MENISCUS CUP 2026
April 24 – 25, 2026,
L. Novomeského 29/7, Martin, pitch by the JFMED CU Upper student dormitory
Basic Information
- Minimum 6, maximum 15 players per team
- 5 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper on the pitch
- Approx. 16 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams (the final number of teams may be adjusted based on interest)
- Rolling substitutions (ice-hockey style – unlimited, at any time during the match)
- Futsal-size goals (2 m height × 3 m width)
- Group stage match time: 2 × 10 minutes, 2–3 minutes halftime
- Players are requested to unify jersey colors within each team; if two teams have identical jersey colors, bibs will be provided
- If a team is absent or more than 20 minutes late for a match, the result will be awarded as a 3–0 forfeit win to the opposing team
- Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 point
Advancement:
- The top 2 or 3 teams advance depending on the total number of registered teams and group format for the given category
- Example: 15 teams → 3 groups of 5 teams → 3 teams advance from each group
- 8 teams (women) / 16 teams (men) → groups of 4 → top 2 teams advance
PLAYOFF
- Match time: 2 × 15 minutes, 5 minutes halftime
- If the goal difference is less than one goal (one-goal difference), the final three minutes will be played as stopped time (the clock stops whenever play is interrupted to prevent time-wasting)
- In case of a draw in the playoffs, the match is decided by a penalty shootout (no extra time)
GAME RULES
- Match duration and number of players are specified above
- Kick-ins are taken with the foot (not throw-ins as in 11-a-side football). A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in; the ball must touch at least one other player
- Corner kicks, direct free kicks (after a foul), and penalty kicks (for fouls committed inside the marked penalty area) are taken in accordance with standard football rules, from the spot of the infringement or the designated corner/penalty mark
- There is no offside rule
- Goal kicks are taken from a designated goalkeeper zone marked a few meters from the goal line
- The goalkeeper may throw the ball by hand beyond the halfway line; however, kicks or drop-kicks may cross the halfway line
- When taking a goal kick, the goalkeeper may not be challenged by an opposing player, and opponents must not cross the penalty area line until the ball is in play
- Fouls, handball, and unsporting behavior are punished with yellow or red cards (see below for consequences)
CARDS
YELLOW CARD
- 2 yellow cards in one match = red card = 10-minute penalty (the penalized team plays with one player less for the specified time) + suspension from the next match.
- 3 yellow cards in different matches = suspension from the next match.
RED CARD
- 1 red card in one match = 10-minute penalty (the penalized team plays with one player less for the specified time) + suspension from the next match.
- 2 red cards in two different matches = suspension from the next two matches.
- 3 red cards in different matches = the team gets disqualified from the tournament.
After receiving a red card:
- The sent-off player may not re-enter the match or remain on the substitutes’ bench
- The team plays with one fewer player for 5 minutes; after this period, another player may enter as a substitute
- The player who received the red card is suspended for the following match
Tie-Breaking Criteria (Group Stage)
- Head-to-head result
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Drawing of lots
Registration
- Each team must register in person at the designated registration time through the team captain, who completes the registration form (registration outside the designated time may be arranged upon agreement due to players’ obligations)
- All team members must be listed on the registration form before the start of the tournament/their first match
- A player not listed on the team sheet may not participate; violation of this rule will result in a points deduction for the team
Meniscus Cup is a traditional football tournament organized annually by the students of the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Martin.
