​​TOURNAMENT RULES

• All teams, players, and spectators must review and acknowledge these rules and regulations.

• All players must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the tournament.

• Games consist of two 15-minute running clock periods.

• All games begin and end with the sound of the horn. Teams are expected to continue play until the horn sounds regardless of the score, possession, or situation on the ice.

• Players are not permitted to play for more than one team unless expressly approved by the Tournament Director or designated tournament officials prior to participation.

• Teams are limited to a maximum roster of 10 players (9 skaters and 1 goalie).

• Substitute players are not permitted after rosters have been submitted and approved.

• Tournament rosters must be submitted by the roster deadline communicated by tournament officials. Players not listed on an approved roster are not eligible to participate.

• Sandbagging is not permitted.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to move a team to a different division if the team's level is deemed inappropriate for the division in which they registered.

• Division formats may vary based on the number of registered teams. Tournament officials reserve the right to adjust division formats, playoff structures, and game guarantees when necessary to accommodate division size, scheduling requirements, and competitive balance.

• Slap shots are not permitted.

• Saucer passes below the waist are permitted.

• Body checking is not permitted.

• There are no offsides or icing calls.

• Teams must be dressed and ready to play at their scheduled game time. A team not ready to play within five (5) minutes of the scheduled start time may forfeit the game.

• Team captains are the only players authorized to discuss disputes with tournament officials.

• On-Ice Representatives/Referees have final authority over all gameplay decisions, including goals, penalties, misconducts, possession rulings, faceoffs, and other on-ice matters. Tournament officials will rely on the judgment of the On-Ice Representatives/Referees, and their decisions will be considered final.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to make final determinations regarding player eligibility, roster disputes, standings, playoff qualification, scheduling, and rule interpretation. All tournament decisions are final.

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ROSTER ELIGIBILITY & PROTESTS​

• Any roster eligibility concerns must be reported to tournament officials before the conclusion of the game in question.

• Once the final horn sounds and the game result is recorded, the outcome of the game is considered final and may not be overturned due to roster eligibility protests submitted after the game has concluded.

• Tournament officials reserve the right, but are not obligated, to review or investigate alleged roster violations.

• Tournament officials retain sole discretion regarding the review, investigation, and resolution of any roster eligibility matter.

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PLAYOFFS & STANDINGS

• Tournament Points: Win = 3, Tie = 1, Loss = 0.

• Tournament points may be deducted for penalties and misconducts.

• Tournament points awarded in a game cannot fall below zero.

• Ties in the standings will be broken by:

Goal Differential

Goals Against

Head-to-Head Results (When Applicable)

• Playoff and championship games ending in a tie will be decided by a 3-player shootout. If still tied, the shootout will continue in sudden death format until a winner is determined.

• During shootouts, shooters must begin behind their own goal line and may proceed toward the opposing net upon the sound of the whistle. Players may maintain forward momentum only and may not stop or reverse direction during a shootout attempt. The On-Ice Representative/Referee will determine the validity of all shootout attempts and outcomes.

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TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS

• Full hockey equipment is required to participate.

• Any player found without all required equipment will not be allowed to participate.

• Players must dress in designated areas or assigned locker rooms.

• EMTs will not be on site during tournament play. Tournament officials will contact emergency personnel if the situation warrants it.

• Lost and Found is located at the registration booth.

• All players, participants, and spectators are responsible for their own equipment, personal belongings, and valuables. The Classy Foundation, Classy SD Hockey Tournament, and San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA) are not responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced, damaged, or destroyed property of any kind.

• Players are solely responsible for the condition, maintenance, and replacement of their equipment. The Tournament, San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA), tournament officials, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and affiliated parties are not responsible for equipment damage, equipment failure, broken sticks, damaged protective gear, lost equipment, or other equipment-related losses occurring before, during, or after tournament activities.

• There will be an Off-Ice Scorekeeper tournament representative assigned to each game to monitor play and assist with tournament operations.

• There will also be On-Ice Representatives/Referees assigned to each game to assist with scorekeeping, puck retrieval, monitoring play, and enforcing tournament rules.

