How to organise a 5-a-side tournament

A one-day 5-a-side tournament is a great day out and a good way to raise money, and most of the work is done before anyone kicks a ball. This is the order to do it in.

By Squadcard. Last updated 22 October 2026.

In short

Decide the size first: 8 teams in two groups of four, top two into semi-finals, is the easiest one-day format.
Work the schedule back from the pitches you can book: games, length, changeovers, then the number of hours.
Write the rules down and send them with the schedule, including how ties are settled.
Collect entry and the team names before the day, and give each team a captain to deal with.
On the day: one person on the schedule and scores, referees for every game, and a plan for injuries.

1. Pick the size and the format

The number of teams decides everything else. Eight is the sweet spot for a first tournament; twelve or sixteen works once you've done one.

Groups then a knockout: everyone gets at least three games, which matters when teams have paid to enter. Eight teams in two groups of four, top two into semi-finals, is 12 group games and 3 knockout games.
Knockout only: quick and simple, but half the teams play once and go home. Fine for a short evening; not for a charity day.
Everyone plays everyone: fair, but it gets long fast. Six teams is 15 games; eight is 28.

2. Work out the schedule

Start from the pitches. With two pitches, 10-minute games and 2 minutes to change over, you play 10 games an hour. Count the games your format needs, add the knockout, and you have the time to book, plus half an hour at the start for registration and at the end for the final and presentation.

Let the tournament generator do the draw and the bracket: it shows every group game, keeps the tables as you enter scores, and puts the qualifiers into the knockout. If you'd rather draw the cup ties live, use the cup draw generator.

3. Agree the rules before the day

Send these with the schedule so there's nothing to argue about on the day:

Squad size: usually five on the pitch and up to three subs, rolling.
The 5-a-side basics: the keeper's area, head height, slide tackles and kick-ins. Our 5-a-side rules guide has the common ones.
Points: three for a win, one for a draw. Ties in a group: goal difference, then goals scored, then the game between them, then penalties.
Knockout draws: straight to penalties, three each then sudden death, to keep the day on time.
Late teams: how many minutes before the game is awarded to the other side.

4. Entry, teams and money

Ask each team for a name, a captain's contact and the entry fee before the day, and set a deadline. Teams without a name can borrow one from the team name generator, and the tournament itself one from football tournament names. For a charity tournament, decide in advance whether entry fees go to the charity or cover the pitches, say so when people sign up, and use the charity's own fundraising page for donations so the money doesn't pass through you.

5. On the day

One person runs the schedule and the scores and does nothing else.
A referee for every game: ask each team to bring one, or pay a couple of local referees.
Bibs in two colours, spare balls, a pump, water, a first aid kit and someone who knows how to use it.
A printed schedule and a team sheet for each team; post updates in a group chat with every captain in it.
Trophies or medals for the winners, plus a player of the tournament and a fair play award.

After the tournament

If people enjoyed it, some of them will want to play every week. Squadcard runs a weekly game: who's in from a link in the group chat, fair teams picked from ratings, and the whole squad rates everyone after the game.

Start a squad

Questions

How many teams do you need for a 5-a-side tournament?

Eight is the easiest: two groups of four and semi-finals. Six works as one group where everyone plays everyone; twelve or sixteen needs more pitches or a longer day.

How long is a 5-a-side tournament?

With eight teams, 15 games of 10 minutes on two pitches takes around an hour and a half of football, so allow two and a half to three hours with registration, breaks and the final.

How long should games be at a 5-a-side tournament?

Ten minutes, one way or as two halves of five, is usual for group games, with a couple of minutes to change over. Finals are often longer.

How do you organise a charity football tournament?

The same way as any tournament, plus three things: decide where entry fees go and say so when teams sign up, take donations through the charity's own fundraising page, and tell the charity, who may help with promotion.