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CAMPEONES CUP COMPETITION GUIDELINES
2 INDEX 1. General Provisions ..............................................................................................................................................3 2. Club Participation ...............................................................................................................................................4 3. Medical and Doping Control ..............................................................................................................................7 4. Competition ........................................................................................................................................................9 5. Operations.........................................................................................................................................................13 6. Commercial Rights ...........................................................................................................................................16 7. Languages. ........................................................................................................................................................20 1. General Provisions A. Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup.
20 1. General Provisions A. Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup. 1. These regulations for the 2025 Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup (the “Regulations”) govern the official annual competition between Major League Soccer (“MLS”) and LIGA BBVA MX (“LIGA MX”) clubs known as Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup (the “Event”). 2. The Event match will be on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Dignity Health Sports Park, in Los Angeles, California (the “Match”). 3. These Regulations set forth the rights, duties and responsibilities of all participants in the Event, including the LIGA MX club and MLS club participating in the Match (each, a “Club”), including Club delegation (e.g., players, Club officers, employees, coaches, technical staff, and medical personnel). B. Committees. 1. Organizing Committee. a. The Event organizing committee (the “Organizing Committee”) has the authority to organize, structure, and otherwise control the Event, including developing all regulations, guidelines and protocols related to the Event. The Organizing Committee will be exclusively composed of representatives from LIGA MX and MLS. For clarity, the Organizing Committee retains control over all final decisions related to the Event. b. The Organizing Committee shall, among other matters: i. Establish all Event regulations, policies, protocols, guidelines, and directives; ii. Establish all travel, hotels, hospitals, training camps, medical services, and activities related to the Event for the Clubs; iii. Oversee Event preparations; iv. Set the schedule and kick-off times for the Match; v. Appoint venue coordinators, Match Commissioners (as defined below), technical study groups, Venue Medical Director (as defined below), media officers, security leads (“Security Lead”) and other personnel for the Match (collectively, “Match Officials”); vi. Determine and establish all guidelines related to the eligibility of Match players, including reviewing infringements concerning the eligibility of Match players; vii. Determine whether to cancel, suspend, or postpone the Event, including as a result of force majeure events; viii. Select the official Match ball, Referee (as defined below) apparel supplier, and technical material; ix. Establish the Competition Committee, Disciplinary Committee, and Appeals Committee; x. Establish protocols that Clubs, Referees, and Match Officials must follow before, during, and after the Event; and xi. Oversee any aspect of the Event that is not the responsibility of any other body under the terms of these Regulations. 2. Competition Committee. The Event competition committee (the “Competition Committee”) has the authority to structure all competition matters, including related subcommittees, for the Event. 3. Disciplinary Committee. a. The Event disciplinary committee (the “Disciplinary Committee”) has the authority to apply, interpret, and enforce the Regulations, including reviewing and/or sanctioning violations of the 3 Regulations. All disciplinary incidents or violations of the Regulations will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee. In addition to the Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee may apply and interpret the FIFA Disciplinary Code and any supplemental discipline for Clubs, including players and/or technical staff. b. The Disciplinary Committee will consist of three (3) members: a member designated by MLS, a member designated by LIGA MX, and an independent member designated by the Organizing Committee. c. The Disciplinary Committee is authorized to review and/or apply the following: Cautions, warnings, economic sanctions, deductions of points, suspension, and/or disqualification of Clubs, their players and/or officials. d. The Organizing Committee may report any incident to the Disciplinary Committee for review. e. Disciplinary Committee decisions on and must be complied with by Clubs, including the Club delegation. f. Any summons, notifications, and/or decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee relating to the Club delegation (e.g., players, members of the technical staff, directors, or employees), will be provided to the Club. Notice will be deemed as duly notified upon the date of such communication. g. Club may only appeal the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee to the Appeals Committee. 4. Appeals Committee. The Event appeals committee (the “Appeals Committee”) has the authority to review appeals asserted in response to Disciplinary Committee decisions. The Appeals Committee will be made up of three (3) members: a member designated by MLS, a member designated by LIGA MX, and an independent member designated by the Organizing Committee. 5. The Organizing Committee, the Competition Committee, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Appeals Committee are collectively referred to as the “Event Committees.” 6. Any matters not provided for in these Regulations shall be decided by the Organizing Committee. All Event Committee decisions shall be final and binding and not subject to appeal. 2. Club Participation A. Event Qualifying. 1. The most recent MLS Cup champion, LA Galaxy, will participate as the MLS club. 2. The winner of LIGA MX’s Campeon de Campeones, Club Deportivo Toluca, will participate as the LIGA MX club. B. Hosting Club. 1. The Organizing Committee has appointed the most recent MLS Cup champion, LA Galaxy (the “Hosting Club”), as the host of the Event. 2. The Hosting Club is responsible for hosting the Event, as determined by the Organizing Committee. The Hosting Club must ensure that the venue at which the Match will be played (“Stadium”) meets the standards for hosting international matches, including maintaining the playing fields, facilities, and accessory equipment consistent with the Laws of the Game and FIFA Stadium Regulations. 