• Off-Ice and On-Ice representatives will track scoring and infractions committed during tournament play.

• If a puck goes out of bounds, the last team to touch it loses possession. On-Ice representatives will provide a new puck and retrieve the out-of-bounds puck. During a reset, the defending team must retreat to their defensive zone. At the discretion of the On-Ice Representative/Referee, play may also be resumed with a faceoff.

• Following each goal, play will resume with a faceoff at a designated faceoff location determined by the On-Ice Representative/Referee.

• Should there be any conflict between Off-Ice representatives and On-Ice representatives/referees, final rulings will rest with the On-Ice representatives/referees.

• In divisions consisting of three teams, an additional crossover game may be scheduled to ensure each team receives three guaranteed games. Due to the mathematical limitations of a three-team format, the result of certain additional games may count toward the standings of one team only. These games remain competitive and should be played in full, as the outcome may directly affect championship qualification for the opposing team. The tournament director's published schedule and standings will indicate which games are affected.

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PLAYER CONDUCT

• Be mindful of committing penalties, infractions, misconduct, or engaging in dangerous play. We are all here to have fun and play hockey.

• If tournament officials observe excessive penalties, misconduct, dangerous play, or unsportsmanlike behavior, players and teams may receive warnings, suspensions, or tournament removal at the discretion of tournament officials.

• Any penalty committed will result in the deduction of one (1) tournament point.

• Fighting is not permitted.

• Any fight or altercation may result in player ejection, team ejection, suspension, or other disciplinary action at the discretion of tournament officials.

• Any Major Penalty, including any action that could potentially injure another player, will result in the player being immediately ejected from the tournament. The team receiving the major penalty will lose one (1) tournament point. Tournament officials reserve the right to impose additional disciplinary action.

• Any Misconduct Penalty will result in the player being ejected from the current game and suspended for the following game. Tournament officials reserve the right to impose additional disciplinary action when warranted.

• Any abusive or aggressive behavior toward tournament representatives, officials, scorekeepers, volunteers, vendors, arena staff, or event personnel will be considered a major offense. This includes yelling, arguing, physical contact, threats, or abusive language.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to remove any player, spectator, participant, or team from the tournament for conduct deemed detrimental to the event, participants, staff, venue, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, or tournament operations.

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ALCOHOL & BEER GARDEN

• No drinking while participating in tournament games.

• Participants must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

• Alcohol and food must be consumed in designated areas, including the Classy Festival Area and Beer Garden.

• No outside alcohol or food is permitted in the arena or designated festival areas.

• Any individual found to be excessively intoxicated may be removed from the facility. Players found excessively intoxicated may be suspended from tournament activities.

PROMO TEAM, SPONSORS, VENDORS & EVENT STAFF

• All players, participants, and spectators are expected to treat the Classy Beauts, vendors, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and event personnel with respect.

• Any individual found disrespecting, harassing, or behaving inappropriately toward event staff, vendors, or the Classy Beauts may be removed from the premises and may face game or tournament suspension.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to pursue additional disciplinary action when warranted.

• The Classy Beauts are present to help create a welcoming and enjoyable tournament experience. Harassment, unwanted behavior, inappropriate conduct, or disrespectful behavior toward the Classy Beauts will not be tolerated.

• Vendors are present to enhance the tournament experience for participants and spectators. Harassment, unwanted behavior, inappropriate conduct, or disrespectful behavior toward vendors will not be tolerated.

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SPECTATOR CONDUCT

• Spectators are welcome to watch games from designated viewing areas.

• Spectators are not permitted in player dressing areas or locker rooms.

• Spectators are permitted in the Classy Festival Area with the purchase of the appropriate event pass.

• Spectators are responsible for their own belongings and personal conduct.

• Any spectator found excessively intoxicated, fighting, harassing others, or violating arena policies may be removed from the facility and prohibited from returning for the remainder of the tournament.

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REGISTRATION & CANCELLATIONS

• Teams may cancel registration up to two (2) months before the tournament.

