Official League rules

• The Bear Digital Cup Series consists of six competitive divisions — three male and three female.
• Each division will consist of up to 10 teams.
• Teams compete throughout the regular league season.
• The top 4 teams in each division qualify for Finals Weekend.

• Each team consists of 4 registered players.
• Every team must have a designated Team Owner.
• The Team Owner does not need to be a player.

• Each team registers exactly four players for the season.
• These players form the team official squad throughout the regular season and Finals Weekend.
• Teams may not bring in unregistered players for individual fixtures or Finals Weekend unless an exceptional replacement has been approved by Cup Series Admin.

• All official Bear Digital Cup Series fixtures are organised and managed by Cup Series Admin.
• The complete season schedule is prepared in advance and published to all teams ahead of the season.
• Each team selects its preferred home club or venue during registration.
• Cup Series Admin will then create the official round-robin fixture schedule — every team plays each other team in their division once.
• Teams do not need to arrange fixtures directly with their opponents, but each team is responsible for booking and paying for their own court at the scheduled venue ahead of every fixture.
• Registration fees do not include court bookings or kit — these are arranged and paid for by each team directly, on the day.
• Teams are responsible for ensuring they have sufficient registered players available for scheduled fixtures.

• Matches are played over two sets using Golden Point scoring.
• At deuce, the next point decides the game.
• A set runs to 6 games and must be won by two. At 6-6 the set is decided 7-6.
• If the match is tied at one set each, a 10-point match tiebreak decides the winner. First to 10 points, leading by at least two.

League standings display:

P Played   W Won   L Lost   GF Games for   GA Games against   GD Games difference   PTS Points

• Because Cup Series Admin manages the full fixture schedule, fixtures may only be moved in exceptional circumstances.
• Player unavailability alone will not normally be considered sufficient reason to postpone a fixture.
• Each team has a four-player squad plus substitutes to provide flexibility.
• Where weather, venue closure or circumstances outside either team reasonable control prevent a fixture from taking place, Cup Series Admin will arrange a new fixture.

A team that cannot fulfil a scheduled fixture must notify Cup Series Admin as soon as possible.

• For games for and games against purposes, the match is recorded as 6-0, 6-0 — 12 games to the winner, 0 to the team that forfeits.
• Repeated forfeits may result in additional penalties or removal from the competition, at the discretion of Cup Series Admin.

• Up to 10 teams
• Regular league season
• Top 4 qualify
• Semi-finals
• Final
• Division champion

• Semi-finals: 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd.
• The winners of the semi-finals progress to the Division Finals.
• Finishing higher on the league table matters — the No. 1 seed plays the fourth-placed team.

• All six divisions come together for one dedicated Bear Digital Cup Series Finals Weekend.
• All semi-finals and finals across the weekend.
• Music and entertainment, sponsor activations, food and drinks.
• Cup Series branding, spectator areas, trophies and prize presentations.

• Any of a team four officially registered players may represent the team during Finals Weekend.
• There is no minimum regular-season appearance requirement.
• Teams may select and rotate their registered squad as they wish throughout the competition.
• New players may not be added specifically for Finals Weekend.
• Any exceptional replacement must be approved by Cup Series Admin.

The Bear Digital Cup Series is competitive, but fair play and sportsmanship are fundamental to the competition.

• Respect opponents
• Respect venues and facilities
• Respect officials
• Respect sponsors
• Respect admin

The Bear Digital Cup Series pays out a total of R130,000 in prize money across the six division champions.