3. The Hosting Club shall immediately enforce any decision by the Organizing Committee relating to the Hosting Club’s duties and responsibilities for the Event. C. Club Obligations. 1. Each Club shall be responsible for: a. Complying with all regulations, policies, protocols, guidelines, and directives established by the Organizing Committee, including these Regulations; 4 b. Ensuring that the conduct of Club delegation (e.g., players, technical staff and Club representatives) and of any person carrying out duties on its behalf throughout the Event complies comply with the Regulations; c. Providing health, travel and accident insurance cover for all the members of Club delegation throughout the Event; d. Paying all expenses designated as Club expenses, including incidental expenses incurred by Club delegation members and for any costs of extending the stay in the Match city, unless otherwise approved by the Organizing Committee; e. Applying for and receiving any and all required visas for the host country with sufficient time prior to traveling to the host country; f. Providing the Organizing Committee with all required information and documentation, including properly completed tax forms, within the required times and deadlines; g. Attending all official activities organized and authorized by the Organizing Committee, including press conferences and other official media activities; h. Providing coach and player access and availability for Event promotional needs (e.g., media interviews, content production, press events, rights holder interviews and access), including locker room access for host broadcasters prior to team arrivals, while players are in locker rooms prior to warm ups, and for post-Match celebrations in the locker rooms; i. Adhering to all health and safety regulations (e.g., vaccination regulations and COVID-19 detection protocol), in accordance with the Organizing Committee, federal, state and/or local government protocols; j. Complying with logistics, itineraries, flights, training sessions, and other activities organized by the Organizing Committee; and k. The 2025-2026 Laws of the Game as approved by the International Football Association Board (“IFAB”) and published by FIFA (collectively, “Laws of the Game"), as well as the principles of fair play, including: i. The Match will last ninety (90) minutes, divided in two (2) halves of forty-five (45) minutes each with a half-time period of fifteen (15) minutes between each half; ii. If the Match should end in a tie at the end of the ninety (90) minutes, the winner shall be decided by penalty kicks. To clarify, no extra time will be played if the match ends in a tie at the end of the ninety (90) minutes; iii. Each Club will be allowed a maximum of five (5) normal substitutions in three (3) substitution windows. Substitutions made at half-time will not be considered a substitution window; however, substitutions will each be counted as one (1) substitution. Substitutions made during a hydration break will be considered a substitution window. In addition, if each Club makes the substitution at the same window, a “normal” substitution will be deducted from each Club. If the Match is delayed or interrupted due to an emergency event or force majeure, substitutions made during this time period will not be considered a substitution window; however, substitutions will each be counted as one (1) substitution. l. All Organizing Committee marketing and media requirements, including the Team Media Day in which individual and group photos and video will be taken of each team upon their arrival at the venue; and m. All anti-match-fixing regulations and sports betting regulations adopted by the Organizing Committee. 2. Clubs must, and must cause Club delegation (e.g., players, technical staff and employees) to, refrain from any illegal, immoral or unethical behavior that damages, or could damage, the integrity and 5 reputation of the Event or the sport, and to fully cooperate with the Organizing Committee at all times in its efforts to prevent, investigate and sanction such behavior. 3. Each Club that does not abide by the regulations of the Competition may be subject to a financial fine, as determined by the Organizing Committee. D. Match Withdrawal, Suspension, and Cancelation. 1. Clubs must participate in the Event as determined by the Organizing Committee, including participating in the Match. 2. In the event any Club cancels its participation in the Match, the Organizing Committee and the corresponding league will analyze the case and determine any sanction. 3. The Organizing Committee shall determine whether the Match is played, with the main objective to complete the Match, including if a Club withdraws, Match delay or suspension as a result of force majeure, or other reasons as determined by the Organizing Committee. 4. If the Match is delayed due to a force majeure event or other reasons as determined by the Organizing Committee, the Referee and Match Commissioner will follow the below procedure. a. The Match will be delayed forty-five (45) minutes unless the Referee and Match Commissioner decide that the Match can resume sooner. b. If the Match cannot resume after forty-five (45) minutes, the Referee and Match Commissioner may issue an additional delay of the Match. c. If the Match cannot resume after the second delay extension, the Referee and Match Commissioner must declare that the Match has been suspended. d. If the Match is suspended, the Organizing Committee will reschedule the Match (e.g., date and time that the Match) for within the following twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours. e. If the Organizing Committee cannot reschedule the Match, the Organizing Committee shall make the final decision about whether to cancel (and, if cancelled, a determination of the final result) of the Match. f. Clubs must remain in the Stadium until the resumption and/or suspension of the delayed Match unless it is rescheduled for another day. 5. If the Match is rescheduled by the Organizing Committee after the Match had begun, the below principles will apply. a. The Match may be resumed within the next twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours. b. Once resumed, the Match will resume at the minute at which play was interrupted rather than being replayed in full, and with the same score line. c. The Match will resume with the same players on the pitch, substitute players, discipline applied (yellow, red cards), and number of substitutions per Club available as when the Match was abandoned. Players that received a red card may not participate and cannot be replaced with a substitute. d. No additional substitutes may be added to the list of players on the team sheet. e. The Club teams can make only the number of substitutions to which they were still entitled when the match was rescheduled. f. If a Club has used all substitutions and a player is unavailable to play the rescheduled Match due to injury (e.g., concussion) or illness, then the Club may replace the player, provided that, the Organizing Committee will have the right to independently confirm the player’s unavailability. Such substitution will be deemed as substitution window and will provide the opposing Club with an additional substitution and substitution window. 