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General Rules
The General Rules for the UK’s largest amateur grassroots esports competition, the British Esports Student Champs.
These are General Tournament Rules and are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs. For individual game specific rulesets, please see further down the page.
These are rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs.
1.1.1. To be eligible to enter a team into the British Esports Student Champs, a school must be registered with the Department for Education or Education Scotland. A school must be accredited to deliver RQF Level 2 and/or Level 3 (SCQF Level 5 and/or Level 6) qualifications.
1.1.2. A school must be able to provide a unique reference number (URN) if requested.
1.2.1. To be eligible to enter a team into the British Esports Student Champs, a college must be registered with the Department for Education or Colleges Scotland. A college must be accredited to deliver RQF Level 2 and/or Level 3 (SCQF Level 5 and/or Level 6) qualifications.
1.2.2. A college must be able to provide a unique reference number (URN) if requested.
1.3.1. Players in a team must be students of the same college or school in the UK.
1.3.2. Players must be registered full-time, or part-time students of the college or school that their team is registered under.
1.3.2.1. Part-time students must be studying a minimum of 4 hours a week at their college. If you are uncertain about eligibility due to your academic hours or course type, please contact your college. Staff members from the college are ultimately responsible for this decision.
1.3.2.2. Students studying an online course provided by their school/college would be eligible. All players must follow the remote play guidelines in 1.3.4.
1.3.2.3. Students studying higher education at a college are eligible.
1.3.2.4. Students who are on apprenticeships are eligible only if affiliated with a college. Staff members from the college are ultimately responsible for this decision.
1.3.3. Players must only be participants of a maximum of one game title per season in the Champs year.
1.3.3.1. In exceptional circumstances, players can move into another game title, or another team, in the season if they have given up their place in their original game title.
1.3.3.2. Players (including subs) can only play in one title, for one team, per week. Players cannot move outside of their Division within the title.
1.3.4. Playing from a supervised classroom is still our primary default position, however we are allowing students to participate from home if participating from the classroom is not possible. We still require all students to be organised and supervised by a staff member, even if remotely. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin of the reasoning in advance. Matches must still be organised and played within the 4-6pm window.
1.4.1. Change of Leader
1.4.1.1. A Leader may step down at any point during the season. In order to do this, they must appoint a new Leader using the team page on www.champs.britishesports.org.
1.4.1.2. If the majority of a team wishes to replace current Leader, admins must be contacted.
1.4.2.1. After a team’s roster is locked they may request one emergency substitution to be added to their roster. The request must be submitted either as a support ticket via the website or to admins on Discord.
1.4.2.2. Emergency substitutions must be requested at least one hour before start time of match they wish to play in.
1.4.2.3. An emergency sub must not increase a team over the size limit for that game. However, Leaders may remove a player to reduce their team size before requesting a substitution.
Teams may replace any number of players between weeks of tournament. However teams are expected to select teams with the intent of trying to create competitive and enjoyable games for themselves and their opposition. If we believe teams are being selected for unsporting reasons for example swapping players between two teams to manipulate seeding, penalties will be placed upon participating players and teams. If unsure about this rule please contact tournament admins before making substitutions.
1.5.1. If eliminated in a Division, any player on the eliminated team roster cannot then switch to another team in another division within that title.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs Nationals tournament.
2.1.1 For Nationals, all matches (OW2/LoL/RL/VAL) will take place at 4pm each Wednesday during the academic term. Games will be expected to be played, or have started, at 4pm unless a reschedule is mutually agreed in advance.
2.1.1.1 Reschedules must be done via the reschedule requests system on the website in advance of the original fixture time, unless exceptional circumstances require otherwise. Any concerns should be raised to an admin.
2.1.1.2 Reschedules must be agreed and confirmed by both parties, and played by 6pm the Friday of each week.
2.1.1.3 Teams are expected to make every effort to communicate effectively and promptly with each opposition in order for the games to start on time.
2.1.2 Each week teams must check-in to their fixtures. If a team checks in, this confirms they can play that fixture at the set time. If a team is unable to play at the original time, they should reschedule (according to 2.1.1.1) in advance of the fixture, and check-in closing.
