U16,U19: FIFA offside rule applies.

7. Substitutions

U8-U12: Substitutions can be made at any time during the play and at half time with the referee’s permission. Player-off, before player-on applies. A player previously substituted can return to the game only as a further substitution (rolling substitutes).
U14: Rolling substitutes with unlimited players through 4 windows (maximum 3 windows in the 2nd half)
U16: Standard rules apply where the substituted player cannot return to the field of play. A maximum of 11 players can be substituted through 4 windows (maximum 3 windows in the 2nd half)
U19: Standard rules apply where the substituted player cannot return to the field of play. A maximum of 11 players can be substituted through 4 windows (maximum 3 windows in the 2nd half)

8. Goal Kicks U8 ONLY –

On goal-kicks the opposing team players MUST all retreat behind the halfway line.

9. Kick-off, corners, free kicks and goal kicks

U8 to U12:

Opponents must be a minimum 5 yards away.
From Kick-off, a goal can only be scored if the ball has been touched by another player from either the team in possession or the opposing team.

If a goal is scored without such contact, a goal kick shall be awarded to the opponent.
If kicked into the players own goal without such contact, a corner kick shall be awarded to the opponent.

U14, U16, U18: FIFA Rules Apply

10. Mercy Rule

U8 to U12 - The Victory League is an environment for children to develop through playing the game. Where playing levels will be mixed it’s important to challenge the stronger teams whilst not discouraging less experienced players and teams from continuing their football journey. With this in mind, a ‘Mercy Rule’ shall be applied as follows:

Where goals scored less goals conceded is 3 or greater: The team losing may bring on an extra (8th) player until such time the deficit is 2 or less.
The team coach is then responsible for asking the referees permission to add the 8th player.

U14, U16, U19 - No mercy rule applies.

11. Be Game Ready - Arrival Times

U8-U12 All teams must be ready 10 minutes before the appointed time and field of each match otherwise they may be liable to forfeit the match.
U14,U16,U18 All teams must arrive at the appointed venue a minimum 60 minutes before the scheduled kick off time.

12. Jersey Numbers

Each player must wear the same jersey number for the entire season, starting from the first game. Teams cannot have players with missing or duplicate numbers. If a player’s jersey is not numbered correctly, they will not be allowed to play. Numbers should be professionally printed, such markings with a pen or adhesive tape and so forth will not be accepted.

13. Colour Clash

U8 to U12: if either opponent does not have a change of shirt, the organiser shall provide different colours bibs (pinnies).
U14,U16,U19: each team is expected to have two uniforms (home and away), with one dark colour and the other a lighter colour. A third colour will be needed to differentiate the goalkeeper. The organizer shall announce by the Wednesday before the given match date which team will wear what colours.

14. Protective Eyewear

Players who require vision correction during matches must wear sports-specific eyewear that complies with the EN 166 or ASTM F803 standard. Eyewear must be made of impact-resistant materials, with no metal components or hinged arms, and must be secured with a head strap. Regular prescription glasses are not permitted unless fitted into approved protective frames

15. Red Card

A player who is sent off during a game will be disqualified from the next league match.

16. Playing for more than One Team

Except for approved transfers (see Rule 2), players may only play for one team within their own age group. Any player found violating this rule will receive a 12-game suspension from the Victory League (U8-U12).

Players are allowed to play for one additional team in the age group directly above their own (e.g., a U8 player may play in both U8 and U9) but must be from the same club. Any player violating this rule will receive a 12-game suspension from the Victory League (all age categories).

17. League Positions

will be determined through accumulated points. Win = 3 points; Draw = 1 point; Loss = 0 points

In the result of two or more teams accumulating the same amount of points within the same group, the deciding factor shall be based on (in determining order):

Head to head points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then
Heah to head goals conceded, then
Goal Difference, then
Goals scored, then
Goals conceded, then
Coin toss

Tie‑breaker rules across multiple groups (e.g. best‑placed 3rd teams, etc.)

