TEAM ELIGIBILITY
The Thanksgiving Classic Tournament shall be open to all teams comprised of properly registered youth players (as defined by the rules of the affiliated organization) in all age groups listed in the Tournament Rules provided such team is in good standing with its youth association.
At initial check-in, teams must submit the following documentation depending on the affiliation status of the team (USYSA, USSF, US Club). All of the players on the team must play with the proper affiliation documentation (USYSA, USSF, US Club) and with the same affiliation documentation. There cannot be a mixture of player cards from different affiliations. The only exception is USSF can mix with USYSA or US Club. All player cards must be valid for the tournament dates. Please click here for 2022 Player Registration Certification instructions.
Failure to submit the required documents will result in the team or individual players being disqualified from participation. Teams may register up to twenty-two (22) players in the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-18 age groups. U-12 age group may register a maximum of 15 players. U-13 to U-14 age groups may register a maximum of 18 players.
USYSA Teams:
1. Player Cards: Official laminated player cards with a photograph for the 2021-22 season for each player.
2. Travel Papers: All USYSA teams traveling from outside Region IV may need to provide appropriate travel documents approved by their State Association. Please comply with your state association travel regulations. USYSA Travel Papers consist of an approved Permission to Travel AND an approved roster of all players who will be traveling. Only players listed on the approved Travel Roster will be eligible to participate. Additions or substitutions of players after initial submittal will require an amended Travel Roster which must be approved by your State Association. U.S. Club will need to print their roster off of the U.S. Club website.
3. Loan Player Forms. Teams are responsible for complying with the rules of their State Association regarding borrowing players from other teams. All loaned players must be listed on a Travel Roster approved by your State Association. Laminated players cards with a photograph for the 2021-22 season are required for loaned players along with a medical release. Teams that are borrowing players who are registered with other State Associations will have to obtain Interstate Permission for those players. The Interstate Permission Form (click here) must be signed by both State Associations. Please allow sufficient time for both associations to sign this form. Please comply with your state association travel regulations.
4. Medical release forms: must be signed by the parent or guardian for each team member.
5. Team Roster/Game Card: One hour prior to the first match, each team will present a tournament roster to the site manager with the following information listed: player name, national association registration, player pass ID number, date of birth, and jersey number. Game cards will be printed from the team’s application in the GotSoccer Classic online system. Player name, date of birth, jersey number, and ID number must be up to date in the online system by Monday, February 7, 5 p.m. MST. Rosters will freeze at this time. (Click here for roster creation help.) There will be no write-in players on the field.
United States Teams Registered Other than USYSA:
1. Player Cards: Official and valid laminated player cards with a photograph for each player.
2. Travel Papers: The appropriate travel documentation from the association to which your team is affiliated (e.g. AYSO, Super Y League, and US Club Soccer). For Super Y League or US Club Soccer, it is the approved roster printed from the US Club Soccer player registration system.
3. Medical release forms: must be signed by the parent or guardian for each team member.
4. Team Roster/Game Card: One hour prior to the first match, each team will present a tournament roster to the site manager with the following information listed: player name, national association registration, player pass ID number, date of birth, and jersey number. Game cards will be printed from the team’s application in the GotSoccer online system. Player name, date of birth, jersey number, and ID number must be up to date in the online system by Monday, February 7, 5 p.m. MST. Rosters will freeze at this time. (Click here for roster creation help.) There will be no write-in players on the field.
Teams Registered Outside the United States:
1. Player Cards: Official player cards with a photograph for the current season for each player if provided in your country. If no player cards are provided, you must notify us in advance and we will work with you to ensure you bring the necessary documentation.
2. Travel Papers: Teams from outside the United States must provide permission to travel from your country’s soccer governing body. Passports or other travel documentation provided by your country may also be checked.
3. Medical release forms: must be signed by the parent or guardian for each team member.
4. Team Roster/Game Card: One hour prior to the first match, each team will present a tournament roster to the site manager with the following information listed: player name, national association registration, player pass ID number, date of birth, and jersey number. Game cards will be printed from the team’s application in the GotSoccer online system. Player name, date of birth, jersey number, and ID number must be up to date in the online system by Monday, February 7, 5 p.m. MST. Rosters will freeze at this time. (Click here for roster creation help.) There will be no write-in players on the field.
Player Eligibility
No player will be allowed to participate who has not been certified by the Thanksgiving Classic Tournament Credentials Committee. Please see the Player Registration Certification instructions above.
The player’s playing age is determined by the following guidelines for 2022:
Age | Birth Year | Max Roster | Guest Limit*
U19 2003 22 5
U18 2004 22 5
U17 2005 22 5
U16 2006 22 5
U15 2007 22 5
U14 2008 18 5
U13 2009 18 5
U12 2010 15 3
* Each team will be allowed to have guest players who are properly registered through their National and State Association, Federation, or any other USSF affiliated organization. Guest players must have permission to participate/travel from their National and State Association, Federation, or any other USSF affiliated organization. Prior to each match, a team must elect no more than 18 players eligible for a given match. Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament.