National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

All customers are asked to review the following prior to arriving on campus:

Our facilities National Sports Center COVID-19 Preparedness Plan click here. The indoor facilities specific plan is at the top of the page.

Please note the following items:

Athletes:

• Masks are required in locker rooms and entrance areas by all athletes, coaches, and spectators. Masks can be removed by athletes when on playing surface.
• Please wait in car until 10 minutes prior to game time – no early admission to competition.
• Athletes are expected to maintain social distancing (more than 6 ft.) when possible (e.g., in-between innings, on sidelines).

Spectators:

• Two spectators per athlete allowed for games. We strongly recommend no siblings, grandparents, or friends.
• Spectators cannot enter building until game time.
• Must maintain 6 ft of social distance from other spectators (that don’t live in same household). 
• Must stay in designated spectator area.
• Must exit immediately following the game.

Tips to remember:

1. If you feel sick, please stay home.
2. All attendees are asked to wear a mask, unless they are actively participating in a game.
3. Signage will be posted on campus to remind people of guidelines.
4. Our facility staff will help keep public spaces clean and sanitized throughout the event.

• Played in the NSC Sports Hall on infill turf
• World Cup groups
• Three-game guarantee (preliminary round games are played on same day)
• 40-minute games (20-minutes halves)
• Top teams advance to playoffs
• Finals played on January 1
• Artificial turf surface (field size approx. 30 x 55 yards)
• Four field players and a goalkeeper
• Sub on the fly
• Team award for champions

​Youth Divisions

• 9/10U Boys
• 9/10U Girls
• 11U-19U Boys
• 11U-19U Girls
• Must abide by 2021 MYSA Season birth-year age grid (see rules)

Adult Divisions

• Men's Over 35
• Men's Open
• Coed

Teams will play their three guaranteed games on days listed. Finals, semifinals and quarterfinals (if necessary) are on January 1.

These dates are subject to change depending on number of teams registered. Teams may be scheduled to play during the day.

2020 Game Days:

• 9/10U Boys: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
• 9/10U Girls: Sunday, December 27, 2020
• 11U Boys: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
• 11U Girls: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
• 12U Boys: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
• 12U Girls: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
• 13U Boys: Monday, December 28, 2020
• 13U Girls: Monday, December 28, 2020
• 14U Boys: Monday, December 28, 2020
• 14U Girls: Monday, December 28, 2020
• 15U Boys: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
• 15U Girls: Sunday, December 27, 2020
• 16U Boys: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
• 16U Girls: Sunday, December 27, 2020
• 17U Boys: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
• 17U Girls: Sunday, December 27, 2020
• 19U Boys: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
• 19U Girls: Sunday, December 27, 2020
• Adult Coed: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 
• Men's Over 35: Monday, December 28, 2020
• Men's Open: Sunday, December 27, 2020

• $190 team fee due with tournament application

Refund Policy

• Teams dropping from the tournament prior to December 9 will receive a voucher in the amount of the team fee. The voucher may be used by any team in any age group within the club. The voucher may be used for the 2020 tournament. Teams dropping from the tournament on or after December 9 will not receive a voucher.

Event Cancellation Policy

• The following policy will be enacted IF an event hosted by the National Sports Center MUST be canceled by the directives of the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Health. Please know that our top priority on making decisions moving forward will be the safety and health of our players, coaches, referees, employees and fans. Teams will receive a refund for your event entry. Team registration refunds will be processed at 100% of the registration total. Refunds will be credited to your account by no later than December 31, 2020. *Please note that if a team elects to drop prior to the event, the above voucher policy will be in effect. This includes teams making their own decision to withdraw prior to the potential cancellation.

Holiday Classic will follow the same rules as the National Sports Center Indoor Soccer Leagues, with the following exceptions:

• Games are 40 minutes in length (20 minute halves) with a 3-minute half time.
• Games are played with 2 teams, each consisting of not more than 5 players on the field. A minimum of 3 players is needed to start a match in all age groups. One player shall be designated as the goalkeeper from each team.
• Rosters are frozen at the start of your first game.

Yellow Cards and Red Cards

• If a player receives a second yellow card (soft red) in a match, they will be ejected from that game and the team will be required to play short-handed for 5 minutes. A player will not be suspended from the next game for a “soft red” unless they have previously been ejected from a game. If this occurs, the player will be ejected from the tournament.
• If a player receives a red card (conduct beyond a yellow card offense in the referee’s opinion) that player will be ejected immediately and the team will be required to play short-handed for 5 minutes. In addition, the player will be suspended for a minimum of one game. If, in the opinion of the tournament director, the conduct warrants an additional suspension, the player may be ejected for more than one game and possibly the tournament. There are no appeals allowed in this decision. A second red card results in an automatic tournament suspension.

Method for Determining Standings

Each team will receive:

• 3 points for a win
• 1 point for a tie
• 0 points for a loss

Tie-breaking System:

1. Most Points
2. Record Head-to-head (does not apply in 3 way tie)
3. Goal Difference (goals for minus goals against)
4. Least goals allowed
5. Earliest application date

Maximum goal difference allowed per game will be 7. For example: Eagles beat the Tigers 13-2 the score will be recorded as 9-2.

The tournament will make every effort to avoid forfeits. A forfeit can only be determined by Tournament Headquarters. Forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score.