6 g. Club players sent off before the Match was rescheduled cannot be replaced. h. Any sanctions imposed before the Match was rescheduled remain valid for the remainder of the Match. i. The kick-off time, date, and location shall be decided by the Organizing Committee. j. Any other factor not mentioned in the Regulations will be addressed and determined by the Organizing Committee. 6. If racist or discriminatory chants occur during the Match, the Referee, Match Commissioner and Security Lead will follow the Racist/Discriminatory protocol set forth by the Organizing Committee, consistent with FIFA requirements: a. If the racist / discriminatory behavior is widespread a reactionary message can be played. The message and corresponding graphics will be played during the run of play. b. Step 1: Stop the Match – If the proactive and/ or reactive announcements are not effective in stopping the widespread racist / discriminatory behavior, the Match should be stopped by the Referee consistent with Step One of the FIFA 3 Step Protocol. If the racist / discriminatory behavior is widespread a Warning for Step 2 message can be played. The message and corresponding graphics will be played during the run of play. c. Step 2: Suspend the Match – If the discriminatory behavior continues and is widespread the Match shall be suspended for a reasonable time. The Referee shall inform the teams to return to the dressing rooms and a public announcement shall be made informing of the suspension. If the racist / discriminatory behavior is widespread a Warning for Step 3 message can be played. The message and corresponding graphics will be played during the run of play. d. Step 3: Abandon the Match – If suspending the Match proves ineffective in controlling the undesired behavior because (1) the discriminatory behavior does not cease once the Match has restarted, or (2) the match was not able to be restarted, the Match may be abandoned. It will be at the discretion of the Referees, Match Commissioner, Security Lead, and the Organizing Committee to determine whether to continue the Match, taking into account security factors and overall public safety. The abandoning of the match shall only be taken as a very last resort and after all other possible measures have been implemented. If a Match is abandoned, the Organizing Committee shall make the final decision about whether to reschedule or cancel (and, if cancelled, a determination of the final result). 3. Medical and Doping Control A. Each Club is required to comply with the medical and doping protocols as developed by their respective league. B. Prior to the start of the Event, all participating players are required to have approved entrance medical examinations as part of their respective league’s rules and regulations. This includes baseline concussion testing inclusive of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (“SCAT”). C. Each Club is required to have a duly licensed medical professional (e.g., physician, athletic trainer/therapist) as part of its official delegation. Such medical professional must be fully integrated and familiar with all medical aspects of the delegation and must remain with the delegation throughout the Event. Additionally, each Club must travel with basic medical supplies, including an Automatic External Defibrillator (“AED”). D. Venue Medical Directors (“VMD”). 1. VMDs appointed by the Organizing Committee will be present at the Match and are responsible for the care and well-being of both Clubs, Referees and Match Officials during the Match and will have the final decision on medical emergencies that occur during the Match, including cardiovascular and head injuries, as well as be familiar with the relevant venue’s Emergency Action Plan (“EAP”). 7 VMDs will be in communication with dedicated Match Spotters who will monitor the Match through the Medical Sideline Review (“MSR”) system, to assist with identifying potential head injuries. 2. Additionally, the VMD will be the primary point of contact and act as the liaison to the visiting team while they are in market and be the main point of contact for the Organizing Committee in the event of a medical issue. E. Any player who is diagnosed with a concussion must be withheld from Match play. F. Anti-doping. Doping is strictly prohibited. The FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations, the FIFA Disciplinary Code and all other relevant FIFA as well as the Confederation of North America, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (“Concacaf”) Regulations, circulars and directives shall apply to the Match. If there is medical need as defined by the Player’s doctor, then a therapeutic use exemption application must be filed by the Club doctor and sent fourteen (14) days prior to the applicable Match for chronic conditions, and as soon as possible for acute conditions, as follows: 1. In the case of Liga MX Players, to the FMF Medical Committee; and 2. In the case of MLS Players, to the MLS SABH Program. G. The Organizing Committee shall not be held liable for any injury sustained by any participating player or official. Equally, the Organizing Committee shall not be held liable for any incident (including death) linked to any injury or health problem(s) of any participating player or official. H. As stated in these Regulations, each Club shall be responsible throughout the Event for providing health, travel, and accident insurance coverage for all the members of its delegation throughout the Event. In addition, and in accordance with the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, the Club with which any participating player is registered shall be responsible for the player’s insurance coverage against illness and accident during the entire period of the player’s release. I. J. The Organizing Committee will provide medical services before, during and after the match for the care of Clubs, Match Officials, and spectators, such as: 1. VMD; 2. Two (2) Advanced Life Support (“ALS”) ambulances; 3. Two (2) stretcher crews with support staff (four (4) stretcher-bearers each) who will be attentive and conduct themselves in a neutral and professional manner; and 4. An equipped ambulance during visiting team training sessions. Protocol, Concussion Substitutions of the Laws of the Game. 1. In addition to the five (5) “normal” substitutions in three (3) windows set out above, each Club will be permitted to make up to an additional “concussion substitution” when there is a suspected/possible concussion. 2. This “concussion substitution” is permitted regardless of how many “normal” substitutions or windows have already been used. 3. A “concussion substitution” may be made: a. immediately after a concussion occurs or is suspected; b. after an on-field assessment, and/or after an off-field assessment; or c. at any other time when a concussion occurs or is suspected (including when a player has previously been assessed and has returned to the field of play). 