2.1.2.1 Check-in will be open each week on Wednesday 10am – 3pm.
2.1.2.2 If a team does not check-in, the match will be forfeit to the team that did check-in. If both teams did not check-in, then it will be a default loss for both teams.
2.1.3 Teams have 10 minutes from the match start time to attend/join the fixture. If there is no communication and a no show after this 10 minutes is over, the team who were ready in the lobby and waiting are able to claim a default win with screenshot evidence.
2.1.4 To foster and encourage a team environment and build synergy, we advise students playing in the National league to be in a supervised classroom. This is an advisory and not an offence that results in a penalty against your team if your players must be remote. We understand that there may be exceptional circumstances where this is not possible. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin and your opposition of the reasoning in advance.
2.1.4.1 All players, even if playing remotely, should be supervised and managed by a staff member at each institution.
2.1.5 The National Champs year will culminate in a live Grand Final.
2.2.1 Institutions can only enter one team per title.
2.2.1.1 The selection of the roster for this team is down to each individual institution.
2.2.2 Rosters lock from the first date the league begins. There will be no roster changes during each split unless there are exceptional circumstances. Rosters for Nationals will be unlocked only between Winter and Spring, if required, for updates. This update on the tournament website is the responsibility of each team leader or staff member. We recommend each team has 1-2 substitutes and a coach per team.
2.2.2.1. Any coaches do not need to be listed on the roster.
2.2.2.2 Each team can have max 2 subs on the roster at once. A sub can not be used for multiple titles in Nationals.
2.2.2.3 If a team splits up, they forfeit their place in the Nationals tournament.
2.2.3 Individuals can not play in both the Nationals and the Open.
2.3.1 This year, all primary tournament and fixture communication must be handled through the Champs website. The Champs Discord server will only be used as a community Discord.
2.4.1 Format and exact numbers progressing throughout are subject to change depending on sign ups, however the basis of it will stay the same.
2.4.2 Teams will be split into North and South.
2.4.3 Teams must win a certain number of games in the swiss stage in order to progress to the ‘Qualifier Bracket’.
2.4.3.1 In the event teams have the same number of wins in the swiss stage, progression to the ‘Qualifier Bracket’ will be based on the overall leaderboard which accounts for a variety of factors, e.g. point difference.
2.4.3.2 The top 15 teams from the ‘Qualifier Bracket’ will progress to the Elimination playoffs stage. This is subject to change depending on sign ups (according to 2.4.1).
2.4.4 Teams that do not make it into the ‘Qualifier Bracket’ will drop into the ‘Wildcard Bracket’.
2.4.4.1 Only one team will progress from the ‘Wildcard Bracket’ into the Elimination playoffs stage.
2.4.5. There will be an elimination stage per region, which results in a regional winner.
2.4.6 The Regional winners will compete in the LAN Grand Final.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs Open tournament.
3.1.1 For Open, all matches (OW2/LoL/RL/VAL) will take place at 4pm each Wednesday during the academic term. Games will be expected to be played, or have started, at 4pm unless a reschedule is mutually agreed in advance.
3.1.1.1 Reschedules must be done via the reschedule requests system on the website in advance of the original fixture time, unless exceptional circumstances require otherwise. Any concerns should be raised to an admin.
3.1.1.2 Reschedules must be agreed and confirmed by both parties, and played by 6pm the Friday of each week.
3.1.1.3 Teams are expected to make every effort to communicate effectively and promptly with each opposition in order for the games to start on time.
3.1.2 Each week teams must check-in to their fixtures. If a team checks in, this confirms they can play that fixture at the set time. If a team is unable to play at the original time, they should reschedule (according to 3.1.1.1) in advance of the fixture, and check-in closing.
3.1.2.1 Check-in will be open each week on Wednesday 10am – 3pm.
3.1.2.2 If a team does not check-in, the match will be forfeit to the team that did check-in. If both teams did not check-in, then it will be a default loss for both teams.
