TOURNAMENT RULES

Madden NFL — Season 1 Rules

These rules are designed to keep MEL tournaments competitive, fair, organized, and enjoyable for everyone.

Format Single elimination

Quarter Length 5 minutes

Difficulty All-Pro

Game Style Competitive

Team Selection Home player selects first. Away player may select a team no more than 2 OVR higher.

Event Length Single-night MEL tournaments are designed to finish within approximately 4 hours.

Mercy Rule If a player is leading by 21 or more points at the start of the fourth quarter, the game is over and the leading player is declared the winner.

PLAYER CONDUCT

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Competitive play is encouraged. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior is not. Players are expected to treat opponents, staff, venue employees, and spectators with respect throughout the event.

Examples of Poor Sportsmanship

Excessive arguing with an opponent or tournament staff
Harassment, threats, or abusive language
Intentionally delaying a match
Repeatedly interrupting or distracting an opponent
Throwing controllers or damaging equipment
Cheating or intentionally exploiting prohibited glitches
Refusing to follow tournament staff instructions

DISCIPLINE

Sportsmanship Penalty System

MEL staff may issue penalties for poor sportsmanship or disruptive behavior. Penalties normally progress as follows:

1st Offense Official warning

2nd Offense 3-point in-game penalty

3rd Offense Forfeit of the match

Serious misconduct may result in an immediate point penalty, match forfeit, removal from the event, or disqualification without prior warnings. Tournament staff have final authority when enforcing conduct rules.

GAME ISSUES

Disconnects & Technical Problems

If a console, controller, display, or game experiences a technical problem, players should stop play and notify MEL staff immediately.

MEL staff will determine whether the game should continue, restart, or resume using the closest practical recreation of the score, possession, quarter, and remaining time.

Intentionally disconnecting, restarting, or interfering with equipment may result in a match forfeit.

FINAL DECISIONS

Tournament Staff Authority

Situations may occur that are not specifically covered by these rules. MEL tournament staff may make reasonable rulings necessary to protect competitive fairness, player safety, equipment, and event operations.

Tournament staff decisions made during an event are final.