4. When a “concussion substitute” is used, the opposing team then has the option to make an “additional” substitution as well as an additional substitution window for any reason. Said substitution and substitution window may or may not be used at the same time as the opposing team’s “concussion substitution”. 8 5. A Club’s “additional” substitution can only be used after the Club has used all its “normal” substitutes or substitution windows. 6. At the time of the “additional” substitution, only the “additional” substitute may enter the game. If the Club has used its three (3) substitution windows ,but has not used their five (5) “normal” substitutions, the Club will not be permitted to use any remaining “normal” substitutes in the same window as the “additional” substitution. 7. If a Club makes a non-concussion substitution at the same window in which a “concussion substitution” is being made, that Club will have used one (1) “normal” substitution. K. Off-Field Treatment Rule. 1. When a player remains on the ground for fifteen (:15) or more seconds and the Referee stops the Match and the medical staff enters the field of play, the player is subject to the off-field treatment rule as set out in these Regulations (“Off-Field Treatment Rule”). Once the medical staff has completed their on-field assessment, the player will be removed from the field for sixty (60) seconds for additional treatment. The Fourth Official will permit the player to return at the next permissible opportunity after the sixty (60) second treatment period expires. 2. The player is not required to leave the field for the sixty (60) second treatment period if: a. A player indicates to the Referee that player does not need the medical staff to enter the field and resumes playing; b. The player voluntarily removes himself from the field of play to receive treatment from medical staff; c. The player is injured on a foul that resulted in a yellow or red card. d. A red card or yellow card is rescinded (except if the card is rescinded prior to medical staff entering the field); e. Potential head injury; and f. Cardiac issue or life-threatening event. 3. Off-Field Treatment Rule does not apply to the assessment of the potential injuries involving the following: a. Goalkeepers; b. Penalty kick situations when the potentially injured player is the penalty kick taker; c. If a Penalty Kick is rescinded, the player is not required to leave the field (except if the potentially injured player is also the penalty kick taker); d. Instances when two (2) players on the same team require medical staff to enter the field for an injury; e. Collisions involving the goalkeeper and an opposing player whereby both players require medical attention; or f. A player is bleeding. g. Time is kept by the Fourth Official with support from the AVAR. 4. Competition A. Match Commissioner. The Organizing Committee will designate one (1) match commissioner (“Match Commissioner”) and one (1) security officer for the Match. B. Team Arrival and Obligations. 1. Each Club must arrive at the hosting city at least two (2) days before the Match. 9 2. Each Club must attend a Team Arrival Meeting (“TAM”) upon arrival at the Match. The schedule and agenda for such TAM will be communicated prior to the Match. 3. Each Club must attend a Match Coordination Meeting (“MCM”) on MD-1. Two (2) members of each Club are required to attend. The schedule and agenda for the MCM will be communicated prior to the Match. 4. The trainings for both Clubs will take place on MD-1 at set times by the Organizing Committee at the Match venue or as otherwise determined by the Organizing Committee. Trainings will not surpass ninety (90) minutes. 5. A pregame press conference will take place for each Club on MD-1 at the Match venue. Each Club will ensure that the head coach and two (2) Club players will attend this press conference for no more than thirty (30) minutes at a mutually agreed upon location and time. 6. As part of the social responsibility efforts of the Event, the Clubs are obligated to designate three (3) mutually agreed players to participate in a one (1) hour community relations event as determined by the Organizing Committee. 7. On MD, each Club is responsible for arriving at the Stadium at least ninety (90) minutes before the kick-off of the Match. C. Team Entry – Eligibility of Players and Team Registration. 1. The Club players and members of the coaching staff that will participate in the Match must be registered and confirmed by its respective league, being either LIGA MX or MLS. 2. The Clubs shall be responsible for fielding only eligible players. Failure to do so shall lead to the consequences stipulated in the applicable regulations, including these Regulations. D. Start List. 1. Both Clubs must submit their official roster of no more than thirty (30) players and fifteen (15) technical staff members to the Organizing Committee by September 26, 2025. 2. By September 30, 2025, the preliminary lineup of twenty-six (26) players and ten (10) technical staff members must be submitted to the Organizing Committee. 3. From the twenty-six (26) players on the preliminary lineup, only twenty-three (23) players will appear on the official starting lineup (11 starting players and 12 substitute players). 4. The list of players shall be published by the Organizing Committee and will be made public. 5. Should a Club add a new player to its roster and abide by the roster rules and regulations of these Regulations, said player will be eligible to participate in the Event. 6. The numbers on the players’ shirts must correspond to the numbers indicated on the start list. The start list shall be signed by the head coach. 7. Each Club is responsible for ensuring that the start list is completed properly and submitted on time, and that only the selected players start the Match. 8. The Clubs must enter the matchday lineup in the competition system at least ninety (90) minutes before the start of the Match. 9. If any of the eleven (11) players submitted on the starting lineup are not able to begin the Match due to sudden injury or illness, they may be replaced by any of the eligible substitutes as long as the Match Commissioner is officially informed prior to kick-off. This will not count towards the five (5) substitutions allowed per team. Additionally, the empty spot on the substitution bench shall be occupied by one of the players on the twenty-six (26) man roster submitted as part of the preliminary list, that was not considered as part of the twenty-three (23) man starting lineup. Clubs may request this type of substitution up to fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the Match. 10 10. If this substitution is made with less than fifteen (15) minutes before the start of the Match, then no replacement player can be included in the substitute bench and the Club will have a maximum of nine (9) substitute players available. 