3.1.3 Teams have 20 minutes from the match start time to attend/join the fixture. If there is no communication and a no show after this 20 minutes is over, the team who were ready in the lobby and waiting are able to claim a default win with screenshot evidence.
3.1.4 Playing from a supervised classroom is still our primary default position, however we are allowing students to participate from home if participating from the classroom is not possible. We still require all students to be organised and supervised by a staff member, even if remotely. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin of the reasoning in advance.
3.1.4.1 All players, even if playing remotely, should be supervised and managed by a staff member at each institution.
3.1.5 The Open Champs year will finish with online finals. The Open Champs is intended to offer competition with less higher stakes – however can still be utilised as scouting students to be promoted to their National team the following year.
3.2.1 Institutions can enter as many teams per title as they please.
3.2.2 Roster changes will be allowed throughout. Keeping the roster correct and updated on the tournament is a responsibility of each team leader or staff member. We recommend having 1-2 substitutes.
3.2.2.1 Any coaches do not need to be listed on the roster.
3.2.2.2 Players must only play for one team per week, although they can change teams throughout the season. Individuals can not switch between titles throughout each split.
3.2.2.3 Each substitute player can be used on multiple team rosters at the same time. Even if they are on multiple rosters at once, rule 3.2.2.2 still applies to subs.
3.2.2.4 Each team can have max 2 subs on the roster at once. This can be updated throughout the season if necessary.
3.2.2.5 If a team splits up, the majority of the team has right to ownership of the team and any seedings/qualification spots it has earnt.
3.2.3 Individuals can not play in both the Nationals and the Open.
3.3.1 This year, all primary tournament and fixture communication must be handled through the Champs website. The Champs Discord server will only be used as a community Discord.
3.4.1 Format and exact numbers progressing throughout are subject to change depending on sign ups, however the basis of it will stay the same.
3.4.2 Teams will be split into North and South.
3.4.3 Teams must win a certain number of games in the swiss stage in order to progress to ‘Division 1’. All other teams will compete in the ‘Division 2’ bracket.
3.4.3.1 In the event teams have the same number of wins in the swiss stage, progression to the ‘Division 1’ bracket will be based on the overall leaderboard which accounts for a variety of factors, e.g. point difference.
3.4.4 Each division will have its own elimination stage. Only the top 8 South and the top 8 North will progress to their respective division elimination bracket.
3.4.5 The grand final for the Open will be online.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs Cups, specifically Street Fighter 6.
4.1.1 All matches take place at 4pm each Thursday during the academic term. Games will be expected to be played, or have started, at 4pm unless a reschedule is mutually agreed in advance.
4.1.1.1 Reschedules must be done via the reschedule requests system on the website in advance of the original fixture time, unless exceptional circumstances require otherwise. Any concerns should be raised to an admin.
4.1.1.2 Reschedules must be agreed and confirmed by both parties, and played by 6pm the Friday of each week.
4.1.1.3 Teams are expected to make every effort to communicate effectively and promptly with each opposition in order for the games to start on time.
4.1.2 Each week teams must check-in to their fixtures. If a team checks in, this confirms they can play that fixture at the set time. If a team is unable to play at the original time, they should reschedule (according to 4.1.1.1) in advance of the fixture, and check-in closing.
4.1.2.1 Check-in will be open each week on Thursday 10am – 3pm.
4.1.2.2 If a team does not check-in, the match will be forfeit to the team that did check-in. If both teams did not check-in, then it will be a default loss for both teams.
4.1.3 Teams have 20 minutes from the match start time to attend/join the fixture. If there is no communication and a no show after this 20 minutes is over, the team who were ready in the lobby and waiting are able to claim a default win with screenshot evidence.
4.1.4 Playing from a supervised classroom is still our primary default position, however we are allowing students to participate from home if participating from the classroom is not possible. We still require all students to be organised and supervised by a staff member, even if remotely. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin of the reasoning in advance.
