Effective for all TFCL Sixes competitions.

Participation in any TFCL Sixes event constitutes full acceptance of these rules and any future amendments.

0. Code of Conduct

Read this first. The conduct standards listed here apply across every TFCL-operated channel, not just inside matches. They cover forums, Discord servers, voice chat during matches, in-game text chat, broadcast chat, profile content, and any community event run under the TFCL banner. The admins, moderators, and staff who enforce these rules give their time for free on behalf of the community; treat them accordingly.

0.1 · Respect admins

Treat TFCL admins and staff with the same respect you would expect from them. This applies in any channel where a TFCL representative is present, including but not limited to: TFCL Discord servers, in-game voice and text, the community forum, broadcasts, and official TFCL events.

• Do not troll admins. Provocative jokes, bait messages, or sustained low-effort engagement aimed at admins is treated the same as trolling any other player.
• Do not be toxic toward admins. Personal attacks, sarcasm aimed at an admins decisions, or sustained hostile tone is treated the same as toxicity toward any other player.
• Do not threaten admins. Threats, doxxing attempts, or coordinated harassment targeted at admins result in an immediate full-season ban with no warning.
• Do not impersonate admins. Claiming to speak for the league, pretending to be staff, or misrepresenting admin authority is a full-season ban.
• If you disagree with a decision, use the formal appeals process (Rule 18). Disagreement is welcome; abuse is not.

0.2 · No toxicity toward admins

Toxicity toward admins is treated as a distinct, more severe category of misconduct than general toxicity because the admins role is structurally vulnerable: they rule on disputes, then keep playing. The following are explicitly prohibited in any channel where the relationship between a player and an admin is observable:

• Personal insults, slurs, or hate speech directed at an admin by name or by role.
• Passive-aggressive remarks, sarcasm, or coded language used to insult an admin while technically following the letter of the rules.
• Sustained negative sentiment toward a specific admin across multiple posts, threads, or matches.
• Public complaints about an admin that are framed as personal attacks rather than procedural concerns. Procedural complaints belong in the appeals process (Rule 18).
• Encouraging other players to dislike, distrust, or avoid a specific admin.

0.3 · Admin authority during play and disputes

During an active match, dispute, or administrative review, the assigned TFCL admin has final say on the call being made in that moment. The formal appeals process exists to overturn that callafter the fact; it does not exist to relitigate in real time. The following are required while an admin is actively governing:

• Follow the admins instructions as given. If you cannot comply for a technical reason, state the reason explicitly in match chat.
• Do not argue the call in voice chat. State your disagreement once, in chat, for the record; then continue playing.
• Do not crowd an admin with private messages, DMs, or @-mentions while a ruling is being made.
• Do not stream-snipe or quote the admin out of context to publicly embarrass them. If you believe a ruling was wrong, file an appeal.
• Once the ruling is finalised, the admins word on the matter is closed until and unless the appeals process reopens it.

1. League Authority

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

1.1 · League authority over competitions

TFCL retains full authority over all Sixes competitions hosted under its banner.

1.2 · Administrator rule interpretation

League administrators may interpret and enforce these rules to preserve competitive integrity.

1.3 · Finality of administrative decisions

Administrative decisions are final unless overturned through TFCL’s formal appeal process.

2. Competitive Conduct

The following behaviours are prohibited in any TFCL-sanctioned match or event:

2.1 · Cheating and unauthorised software

Cheating, scripting, or use of unauthorized software.

2.2 · Exploiting bugs or unintended game mechanics

Exploiting bugs or unintended game mechanics.

2.3 · Match fixing and collusion

Match fixing, intentional throwing, or collusion.

2.4 · Harassment and threats

Harassment, hate speech, threats, or targeted abuse.

2.5 · Impersonation and account sharing

Impersonation, account sharing, or identity misrepresentation.

2.6 · Abuse of league systems

Abuse of league systems, scheduling, or administrative processes.

3. TFCL Ban Policy

3.1 · Independent ban authority

TFCL bans are issued and enforced independently of all other leagues.

3.2 · External bans not auto-recognised

External league bans are not automatically recognized.

3.3 · Cross-league ban sharing

In extreme circumstances, TFCL may share ban information or recognize external bans on a case-by-case basis.

4. Sixes Format

4.1 · Team size

Six (6) players per team.

4.2 · Class limits (automatically enforced)

5. Whitelist & Server Settings

5.1 · Item whitelist

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

5.2 · Server configuration

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

6. Match Formats

6.1 · 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)

6.2 · KOTH

• Best of four (4) rounds
• Two halves

6.3 · Stopwatch

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

7. Rosters & Eligibility

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

8. Playoffs

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

9. Disputes & Match Issues

9.1 · 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

9.2 · 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

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

11. Player Identity & Eligibility

11.1 · 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.

11.2 · 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

12.1 · Roster lock

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

12.2 · 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

13.1 · Pauses

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

13.2 · 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

14.1 · 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.

14.2 · 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.

14.3 · 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.

14.4 · Fake or fraudulent demos

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

15.1 · 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.

15.2 · Rescheduling abuse

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

16. Discipline & Enforcement

16.1 · Penalty escalation

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

16.2 · 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

17.1 · 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.

17.2 · Emergency rulings

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

18. Appeals Process

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

19. Public Conduct & Confidentiality

19.1 · Public behavior

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

19.2 · Confidentiality

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

20. Prize Pools & Financial Payouts

20.1 · Age requirement

20.2 · 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

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

22. Force Majeure

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

23. Prohibited Content

Network-wide. The following prohibitions apply across the entire TFCL network including the League competitive platform (tfcleague.com), TFCL Prime (prime.tfcleague.com), TFCL Play pickup-game lobbies (play.tfcleague.com), the community forum, all TFCL-operated Discord servers, official TFCL broadcasts and stream chats, and any community event run under the TFCL banner. They sit apart from the seasonal rulebook because they are categorically about content, not competition; they apply year-round to every participant regardless of division.

23.1 · Pornography

Posting, displaying, sharing, or linking to pornographic content is prohibited across the entire TFCL network. This includes but is not limited to profile avatars, profile banners, forum signatures, forum posts, Discord messages, in-game sprays, broadcast overlays, team logos, and team media assets. A first offence results in immediate removal from the affected channel; a repeat offence results in a league-wide ban.

23.2 · NSFW content

Posting, displaying, sharing, or linking to sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, or fetish content is prohibited across the entire TFCL network. This includes but is not limited to text, images, GIFs, videos, animations, audio, and links to any of the above. The rule applies to the underlying content, not the channel: NSFW framed as a “joke” or as “ironic” is still NSFW. Removal and league-wide ban penalties are the same as for pornography.

23.3 · Adult-only and age-restricted content

Posting, displaying, sharing, or linking to content restricted to 18+ audiences — including adult-only gaming platforms, gambling sites, alcohol or tobacco promotion, and any platform that is legally restricted by viewer age — is prohibited anywhere on the TFCL network that is visible to minors. Where the channel is verifiably 18+, posting such content is still discouraged; where it is mixed-age, it is banned outright.