11. Further to the above, any injured or ill player who is removed from the start list will no longer be eligible to take part in the Match and thus cannot be selected as a substitute player at any time during the Match. Such a change to the start list will not reduce the number of official substitutions that may be made by a Club during the Match. In accordance with the Laws of the Game, up to a maximum of five (5) substitutions in three (3) moments may still be made. 12. Although no longer eligible to play as a substitute, the injured or ill player who was removed from the start list may not be seated on the substitutes’ bench; however, the player would remain eligible for doping control selection. 13. Only the players who were identified on the official start list submitted to the Match Commissioner or were confirmed as a warm-up injury/illness replacement player, may start the Match. In the case of any discrepancies of players on the pitch at the beginning of the Match, the matter will be submitted to the Match Commissioner for a decision. E. Technical Area. No more than twenty-one (21) people (9 technical staff and 12 substitute players) shall be allowed to sit on the substitutes’ bench. The names of the technical staff in the technical area must be indicated on the form designated by the Organizing Committee, which must be submitted by a Match official to the Match Commissioner and the Referees prior to the Match. The technical staff members on the substitutes’ bench must include a head coach, assistant coach, fitness coach and two (2) medical staff members (i.e., a doctor, medical assistant, physiotherapist, physicians or athletic trainer/therapist. A suspended player or official may not sit in the technical area. F. Refereeing. 1. The referees, assistant referees, fourth officials and reserve assistant referees (“Referees”) shall be appointed by Concacaf. They shall be selected from the FIFA International Refereeing list in force and shall be neutral. 2. Every effort to appoint neutral Referees will be made; provided, however, neutralities may not be possible for VAR (as defined below) and AVAR (as defined below) appointments due to an insufficient number of officials from a neutral country. 3. If the Referee is prevented from carrying out his duties, such Referee shall be replaced by the fourth official. If one of the assistant Referees is prevented from carrying out his duties, such assistant referee shall be replaced by the reserve assistant Referee. 4. The Referees shall receive the official refereeing kit and equipment from Concacaf. They shall wear and use only this kit on the day of the Match. 5. The Referees shall be given the opportunity to use training facilities. 6. After the Match, the Referee shall complete the report forms and submit them to the competition system no later than sixty (60) minutes after the end of the Match. 7. On the report form, the Referee shall note, along with the Match results, all incidents before, during, and after the Match in as much detail as possible, such as: a. Misconduct of players and team officials, leading to caution or expulsion; b. Unsporting behavior of officials and/or any person acting on behalf of the Club at the Match; c. Unsporting behavior of any supporters; d. Any other incidents. 8. The incidents described in the Referee’s report are presumed to be true, unless proven otherwise. G. Video Assistant Referee and Virtual Offside Line (VOL). 11 1. During the Match, video review technology will be used, according to the VAR Protocol established by FIFA and the IFAB. A Video Assistant Referee (“VAR”) and Assistant Video Assistant Referee (“AVAR”) will manage all aspects of video review and the Virtual Offside Line (“VOL”). 2. Notwithstanding the above, the Match will not be invalidated because of: a. Malfunction(s) of the VAR technology (as for goal line technology); b. Incorrect decision(s) involving the VAR; c. Decision(s) not to review an incident; and/or d. Review(s) of a non-reviewable situation/decision. H. Field Of Play, Stadiums, Training Sites. 1. Hosting Club must provide the field of play for the Match in compliance with standards set by FIFA for international matches. 2. The fields of play, accessory equipment and all facilities for the Match shall be in optimum condition and comply with the Laws of the Game, FIFA Stadium Regulations and all other relevant regulations. 3. Each Club will be provided with a training site for their exclusive use. The training sites shall be made available for the exclusive use of the teams at least two (2) days before the Match unless otherwise provided for by the Organizing Committee. 4. Weather and field conditions permitting, teams that are due to play the Match will be entitled to one 90-minute training session in that Stadium on MD-1. The times for such sessions will be set by the Organizing Committee. In the event of a conflict between the Clubs requested times, the LIGA MX club’s requested time shall control. Clubs must abide by such times assigned. 5. If the pitch is not in good condition or the training session would negatively affect the state of the pitch, the Organizing Committee may shorten or cancel the training session and direct the Clubs only to inspect the pitch wearing training shoes. 6. If weather conditions do not allow the training session to be held at the Stadium, the visiting Club may hold the training session at an alternative field with similar quality of pitch, dimensions and if necessary, lighting. 7. The Organizing Committee will use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the training sites are within a 20-minute bus drive from the team hotel. 8. Each training site shall have corresponding support personnel and suitable training site equipment, including and movable goals. Each training site shall be equipped with at least one dressing room with lockers, showers and toilets. 9. The Clubs will be entitled to warm up on the field of play before the Match for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes, weather permitting and other conditions permitting. 10. The Stadium shall have sufficient space behind the goals to allow the players to warm up during the Match. A maximum of six (6) players shall warm up at the same time (with a maximum of one (1) member of the coaching staff member). I. Accreditation. 1. The Organizing Committee shall issue each official Team Delegation Member with an official accreditation, which shall be subject to any and all credential guidelines, rules and policies set out by the Organizing Committee. 2. Only those players who are in possession of such an accreditation are entitled to play in the Match. The accreditation should always be visible. 