TFCL Sixes League Rules

1. League Authority

TFCL operates as an independent competitive league for Team Fortress 2 Sixes.

• TFCL retains full authority over all Sixes competitions hosted under its banner.
• League administrators may interpret and enforce these rules to preserve competitive integrity.
• Administrative decisions are final unless overturned through TFCL’s formal appeal process.

2. Competitive Conduct

• Cheating, scripting, or use of unauthorized software
• Exploiting bugs or unintended game mechanics
• Match fixing, intentional throwing, or collusion
• Harassment, hate speech, threats, or targeted abuse
• Impersonation, account sharing, or identity misrepresentation
• Abuse of league systems, scheduling, or administrative processes

3. TFCL Ban Policy

• TFCL bans are issued and enforced independently of all other leagues.
• External league bans are not automatically recognized.
• In extreme circumstances, TFCL may share ban information or recognize external bans on a case-by-case basis.

4. Sixes Format

Team size

Six (6) players per team.

Class limits (automatically enforced)

5. Whitelist & server settings

Item whitelist

• TFCL maintains its own Sixes whitelist.
• Only items explicitly allowed on the whitelist may be used.

Server configuration

• Random critical hits: Disabled
• Random damage spread: Disabled
• Weapon drops: Enabled
• Cooperative taunts: Disabled
• Pure server enforcement: Enabled

6. Match formats

5CP

• Two halves per match
• First half: First to 3 captures or 30-minute limit
• Second half: First to 5 total captures or 30-minute limit
• Ties proceed to Golden Cap (no time limit)

KOTH

• Best of four (4) rounds
• Two halves

Stopwatch

• Each team attacks and defends once
• Winner determined by points captured, then fastest completion time

7. Rosters & eligibility

• Maximum roster size: 12 players
• Minimum players required to play a match: 5
• Minimum players required to ready up: 6
• Maximum ringers per match: 2
• Players may only compete on one TFCL Sixes team per season
• Smurfing or account sharing may result in suspension or permanent TFCL bans

8. Playoffs

• Single Elimination format
• Seeding based on regular-season performance
• All playoff matches are elimination matches

9. Disputes & match issues

Pre-match & warmup disputes

• Declare “playing under protest” in match chat before ready-up
• Declare the protest in TFCL match communications
• Reference the specific rule if possible
• Play the match as normal unless unplayable due to severe violations

In-match disputes

• Continue play whenever possible
• Mark the exact moment the issue occurs
• Provide demos, screenshots, logs, or timestamps when available

10. Final provisions

• TFCL is not affiliated with Valve or Steam.
• Participation implies acceptance of all current and future rules.
• Competitive integrity and player safety take precedence over match outcomes.

11. Player identity & eligibility

Account ownership

• Players must compete on accounts they personally own and control.
• TFCL staff may request verification of account ownership at any time.
• Failure to verify account ownership may result in suspension or ban.

Alternate accounts

• Use of alternate accounts must be disclosed to TFCL staff upon request.
• Undisclosed alternate accounts may result in disciplinary action.

12. Roster integrity

Roster lock

• Rosters will lock at a defined point during the season.
• Roster changes after the lock require administrative approval.

Player transfers

• Players may not transfer teams mid-season without TFCL approval.
• Transfers intended to manipulate standings or playoff outcomes are prohibited.

13. Match conduct & gameplay flow

Pauses

• Pauses are permitted only for technical issues, player disconnects, or administrator instruction.
• Abuse of pauses may result in penalties.

Stalling

• Intentional stalling to run out time or avoid engagement is prohibited.
• TFCL administrators may intervene or issue penalties for excessive stalling.

14. Evidence & match documentation

Demo recording

• Demo recording is not required for participation in TFCL matches.
• TFCL staff will only request demos when there is a legitimate reason to do so, such as during an investigation into a player or match.
• Each player is granted one (1) failed demo submission per season without penalty.

Demo requests

• When a demo is requested by TFCL staff, the player will have twelve (12) hours to provide the requested demo.
• It is the player’s responsibility to ensure demos are properly recorded, correctly labeled, and clearly identifiable as their own POV.

Failure to provide a demo

• Failure to provide a requested demo without valid justification will result in a three (3) match suspension (after the one failed submission allowance is used).
• Repeated failure to comply with demo requests may result in further disciplinary action.

Fake or fraudulent demos

• Providing a fake, altered, or fraudulent demo—including a demo that is not the player’s own—will result in a full season ban.

Demo recording exists to protect players, not punish them. Players are strongly encouraged to record demos for all matches to ensure they can defend themselves in the event of a dispute or investigation.

15. Scheduling, no-shows & forfeits

Grace period

• Teams are granted a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled match start time.
• Failure to field the minimum required players after the grace period may result in a forfeit.

Rescheduling abuse

• Repeated reschedule requests without valid justification may be denied.
• TFCL administrators may enforce default match times.

16. Discipline & enforcement

Penalty escalation

Disciplinary actions may include warnings, round loss, match forfeiture, suspension, or permanent ban. Severity, intent, and repeat behavior determine escalation.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Excessive taunting, griefing, stalling, or disruptive behavior is prohibited.
• Administrators may issue penalties even if behavior does not violate a specific rule.

17. Administrative authority

Rule interpretation

• TFCL administrators have final authority in interpreting and enforcing all rules.
• Decisions are made in the interest of competitive integrity and league stability.

Emergency rulings

• TFCL may issue temporary rulings for situations not explicitly covered.
• Emergency rulings may be codified into future rule updates.

18. Appeals process

• Appeals must be submitted within the timeframe specified by TFCL staff.
• Appeals must include supporting evidence.
• Appeal decisions are final.

19. Public conduct & confidentiality

Public behavior

• Players represent TFCL during matches, streams, and official communications.
• Public behavior that damages league reputation may result in penalties.

Confidentiality

• Ongoing investigations are confidential.
• Public discussion of active investigations may result in disciplinary action.

20. Prize pools & financial payouts

Age requirement

• Players must be at least eighteen (18) years old to receive financial payouts from prize pools.

Payout distribution

• TFCL issues prize pool payments only to the designated team leader.
• It is the responsibility of the team leader to distribute prize winnings fairly among team members.
• TFCL is not responsible for internal team payout disputes.

21. Season addenda

• TFCL may issue season-specific addenda covering map pools, whitelist changes, and format adjustments.
• Addenda supersede base rules for the duration of the season.

22. Force majeure

• TFCL is not responsible for match disruption due to platform outages, server failures, or events beyond league control.
• Administrators will determine appropriate remedies.