When all groups have the same number of teams Teams are ranked using the following criteria, in order:

Total points accumulated
Goal difference
Goals scored
Goals conceded
Coin toss

When groups have an uneven number of teams Teams are ranked using average points per game, followed by:

Average points per game
Goal difference
Goals scored
Goals conceded
Coin toss

For Play-off Games (where applicable), a tied result shall be determined by the best of 5 penalty kicks, selected from the players who finished the game. If still tied, then sudden death applies using the remaining players who finished the game.

18. Forfeit of Games

If a team is unable to play a scheduled game and does not provide the organisers with at least two weeks’ notice the match and the points will be forfeited.
3 points and 3 goals will be awarded to the opposing team.
Where such a team cancels at the last minute the organisers will make its best efforts to ensure that the team affected by the late cancellation gets to play a friendly game against one of the other teams but not guaranteed.
If a team fails to show up for 2 games in a season, including last minute cancellations, then they will be withdrawn from the Victory League with no refund given.

19. Team Trophies & Medals

Team winners in each Category shall receive the Division Trophy, for VL1 teams medals for every player for the teams who finished 1st (gold), 2nd (silver), and 3rd (bronze). All other divisions medals for every player to the team who finished first (gold).

20. Individual Awards

The following individual awards shall be rewarded to each age category at the end of the season.

Season Golden Boot – the player who scores the most goals during the season. In the event of a tie, the number of games played by each player's team will be taken into consideration. The player whose team has played fewer games will be given the advantage. Goal count will only start from the second phase (VL1, VL2 etc.)
Season Golden Glove – will be awarded to the goalkeeper from the team that has conceded the fewest goals during the second phase (VL1, VL2 etc.). In the event of a tie the team that finishes the season in the higher position will have the advantage. The team coach will be contacted to confirm the primary goalkeeper's identity.
Season Most Valuable Player (MVP) – The coach of the winning team in each division will be contacted to nominate their most valuable player for the season.

21. Complaints Procedure

All complaints must be submitted in writing by the team manager or coach through the Victory League contact form.

https://www.victoryleague.com.tw/contacts/

The Organising Committee will review all complaints. Its decisions are final.
Referee decisions will not be changed, but valid complaints may be used to help train and improve referee standards.
Complaints about incorrectly registered players require a $3,000 deposit. If the complaint is upheld, the deposit will be refunded.
The Committee may handle any matters not covered in these rules and reserves the right to update the rules at any time.

22. Liability and Insurance

The Committee regrets they cannot accept liability for Players or Spectators injuries, or loss or damage to property. The committee strongly recommends that parents enrolling their child to participate in the League should take out appropriate insurance protection.

23. The League Parent Code of Conduct

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. Behaviour is an increasing concern in the game. This includes both the abuse of match officials and the unacceptable behaviour by over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the side-lines.

By signing your child into the Victory League 2026/27 Season you agree to play your part and observe The League Code of Conduct:

Be your child’s best fan and support him/her unconditionally.
Support all the players in your child’s squad. Do not criticise anyone.
Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result. Remember winning is not as important as the performance.
Do not criticise the opponents, their parents, or officials.
Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language at any time.
Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They WILL make mistakes but are trying their best.
Parents must not coach from the touchline during matches and leave this to the coach or you will cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence. Be positive in your support but not directional.

Failure to adhere to the above guidelines may result in parents or spectators receiving a warning. In the event of a subsequent violation, they will be politely asked to leave the field of play. Continued non-compliance may lead to the parent and/or respective child being banned from participating in the league.

24. Refund Policy

To ensure transparency and fairness for all participating teams, the following refund policy applies to league registration:

Full Refund: Teams that withdraw 45 days or more before the scheduled league kick-off are eligible for a 100% refund of their registration fees.
Partial Refund (50%): Teams who withdraw after the 45-day mark but before the official team draw or team leaders meeting are eligible for a 50% refund of their registration fees.
No Refund: After the official team draw or team leaders meeting has been held, no refunds will be issued for team withdrawals, regardless of the reason.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. This policy allows us to manage league logistics, venue bookings, staffing, and match preparations in a timely and professional manner.