12 3. The Clubs shall ensure that all accreditation data required by the Organizing Committee is submitted by the deadline. J. Team Equipment. The Clubs shall comply with the FIFA Equipment Regulations. The display of political, religious, or personal messages or slogans in any language or form by players and officials on their playing or team kits, equipment (including kit bags, beverage containers, medical bags, etc.) or body is prohibited. K. Team Colors. Each Club shall inform the Organizing Committee of two different and contrasting colors (one predominately dark and one predominately light) for its official and reserve team kits (shirt, shorts and socks) no later than September 17, 2025. In addition, each team shall select three contrasting colors for the goalkeepers. These three goalkeeper kits must be distinctly different and contrasting from each other as well as different and contrasting from the official and reserve team kits. This information shall be sent to the Organizing Committee via email and may not be changed after September 17, 2025 unless otherwise approved by the Organizing Committee. Only these colors may be worn at the Match. L. Team Kit Approval Procedures. 1. Each Club shall provide the Organizing Committee with exact samples, including names and numbers, of the following equipment: a. official and reserve kits (two sets of shirts, shorts, socks); b. three sets of the goalkeeper’s kit (shirts, shorts, socks); c. goalkeeper’s gloves and caps; d. all equipment that will be worn by the substitute players and the technical staff sitting on the bench during the Match. 2. The approval procedure for all such kits and the applicable deadlines will be communicated via a circular letter or at the MCM. M. Players’ Names and Numbers. 1. Throughout the Match, each player shall wear the number assigned to him on the final list. Such number shall be displayed on the front and back of his shirt and on his shorts in accordance with the FIFA Equipment Regulations. The colors of the numbers must contrast clearly with the main color of the shirts and shorts (light or dark or vice versa) and be legible from a reasonable distance for spectators in the Stadium and television viewers in accordance with the FIFA Equipment Regulations. 2. The player’s last name, popular name or abbreviation thereof shall be affixed above the number on the back of the shirt and shall be clearly legible in accordance with the FIFA Equipment Regulations. 3. All players must use the same jersey number with which they are registered in their respective leagues and may not change their number for the Event. N. Goalkeepers’ Shirts Without Name and Number. In addition to all of the above (and as the only exception), each Club shall supply a set of goalkeeper shirts without names or numbers. These shirts will only be used in those special circumstances in which an outfield player must take the position of goalkeeper during the Match. This extra set of goalkeeper shirts must be provided in the same three colors as the regular goalkeeper shirts. 5. Operations A. Match Balls. 1. The Organizing Committee will provide to Club Toluca FC with twenty (20) official Major League Soccer soccer balls for use in the training sessions, which will be delivered to the Club’s hotel. Each Club will be responsible for taking the soccer balls to the Stadium. 13 2. The Organizing Committee will provide the Hosting Club with a minimum of sixteen (16) official match balls) for the Match. The Hosting Club will be responsible for providing such Match balls to the Match Officials. When inflated, each soccer ball must not exceed more than fourteen (14) ounces/psi and no less than twelve (12) ounces/psi. All Match balls must be delivered to the locker room of the Match Officials at least ninety (90) minutes prior to kick-off to pass inspection. Replacement balls needed during the Match must be provided if necessary and must be inspected by the Fourth Official prior to being used in the Match. All Match balls in the possession of the Match Officials must be returned to the Organizing Committee after the Match. 3. Soccer balls should be distributed as depicted in the below schematic and as follows: a. One (1) in play; b. One (1) stationed at the Fourth Match Official’s table either on a Ball Stand or on the table; c. A minimum of thirteen (13) placed on the Ball Stands (as defined below); d. One (1) behind each goal’s AdTrac/LED field boards on the ground and accessible by the ball kids. B. Ball Stands and Ball Kids. 1. Ball stands (each, a “Ball Stand”) will be implemented in the Match. The Stadium requires a minimum of thirteen (13) and maximum of fourteen (14) total Ball Stands in the following locations around the perimeter of the field: five (5) on the sideline opposite the benches; two (2) on both goal lines positioned on either side of the goal; two (2) outside each Club technical area for a total of four (4) on the bench sideline or five (5) if an additional stand is used at the Match Official’s Table. The Stadium has preselected and will be provided with Ball Stand versions suitable to their Stadium confines as follows: 14 2. Ball Stands will be placed around the field as follows: 3. One (1) redundancy of each Ball Stand version utilized in the Stadium will be stored at the venue and/or used at the Fourth Official’s table and accessible at any time. Ball Stands behind a single goal must be the same version unless two (2) different versions are necessary to accommodate Stadium configurations. Ball Stands on either end of the field are not required to be the same version. The Match Commissioner must ensure that Ball Stands and each respective Ball Stand ball is secure from any interference. The Hosting Club will have between eight (8) to twelve (12) ball retrievers in matching bibs provided by the Organizing Committee (each, a “Ball Kids”). The Organizing Committee will confirm the exact number of Ball Kids required prior to the Match. a. The Hosting Club is responsible for ensuring uniform distribution of Ball Kids around the field so that one end and/or sideline of the field is not disadvantaged, and that the procedure for returning balls to the ball stands is equal for each Club. b. Hosting Club must provide a Ball Kid supervisor who will be responsible for the training and instruction of the Ball Kids, including instruction on not to exhibit favoritism for either Club. If there is a perceived attempt by a Ball Kid to exhibit favoritism toward either Club (e.g., the method or speed that a ball is returned to Ball Stands), then the Match Commissioner or Match Official will take appropriate action, which may include reporting the infraction to the Ball Retrievers Supervisor and/or replacing the Ball Kid. c. Ball Kid will be responsible for ensuring a ball is always on the Ball Stand and for replacing the ball on the Ball Stand, as needed. If the ball is out of play, a player may either retrieve the ball from the Ball Stand or request the Ball Kid hand the ball that was out of bounds directly to the player. d. At no time should any individual member of either Club’s bench personnel, including substitute(d) players, staff members, or coaches deliver a spare replacement ball and/or the ball from the Ball Stand directly to a player or back onto the field. e. Any player who removes a ball from a Ball Stand when his Club is not in possession of the restart and/or for any other inappropriate reason may be cautioned by the Referee for unsporting behavior. 