4.1.4.1 All players, even if playing remotely, should be supervised and managed by a staff member at each institution.
4.1.5 Street Fighter 6 is a seasonal cup that will occur throughout the Winter split. The Cup will finish with online finals.
4.2.1 Institutions can enter as many teams (individuals) as they please.
4.2.2 Due to the title being a 1v1, there will be no roster changes unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please notify a member of Champs staff if you need to change a player on the roster.
4.2.3 Individuals can compete in the cups as well as the Open and National titles, aside from Women in Esports’ Cups. Individuals can not play more than one title per day, even when a reschedule must occur.
4.3.1 This year, all primary tournament and fixture communication must be handled through the Champs website. The Champs Discord server will only be used as a community Discord.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs Cups, specifically Apex Legends.
5.1.1 All matches take place at 4pm each Thursday during the academic term. Games will be expected to be played, or have started, at 4pm unless a reschedule is mutually agreed in advance.
5.1.1.1 Reschedules must be done via the reschedule requests system on the website in advance of the original fixture time, unless exceptional circumstances require otherwise. Any concerns should be raised to an admin.
5.1.1.2 Reschedules must be agreed and confirmed by both parties, and played by 6pm the Friday of each week.
5.1.1.3 Teams are expected to make every effort to communicate effectively and promptly with each opposition in order for the games to start on time.
5.1.2 Each week teams must check-in to their fixtures. If a team checks in, this confirms they can play that fixture at the set time. If a team is unable to play at the original time, they should reschedule (according to 5.1.1.1) in advance of the fixture, and check-in closing.
5.1.2.1 Check-in will be open each week on Thursday 10am – 3pm.
5.1.2.2 If a team does not check-in, the match will be forfeit to the team that did check-in. If both teams did not check-in, then it will be a default loss for both teams.
5.1.3 Teams have 20 minutes from the match start time to attend/join the fixture. If there is no communication and a no show after this 20 minutes is over, the team who were ready in the lobby and waiting are able to claim a default win with screenshot evidence.
5.1.4 Playing from a supervised classroom is still our primary default position, however we are allowing students to participate from home if participating from the classroom is not possible. We still require all students to be organised and supervised by a staff member, even if remotely. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin of the reasoning in advance.
5.1.4.1 All players, even if playing remotely, should be supervised and managed by a staff member at each institution.
5.1.5 Apex Legends is a seasonal cup that will occur throughout the Spring split. The Cup will finish with online finals.
5.2.1 Institutions can enter as many teams as they please.
5.2.2 Roster changes will be allowed throughout. Please notify a member of Champs staff if you need to change players on the roster. Teams must consist of 3 players with an optional 1 substitute.
5.2.3 Individuals can compete in the cups as well as the Open and National titles, aside from Women in Esports’ Cups. Individuals can not play more than one title per day, even if a reschedule must occur.
5.3.1 This year, all primary tournament and fixture communication must be handled through the Champs website. The Champs Discord server will only be used as a community Discord.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in the British Esports Student Champs Women in Esports Cup.
6.1.1 All matches (OW2/VAL) will take place at 4pm each Wednesday during the academic term. Games will be expected to be played, or have started, at 4pm unless a reschedule is mutually agreed in advance.
6.1.1.1 Reschedules must be done via the reschedule requests system on the website in advance of the original fixture time, unless exceptional circumstances require otherwise. Any concerns should be raised to an admin.
6.1.1.2 Reschedules must be agreed and confirmed by both parties, and played by 6pm the Friday of each week.
6.1.1.3 Teams are expected to make every effort to communicate effectively and promptly with each opposition in order for the games to start on time.
6.1.2 Each week teams must check-in to their fixtures. If a team checks in, this confirms they can play that fixture at the set time. If a team is unable to play at the original time, they should reschedule (according to 6.5.1.1) in advance of the fixture, and check-in closing.
6.1.2.1 Check-in will be open each week on Wednesday 10am – 3pm.
6.1.2.2 If a team does not check-in, the match will be forfeit to the team that did check-in. If both teams did not check-in, then it will be a default loss for both teams.