Playoffs

In all categories, the top teams will advance to a play-off or championship match. Age divisions that have 4 or 5 teams will advance to a championship match with 1st vs. 2nd place. Age divisions of 6-8 teams will have two groups with each group winner advancing to the championship match. Groups of 10 will have three groups, the winner of each group will advance to a semifinal, along with the second place team in the group of four teams. Groups of 12 will have four groups, the winner of each group will advance to a semifinal. Groups of 12 that have three groups, will have the top two teams advance to a quarterfinal and semifinal, the seeding is random for the playoffs.  If a play-off or championship game is tied at the end of regulation, two 5-minute “golden goal” overtime periods will be played. If neither team scores in overtime, penalty shots will be used to determine the winner. First, a five-player “shoot-out” will be used. If score is still tied there will be a one player “shoot-out” until the winner is determined. Any player that played in the game may participate in the “shoot-out.”

Age Divisions

Youth teams must abide by the 2021 MYSA season birth-year age grid.

Adult players must be 18 years old by the date they play.

Any team found to be using non-rostered or illegal players will forfeit that match. All forfeits are recorded as 3-0.

All 19U, High School and below team’s must also show proof of age for all players to be eligible to play. After age verification at final team check-in coaches should keep one of the following in their possession during the tournament to verify age should a question arise:

• Player passes
• Driver license
• Birth certificate
• Passport

Headers

• Updated March 2016. In the 8U-11U age groups, when a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. Players should not be given a red card by heading the ball off of the goal line, this should be awarded with an indirect free kick as stated above.

• Tournament Specific Map

• Application deadline December 9, 2020 or when divisions fill.  

• Please see the age categories for the tournament.  
• Note that the tournament is using the 2021 MYSA season birth-year age grid.

Coaches, are you short of players due to injury or other commitments? Aren't having any luck finding a player to complete your roster? Then the Holiday Classic Player Pool is for you. It connects coaches with players who want to have the Holiday Classic experience.

Pool Players Seeking a Team

Click HERE to be taken to NSC's new Event HQ to sign up.

We are excited to offer you a new player pool experience at NSC Event HQ!  As a new user you will need to set up a household account in an adult's name. 

• Once you create your account and verify your email address, you can add "participants" to your account (children, spouses, etc.) for which you can then complete waivers, sign up for programs and register for player pool
• You will need to provide your name, birth date, gender, address, email and phone number
• Once you have an account, and have add family members (participants), future events are smooth and easy. You simply click and add, and you’re done!
• You only need to set up a household account once – quickly sign in with your new username and password for future events
• We will ask you to confirm your email to keep your account secure

Only players registered with USSF or FIFA affiliated associations are eligible.

• Add yourself to the event player pool by setting up an account at www.NSCEventHQ.org
• Interested coaches will contact you directly by email.
• Remember: Pool players may only participate on one team.
• If you are picked up by a team:
  • Provide the coach with your player code for release of your information to the team roster.
  • Remove your name from the player pool for this event by logging in to Event HQ, find your event pool and select “Leave Pool”

• Proof of age is required (birth certificate, player pass, passport or driver's license).
• Your tournament coach will not be able to complete Final Team Check-in without your proof of age, causing unnecessary delays. Either get your player pass to the coach prior to Final Team Check-in or check in yourself prior to the coach's arrival at Final Team Check-in.
• Be prepared with the name of your team and the team's tournament ID number for faster service at Final Team Check-in.

Coaches Seeking Guest Players

• Log into Team Manager Account; select player pool.
• Search for players by division, level and/or position.
• Click the player’s first name for contact by email.
• If the individual agrees to participate on your team, the player will provide his/her player code necessary for release of information to your roster.
• Return to online roster management player pool. Click the green check mark before the player’s name; enter the player code, which will add the player’s contact information and liability waiver electronically to your roster.
• You will not be able to complete Final Team Check-in without proof of age, causing unnecessary delays and maybe even a return trip to Final Team Check-in. Either make arrangements with your guest player to secure the proof of age in advance of Final Team Check-in or have your guest player check in prior to your arrival at Final Team Check-in.

Guest Player Rules

• Your team can have an unlimited number of guest players (max roster 18).
• For game format and corresponding roster sizes, review tournament rules.
• Players may play up or down. A player on a 16U team may also guest play on a 15U team and vice versa, if age eligible.
• Girls may play on boys’ teams; boys may not play on girls’ teams.

The National Sports Center has frequent opportunities for competitive vendors to support campus events. Below you will find information regarding how to get started in applying to be a vendor.

Instructions

A completed vendor request form is required for your company to be entered in the National Sports Center’s Vendor Directory. Please provide all data applicable to your company. You may submit this form electronically or print and fax to 763.785.3660.

NOTE: Submitting this form does NOT guarantee that you will be selected as a vendor. The National Sports Center will contact you upon receipt of your completed document.

The National Sports Center thanks you for your interest in doing business with us.

The NSC Fund For Play is the contribution and donation arm of the National Sports Center Foundation. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesota residents by creating programs and initiatives that support a diverse and engaged community. If you would like to make a donation to improve the health, well-being, and outlook of participants through access to sports and healthy, safe environments, please click HERE.

Thank you for considering!