15 C. Other Equipment. The use of technological devices such as communication devices, tablets and systems that are regulated under the Laws of the Game will be allowed for the limited purposes of explaining plays graphically, making annotations and keeping a record of the match. The use of these devices to contest officiating decisions or to object to a decision made by the Referee strictly forbidden. An individual who breaches these provisions will be sanctioned by the Referee and may also be sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee, depending on the seriousness of the case. D. Smoking is not permitted in the Match areas such as the dressing rooms, the tunnel areas, the technical areas, and the pitch perimeter areas. E. Ceremony, Flags and Anthems. 1. During the Match, the Event, host and visiting country flags shall be flown inside the Stadium. 2. The national anthems of the two Clubs will be played. 3. The opening ceremony protocol prior to the Match will consist of walking onto the field in formation, presentation of the national anthems, handshakes amongst the Clubs and Referees, official photos, and coin toss amongst the Club captains. 4. In the award presentation post-game, the Trophy will be given to the Club that has been declared the winner of the Event. F. Championship Celebration. 1. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to hold winning Club celebrations in the locker room or any other area designated by the Organizing Committee featuring Campeones Cup official partners (i.e., Michelob ULTRA). Such celebration shall be free of any competing Club partner product (e.g. free from champagne, other beer or other alcohol). 2. The Organizing Committee’s designated photographer and videographer must receive full access to the winning Club’s locker room or substitute designated celebration area to capture the post-Match celebration. G. Trophy and Awards. 1. The trophy awarded to the winner of the Match (“Trophy”) must always remain within the relevant Club’s control and must not leave the region or country of its association without the prior written consent of the Organizing Committee. 2. Clubs must not permit the Trophy to be used in any context where a third party (including, a Club’s sponsors and/or other commercial partners) is granted visibility, access and/or use, or in any way which could lead to any perceived association between a third party and the Trophy, Event, and/or MLS. 3. The Organizing Committee will present the winning team with the Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup Trophy. 4. Special awards may be presented to the Player of the Match, which will be awarded to the best player in the Match on the basis of a vote from media in the Stadium press box. The Organizing Committee will determine the presenter of such award prior to the Match. 6. Commercial Rights A. Promotional Rights. 1. The official name of the Event is “Michelob Ultra Campeones Cup”. 2. The Organizing Committee, in its sole discretion, may change the official name of the Event and include or remove a title or presenting sponsor in the official name and the official marks. 3. Upon written notice to all Clubs of any changes to the official name and marks of the competition, Clubs must immediately start using the new official name and undertake a comprehensive review 16 and update process of the Club’s communications, digital, marketing, and promotional platforms to ensure that the new branding is implemented across all communication touchpoints. 4. Soccer United Marketing, LLC (“SUM”) is the exclusive owner and/or rightsholder of all commercial rights to the Event intellectual property, which includes all current and future trademarks, copyrights, designs, names, slogans, trophy designs, logos, brands, music, any photography or footage captured during the Event, any content created regarding the Event, or any other indicia of the Event (the “Event IP”). Any use of the above rights requires prior written approval from SUM and must comply with any conditions imposed by the Organizing Committee. 5. Any material proposed by a Club that includes the Event IP must follow the specifications/conditions outlined in the approved creative toolkit. If you have any questions, please contact SUM for review. Please provide such materials to SUM for review at least four (4) business days prior to the date the material is intended for use. For the sake of clarity, all footage and photography captured during the Event and any content created regarding the Event shall be owned by SUM. 6. Clubs must use SUM provided backdrops for all media and content capture spaces at team training and Stadium. B. Commercial Rights. 1. SUM is the exclusive owner of any and all exploitation rights for the Event (which include any Event commercial, media, marketing, consumer goods and data rights (the “Event Commercial Rights”). SUM expressly reserves all Event Commercial Rights; Clubs are strictly prohibited from selling any Event Commercial Rights. a. Clubs are not permitted to create or sell their own Event merchandise (co-branded or otherwise) without the prior written approval of SUM. b. Clubs may not provide any field of play exposure (e.g., field boards, sideline hydration presence, etc.) to Club partners. 2. In the event a Club partner has been granted “permanent” branding on Stadium brick and mortar fixtures in Club-controlled spaces (e.g., athletic training room and weight room walls, team meeting room furniture and walls, etc.) such branding does not need to be removed or covered. 3. Clubs must ensure that no promotional materials (e.g., signs, thunder sticks, seat cushions, etc.) are handed out to fans entering the Stadium and that no promotional materials are allowed to enter the Stadium without the prior written approval of SUM. 4. Game presentation elements, such as Ball Kids, flag bearers, and player escorts are considered Event Commercial Rights; provided that certain elements (i.e., Ball Kids apparel) will remove references to Michelob Ultra if associated with individuals under the age of 21. 5. Only logos of official Event partners may be displayed at press conferences, flash zone interviews, and mixed zone at the Match. The official team clothing of all players, coaches, and team personnel participating in press conferences and/or interviews on the day before the Match (“MD-1”) and the day of the Match (“MD”) must also be official team gear only. C. Club Uniforms. 1. The Organizing Committee shall supply a sufficient number of players’ badges with the official Event logo which shall be affixed on the right sleeve on each jersey. In the case the event captain armbands are not provided by the Organizing Committee three (3) days prior to the Match, then each Club will use their respective league’s captain armband. 2. Clubs, technical directors and team delegates participating in the Event must utilize Club-official apparel on MD-1 and MD official Event activities. These include Stadium jackets, rain jackets, hats, polo shirts, and socks. D. Training Fields and Match Field. 