6.1.3 Teams have 20 minutes from the match start time to attend/join the fixture. If there is no communication and a no show after this 20 minutes is over, the team who were ready in the lobby and waiting are able to claim a default win with screenshot evidence.
6.1.4 Playing from a supervised classroom is still our primary default position, however we are allowing students to participate from home if participating from the classroom is not possible. We still require all students to be organised and supervised by a staff member, even if remotely. If any member of your team is playing remotely, you must notify an admin of the reasoning in advance.
6.1.4.1 All players, even if playing remotely, should be supervised and managed by a staff member at each institution.
6.2.1 Institutions can enter as many teams as they please.
6.2.2 Roster changes will be allowed throughout. Please notify a member of Champs staff if you need to change players on the roster. Teams must consist of 5 players with an optional 1 substitute.
6.2.3 Individuals can compete in the cups as well as the Open and National titles, aside from Women in Esports’ Cups. Individuals can not play more than one title per day, even if a reschedule must occur.
6.2.4 A team must meet the requirement of 60% female or marginalised gender participation, meaning that a minimum of three players on the roster must identify as female or a marginalised gender. Teams must always meet this requirement or they will be ineligible.
6.3.1 This year, all primary communication should be handled through the Champs website. The Champs Discord server will only be used as a community Discord.
These rules are applicable to players and teams competing in Overwatch 2 in the British Esports Student Champs.
1.1.1. To be eligible to compete in the British Esports Student Champs, each player must have satisfied all of the following conditions:
1.1.1.1. Be registered in full-time education at an Institution of Secondary or Further Education as defined in sections 1.1 and 1.2 within the General Rules.
1.1.1.2. They must have a EU account on Overwatch 2.
1.1.1.3. A Players account name must not be offensive and if the British Esports considers this to be the case, that player will be required to change their name.
1.1.1.4. A Player must be aged 12+ to compete.
1.1.1.5 Refer to ‘Overall Rules’ for general eligibility also.
1.1.2. Ineligible Students
The following students are ineligible to participate:
1.1.2.1 British Esports Student Champs tournament admins
1.2.1. Each team must have a designated Leader that satisfies the following conditions:
1.2.1.1. A registered staff member at the Institution that the team represents. In exceptional circumstances, a student with written permission from their school or college may be designated leader, subject to British Esports approval.
1.2.1.2. Must act as representative and point of contact for British Esports.
1.2.1.3. Must supervise all online interaction between Players at that Institution. This can include before and after games as well as during.
1.2.1.4. The leader cannot participate, only supervise.
1.2.2. A team must consist of between 5 and no more than 7 players that must be from the same Institution.
1.2.3. A player must be only on one team at once, however players may change teams throughout the season.
1.2.3.1. Players must only play for one team per week, although they can change teams throughout the season.
1.2.3.2. Each substitute player can be used on multiple team rosters at the same time. Even if they are on multiple rosters at once, rule 1.2.3.1. still applies to subs.
1.2.3.3. Each team can have max 2 subs on the roster at once. This can be updated throughout the season if necessary.
1.2.4. If a team splits up, the majority of the team has right to ownership of the team and any seedings/qualification spots it has earnt.
1.2.5. A team may request a name change at any point during a season. To change a team’s name an admin must be contacted with desired change.
1.2.6. A Teams name must not be explicitly offensive and if the British Esports Student Champs considers this to be the case, that team will be required to change their name.
2.1.1. All games must be played on the European server.
2.1.2. Players must use the Battle.net account associated to their British Esports Student Champs profile. If this account information is not up to date it will lead to a loss of map pick in the first incident with increasing penalty for repeat offence.
2.1.3. All players must stay on their chosen role for the duration of the map. Role swaps are only permitted in between maps.
“Home” team is the one displayed on the left of the fixture list. “Away” team is on the right. “Home” team get choice of Control map, then the loser of each of the subsequent maps chooses the next map (in regards map choice after a Map Draw, see 2.2.3.1). Winners choose the starting side (attack or defence).
The British Esports Student Champs is not affiliated with, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, or Riot Games.
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