This rulebook is intentionally concise for ease of access & understanding for coaches and players. Any attempts to circumvent this ruleset, the spirit of the rules, or general competitive integrity, even if not covered directly in the rulebook, is covered in Section 5: Player Conduct.
Introduction
The Florida Esports Championship Series (FECS) is a K-12 esports league operated by FECS. This rulebook serves as the official and comprehensive set of rules, policies, and procedures governing all league play for the 2025–2026 season. It consolidates general competition rules, game-specific rules, and player conduct expectations into a single authoritative document.
1. League Overview
1.1 League Operator
The Florida Esports Championship Series is owned and operated by FECS.
1.2 League Platform
The FECS is hosted on the USAEL Play Platform, hosted by Rally Cry, a parent company of the USAEL.
1.3 League Schedule
The FECS consists of a 7-week Regular Season and a 2-week Playoffs. The full Fall schedule is listed below. Registration is open on a rolling basis throughout the season, but teams must be registered and queued by Sunday at 11:59pm PT to be assigned a match for the following week.
During the season, all matches will occur during specific days and times for each game. The match schedule is as follows:
1.4 League Eligibility
The FECS is open to all students and teams from the greater FECS community.
1.5 Definition of Terms
2. League Format
2.1 Regular Season
This phase consists of seven weekly rounds, where each player or team will compete in a single series for their game. Each week, teams will be matched based on their current score.
2.2 Playoffs
This phase consists of a single-elimination bracket over a two week period. Playoffs qualification will be determined by the team’s cumulative score throughout the Regular Season, and the number of playoff teams will scale with the total number of registered teams per competition, with a minimum of (4) qualifying teams per competition.
3. League Rules
3.1 Registration Process
All competing players and teams must have completed the following steps to be considered eligible for play.
- Create an account on the FECS League Hub
- Join or create a School squad
- Register for at least one Competition (for team-based games, the registered team must meet the minimum player requirements for the competition)
- Join the Queue for their competition prior to the beginning of each league play week. The queue will be open from Friday 12:01am PT to Sunday 11:59pm PT.
3.2 Match Scheduling
Each Monday at 12pm PT, if a player or team has completed all Registration Process steps and has joined the queue for their competition, they will receive a Match Assignment with an opponent, date, and time. Match assignments will be emailed to all members of the team, and can also be viewed on the FECS League Hub.
3.3 Match Rescheduling
If a player or team needs to reschedule a match after a match assignment has been given, they should contact the tournament administrators. Alternatively, players or teams can use the In-Platform Match Chat to facilitate an unofficial reschedule with the opposing team. If match chat is used to facilitate an unofficial reschedule, players or teams should retain evidence of consensual rescheduling.
3.4 Match Day Process
On the day of the match, players or teams are expected to complete the following steps.
3.4.1 Check-In
Both teams must be on time to coordinate creation and joining of the lobby through In-Platform Match Chat. If absent 15 minutes after the default match time, the absent team will automatically forfeit the match.
3.4.2 Lobby Creation
Both teams should use the In-Platform Match Chat to agree on a lobby host. If an agreement cannot be made, then the lobby host will default to the team listed on the left side of the Match page. The lobby host should create the lobby with the game-specific lobby setup requirements listed in the Game Rules section of this rulebook.
3.4.3 Match Play
Once the lobby has been joined by both players or teams, both teams should provide confirmation that the lobby settings are accurate and that they are ready to begin play using the in-platform match chat. Once both teams have provided confirmation, the lobby host should begin the match.
3.4.4 Score Reporting
Upon conclusion of the full game series, the winning team is responsible for Reporting Scores on the USAEL Play Platform, with the process as follows:
- Navigate to your Match page
- Click the Report Scores button
- Click the Win button under the corresponding team for each game.
- Double-check that the correct team is marked as the Match winner
Once the match result is reported, the opposing team should confirm the score. If there is a score dispute, teams should request the assistance of a tournament administrator.