17 1. Training Fields. SUM controls all Event Commercial Rights in the field of play at training fields, and Clubs will have no right to grant any Club partner any exposure in the field of play without the express written consent of SUM. 2. Match Field. a. SUM controls all Event Commercial Rights in the field of play at the Match, and Clubs will have no right to grant to any Club partner any exposure in the field of play without the express written consent of SUM. b. SUM will utilize existing LED field boards inside the Stadium for the Match. SUM will control all LED inventory. c. Static field boards will be executed at the Match. Where applicable, this will be implemented utilizing the LED field boards. SUM will control all inventory. 3. Sideline Hydration Presence. All Clubs must use unbranded product and equipment for all training sessions, the Match and other Club-specific activities. Clubs will be provided certain product upon arrival (e.g., squeeze bottles, carriers, small coolers and towels), but must travel with and manage their own equipment throughout their training sessions, the Match, and other Club-specific activities. E. Stadiums. 1. “Exclusive Areas” shall mean the areas of the Stadium that a Club must provide to SUM free of any commercial signage (regardless of the type of signage – temporary or permanent) for the exploitation and protection of the commercial rights of official Event partners. These areas include the following: a. The area comprising the field of play and up to thirty (30) feet off the field of play; b. All Stadium video or message boards and LED boards, including field boards, ribbon boards, and IPTV. 2. The Organizing Committee does not consider any LED signage as permanent signage. 3. Covering of Stadium Signage. a. Clubs are responsible for covering or removing any commercial, institutional, or third-party signage within the Exclusive Areas. b. In situations where SUM does not cover any such signage with Event institutional branding, it is the Club’s responsibility to cover or remove such signage. If there is any signage within the Exclusive Area that cannot be covered for any reason, the Club must inform SUM at least thirty (30) days prior to the Match and submit photos of said signage for review and approval. All commercial and institutional signage must be covered by MD-1, prior to the official training sessions of the participating teams. c. Coolers, water bottles, towels, bibs, medical bags, stretchers, team bags, golf carts and any other special materials used in the Stadium on MD-1 and MD must be clean of any commercial brands (other than brands of approved Event commercial partners.) d. If the Stadium has any digital signage (including, but not limited to Stadium video screen, electronic message boards, LED boards, ribbon boards, and IPTV), they will exclusively be reserved for Event messages and usage. Any other usages, including Club institutional messages and branding, will need to be approved by SUM explicitly and in writing. The use of such digital mediums, including the LED field board system in the Stadium, shall be provided to SUM at no additional costs. 4. Videoboard & Public Announcements. a. No commercial messages, other than those approved in writing by SUM or in the event of an emergency, may be read over the public-address system before, during, or after the Match. 18 b. The Organizing Committee will provide the Clubs with a public announcement and video board script (such scripts may not be amended by the Clubs.) F. Club Intellectual Property. 1. SUM will have the sole right to use and authorize others to use any photographic, audiovisual or visual material captured during the Event of the Club, its players and officials, any data captured from the Match, any biographical information, all Club names, logos, emblems, and jerseys (including the jersey front and sleeve sponsors and the jersey manufacturer) free of charge and worldwide in perpetuity for (i) commercial, promotional and/or editorial purposes and/or (ii) as otherwise reasonably determined by SUM. 2. SUM has the right to use the official Club marks on a royalty-free basis and without restriction for promotional use and exploiting Event Commercial Rights including the following: a. To promote the Match; b. In connection with the broadcast and promotion by institutional and media rights holders (including television, radio, internet, and other media outlets); c. For collective use by official Event commercial partners; d. For use individually by SUM paired with the opponent’s logo for match day-specific ticket sales and tune-in promotions; and e. On all official Event licensed merchandise. 3. If a Club wins the Match, SUM may require the winning Club to use the official championship shirt to be provided by SUM during the awards ceremony. For this activation, SUM may use the official Club’s marks individually to create a customized championship merchandise worn by the winning team during the Event awards ceremony. In addition, SUM may offer customized championship merchandise for sale. G. Partner Activations. 1. Each Club must support and ensure that its players, officials, and other employees also support the commercial program established by SUM for the fulfillment of commercial rights, including, game presentation, the awards ceremony inclusive of individual sponsor awards and wearing the champions shirts during the awards ceremony. Additionally, Clubs may be asked to provide support by having team players sign Event items, such as match balls or jerseys (to be provided by SUM) throughout the Event for commercial use by SUM. 2. The Clubs will be required to have SUM exclusive areas available two (2) days before Match day for branding purposes and the field of play available MD-1. H. Promotional Support. 1. Each Club will ensure that it provides support for all Event promotions in their respective marketplace and across their social/digital channels as requested by SUM, including the following key initiatives: a. Education for fans on what the Event is, including the structure of the Event. b. Promotion of the Event, including social media support, Club promotions, and sharing tune-in information. 2. Marketing requirements will be communicated in writing to each Club. I. Ticketing. 1. Certain tickets will be held or allocated for Event commercial partners, Referees or other internal SUM use. 2. Tickets will be held for MLS players in accordance with the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement. 19 3. LIGA MX Club will receive the below ticket allocation for the Match. Tickets will be transferred to the Club’s coordinator digitally through the primary ticketing provider for the venue where the Match is being played. a. Two (2) suites with 14 people capacity each (for use by club owners, general managers, VIPs, or players not participating it the match). b. One hundred and fifty hundred (150) “Category A” tickets (lower bowl midfield/premium sideline). c. Two (2) parking passes. 7. Languages. In the case of any discrepancy in the interpretation of the English or Spanish texts of these Regulations, the English text shall be authoritative.
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