• Any team canceling after June 1, 2026, will forfeit registration fees.

• Free Agents placed on teams by tournament organizers will forfeit registration fees should they choose not to attend the event.

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WAIVER OF LIABILITY

• All individuals participating in bar, brewery, social, festival, or tournament-related activities are completely responsible for their own actions and safety.

• The Tournament will not be liable for incidents occurring outside the arena, including but not limited to excessive alcohol consumption, arrests, injuries, altercations, property damage, death, or participation in illegal activities.

• Participants acknowledge and agree that they waive the right to pursue legal action against The Classy Foundation, the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, its organizers, rink representatives, tournament personnel, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, contractors, affiliates, and associated parties for incidents arising from participation in activities outside of official tournament operations.

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ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE

• Participants acknowledge that alcohol consumption is permitted only in designated areas and in accordance with all applicable laws, arena policies, and tournament rules.

• Participants understand that violations of alcohol policies may result in removal from the event, suspension from tournament activities, or additional disciplinary action.

• Participants assume full responsibility for any fines, citations, penalties, damages, legal fees, arrests, injuries, or other consequences resulting from violations of alcohol policies, tournament rules, arena policies, or applicable laws.

• Participants acknowledge that they waive the right to pursue legal action against The Classy Foundation, the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA), tournament officials, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, arena personnel, and affiliated parties for incidents arising from violations of alcohol policies or participation in alcohol-related activities.

• Participants further acknowledge that should The Classy Foundation, the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA), tournament officials, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, arena personnel, or affiliated parties incur fines, penalties, damages, legal expenses, or other costs as a result of the participant's actions, the participant may be held financially responsible for such costs to the fullest extent permitted by law.

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ASSUMPTION OF RISK

• Participation in hockey, tournament activities, social events, festival activities, travel, and related functions involves inherent risks, including but not limited to bodily injury, illness, permanent disability, property loss, or death.

• Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in tournament activities and acknowledge that such participation is entirely voluntary.

• Participants acknowledge that The Classy Foundation, the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA), tournament organizers, founders, staff, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, affiliates, and representatives shall not be held responsible for injuries, illnesses, losses, damages, or claims arising from participation in the event.

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PUBLIC HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

• Participants acknowledge that exposure to communicable illnesses, including COVID-19 and its variants, may occur during tournament participation.

• Participants voluntarily assume all risks related to such exposure and agree The Classy Foundation, the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, San Diego Ice Arena (SDIA), and their affiliates, staff, volunteers, founders, representatives, and associated parties shall not be held liable for any resulting illness, injury, or damages.

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TRAVEL, WEATHER & EVENT CANCELLATION

• The Classy Foundation and the Classy SD Hockey Tournament are not responsible or liable for delays, cancellations, schedule changes, results, or interruptions caused by events outside of its direct control.

• Such events may include, but are not limited to, acts of God, severe weather, fire, flood, earthquakes, pandemics, epidemics, public health emergencies, terrorism, war, labor disputes, governmental actions, facility issues, utility failures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

• The Tournament will make every reasonable effort to proceed as planned; however, specific schedules, dates, times, formats, opponents, or outcomes are not guaranteed.

• The Tournament is not responsible for personal travel costs, lodging expenses, transportation expenses, reimbursements, or other costs incurred by participants, teams, spectators, or guests.

• All participants assume the risks associated with travel to and from the event and attendance at tournament-related activities.

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RELEASE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

• By participating in the Classy SD Hockey Tournament, all players, participants, spectators, and guests acknowledge that they have reviewed, understood, and agreed to abide by these rules, regulations, waivers, policies, and tournament decisions.

• Participants acknowledge that tournament officials retain final authority regarding tournament operations, rules enforcement, scheduling, discipline, eligibility, and event administration.

• Participants agree to comply with all directives issued by tournament officials, arena personnel, and event staff.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to amend, interpret, modify, or enforce tournament rules, policies, formats, schedules, and procedures as necessary to ensure fair play, participant safety, and successful tournament operations.

Remember, we are here to have an experience, have fun, and grow as a hockey family.