3.5 Substitutions
In team-based games, player substitutions are allowed between games (or maps) as long as the opposing team is notified.
3.6 Tiebreakers
If a game requires a specific tiebreaker rule, it will be listed in the Game Rules section of this document for that specific game.
3.7 Stoppage of Play
If a game has a pause feature, pauses are only allowed in two instances – a disconnect or a voluntary pause within 30 seconds of the game starting.
3.7.1 Player Disconnections
If a player disconnects from a match in a team-based game, any player may pause the match. The player will have 5 minutes to reconnect back to the match, and both teams must verbally confirm their readiness to unpause before the pause can be reverted.
3.7.2 Voluntary Pauses
If a player is experiencing issues within 30 seconds of the game starting, and no significant gameplay advantages have been claimed by either team, the player or team may opt to pause and/or reset the game once per game. Further issues must result in a forfeit or a continuation of gameplay.
3.8 Spectating
Team members not in active play (i.e. a coach or a substitute) may spectate the match as long as both teams agree to the inclusion of spectators prior to the match.
4. Game Rules
4.1 Chess
4.1.1 Chess Format
4.1.2 Chess Game-Specific Rules
4.2 Fortnite
4.2.1 Fortnite Format
4.2.2 Fortnite Game-Specific Rules
4.3 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Solos)
4.3.1 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Format
4.3.2 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game-Specific Rules
4.4 Rocket League
4.4.1 Rocket League Format
4.4.2 Rocket League Game-Specific Rules
4.5 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
4.5.1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Format
4.5.2 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Game-Specific Rules
4.6 Marvel Rivals
4.6.1 Marvel Rivals Format
4.6.2 Marvel Rivals Game-Specific Rules
4.7 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Crews)
4.7.1 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Format
4.7.2 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game-Specific Rules
4.8 Overwatch 2
4.8.1 Overwatch 2 Format
4.8.2 Overwatch 2 Game-Specific Rules
4.9 Valorant
4.9.1 Valorant Format
4.9.2 Valorant Game-Specific Rules
4.10 Madden 26
4.9.1 Madden 26 Format
4.9.2 Madden 26 Game-Specific Rules
5. Player Conduct
5.1 Code of Conduct
Players must compete to the best of their skill and ability at all times, and must follow the Player Code of Conduct below.
- Respect: Treat all players, organizers, and spectators with respect.
- Integrity: Play honestly and adhere to the rules of the game.
- Graciousness: Be humble in victory and courteous in defeat.
- Language: Use appropriate and respectful language at all times.
- Bullying: Zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, or discrimination of any kind.
- Feedback: Provide constructive feedback and avoid negative or toxic comments.
Any form of cheating or foul play by any team member will not be tolerated. All team members are prohibited from influencing or manipulating any match with the intent that any aspect of the match is determined by anything other than the competitive merits of the team.
5.2 Spirit of the Rules
The rules outlined in this rulebook are designed to ensure fair play, integrity, and a positive experience for all participants. It is important to understand that these rules are not merely a checklist to be followed but are intended to embody the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and respect for all participants and the event as a whole.
Participants are expected to adhere not only to the letter of the rules but also to their intended purpose. Any attempts to exploit loopholes, manipulate gameplay, or engage in unsportsmanlike conduct will be considered a violation of the spirit of the rules.
5.3 Organizer Discretion
The interpretation and enforcement of the rules, including decisions regarding any unforeseen circumstances, ambiguities, or situations not explicitly covered, are at the sole discretion of the Competition Organizer. The Organizer reserves the right to make decisions based on the best interests of the competition, the participants, and the spirit of fair play. These decisions are final and binding.
5.4 Player Responsibility
By participating in the event, you acknowledge and agree that the Organizer has the authority to interpret the rules as they see fit and to take any actions necessary to maintain the integrity and spirit of the competition.
5.5 Amendments
The Tournament Organizer, along with any event partners reserve the right to update, revise, or modify rules when deemed appropriate. Any changes to the rule set will be outlined in the “Change Log” Located at the end of this ruleset.
