Consistent Standards. Safe Fields. Better Competition.
The Canadian Academy Soccer League (CASL) establishes minimum field and match-day standards to promote safe, fair, and professionally organized competition.
Participating clubs that host CASL matches are responsible for ensuring their designated facilities are appropriate for the scheduled competition.
1. Home Club Responsibilities
The designated home club is responsible for providing a suitable playing venue for scheduled home matches.
The home club must ensure:
- The correct field is available at the scheduled time.
- The field is reasonably safe and playable.
- Appropriate goals and nets are available.
- Field markings are reasonably visible.
- Teams and match officials can safely access the playing area.
- Known facility restrictions are communicated when necessary.
2. Approved Playing Surfaces
CASL matches may be played on approved:
Natural Grass • Artificial Turf • Indoor Turf • Other CASL-Approved Surfaces
The playing surface must be reasonably suitable and safe for competitive soccer.
CASL may approve different facility types depending on age group, competition format, and season.
3. Field Sizes & Match Formats
CASL competitions may include:
5v5 • 7v7 • 9v9 • 11v11
Fields should be appropriately sized for the applicable format and age division.
CASL may establish specific minimum and recommended dimensions within individual competition regulations.
4. Goals & Equipment
Goals must be appropriate for the competition format and must be safely installed, secured, and maintained.
Unsafe or improperly secured goals must not be used.
Nets should be properly attached and reasonably free from significant damage that could interfere with play.
5. Field Inspection
Teams and match officials should identify obvious safety concerns before a match begins.
Potential hazards may include:
- Significant holes or dangerous surface conditions
- Debris, glass, or dangerous objects
- Unsafe or unsecured goals
- Standing water or severe ice conditions
- Damaged field equipment
- Other conditions presenting an unreasonable safety risk
The match official retains authority regarding whether match conditions permit play to begin or continue.
6. Field Availability
Clubs are responsible for providing accurate information regarding the availability of their home fields.
Once a field has been committed for a scheduled CASL match, clubs should make reasonable efforts to ensure that the facility remains available.
Facility closures or unexpected availability issues must be reported promptly.
7. Match-Day Timing
Teams should arrive with sufficient time to prepare for their scheduled match.
CASL may establish minimum arrival and check-in requirements for particular competitions.
Matches should begin as close as reasonably possible to their scheduled kickoff time.
Facility time restrictions must be respected.
8. Home & Away Team Responsibilities
Unless competition-specific regulations state otherwise:
The home team is responsible for providing the designated playing venue and fulfilling applicable facility responsibilities.
Both teams are responsible for arriving prepared, having appropriate equipment, and fulfilling their respective match obligations.
Where uniform colours conflict, CASL competition rules will determine which team is responsible for changing.
9. Weather & Environmental Conditions
Matches may be delayed, suspended, relocated, postponed, or abandoned when conditions create an unreasonable safety risk.
This may include:
Lightning • Severe Weather • Extreme Heat • Poor Air Quality • Flooding • Unsafe Field Conditions
Player safety takes priority over completing a scheduled match.
10. Field Closures
When a municipality, school board, facility operator, property owner, or other authorized party closes a field, teams must respect that closure.
Clubs should report closures as soon as possible so appropriate action can be taken regarding the affected match.
11. Match Cancellation at the Field
If a scheduled match cannot proceed after teams arrive, the reason should be properly documented.
CASL will determine whether the match is:
- Rescheduled;
- Recorded as a forfeit;
- Considered completed based on competition rules; or
- Otherwise resolved according to CASL regulations.
Teams should not independently determine the official outcome of an abandoned match.
12. Spectator & Technical Areas
Where facilities permit, players, team officials, and spectators should remain in appropriate designated areas.
Spectators must not interfere with team technical areas, match officials, or the field of play.
CASL or the facility operator may establish additional requirements for spectator positioning.
13. Indoor Facilities
Indoor competitions may have facility-specific requirements regarding:
- Field boundaries
- Walls or boards
- Footwear
- Ceiling restrictions
- Substitution areas
- Spectator access
- Match duration
Teams must comply with applicable facility rules in addition to CASL competition regulations.
14. Neutral & Centralized Venues
CASL may schedule certain matches, playoffs, championships, tournaments, or special events at neutral or centralized venues.
For these events, CASL may establish specific venue and match-day procedures.
15. Minimum Standard
A facility does not need to be a professional stadium to host CASL competition.
The fundamental requirements are that it is:
Safe • Appropriate for the Match Format • Properly Equipped • Available as Scheduled
CASL reserves the right to determine whether a facility is appropriate for a particular competition and may require reasonable corrective measures when standards are not met.