In addition to answers to common questions below, participants (players, managers, and coaches) should review Event Details.

c Expand All C Collapse All

A. Divisions – Competition Levels – Rules

NASSC has both youth and adult divisions starting at U08 (under 8 years of age) through Over 40, as as well as U.S. Open professional divisions. Age and eligibility criteria for each are found under Event Details.

NASSC offers several levels of competition in both amateur and professional beach soccer. You will find a description of each in Event Details

Yes, youth players may play in older age groups (see rules). However, when registering your child for an older team, for your child’s safety, please keep in mind the child’s skill and size in relationship to the players in the age group in which he/she wishes to play.

Based on demand, we do not have youth (U08-U18/19) coed divisions with the exception of our High School Coed division. However, coed youth teams wishing to participate may register in a boys division and roster girls on the team without being subject to a minimum number of females. Girls may play on boys teams; boys may NOT play on girls teams.

Coed High School and Coed Adult teams must have minimum of three females (four recommended) on the roster and two on the field at all time during play of the game. See Rules for more details.

We do not have coed teams in age groups U08 to U18/U19 other than the Coed High School. Teams in these age groups carrying both boys and girls should register in the boys’ division (no minimum number of females for 0U8-U18/19 Boys division teams).

Any team with coeds but not meeting the “minimum of three females” on the roster and other rules applicable to coed teams should register as either a boys or men’s team. Females are allowed to play on a boys’ or men’s team as long as all other criteria are met.

Boys and men may not play on a girls’ or women’s team.

Prior year’s rules may be posted for reference pending the release of the current year’s rules. Make sure you are reviewing current year’s rules which will be posted just as soon as possible.

B. Team Registration

Team Registration opens the first week of January and closes April 15th or when divisions fill, whichever comes first. Visit http://www.sandsoccer.com/registration/ for registration information.

Did you know you can book rooms for our event a year prior? EventConnect will add hotels and room blocks as the event nears. As a Stay-to-Play event, any participant using a hotel during our event, and as a condition of participation, must book their rooms through our partner, EventConnect. Visit our Travel page for more information.

Managers: make sure your team members are aware of our policy to ensure your team’s participation is not jeopardized.

EventConnect welcomes team blocks as well as individual reservations. Reservations for many hotels can be made as far out a one year in advance.

Please check your junk mail and spam for the confirmation email. The registration confirmation is sent from the domain eventconnect.io. If, after checking the inbox/spam/junk/trash for any email addresses you own you still do not find a confirmation email, contact info@sandsoccer.com. Include the name, age group, and gender of the team you were attempting to register.

We do not recommend the use of mobile devices when completing team or player registrations.

Absolutely not. “Recreational” youth divisions are reserved for teams with NO travel players. Teams entered in a Recreational division with any players carded as travel players during the current seasonal year (e.g. 2022-2023) will be disqualified even if that player plays on a recreational team or is not currently active as a travel player.

Any youth team with ONE OR MORE TRAVEL PLAYERS must enter at the Competitive or Elite competition levels

Be sure to check your registration confirmation receipt or email to ensure you have selected the right skill level.

We take this rule very seriously. Honesty in skill level is expected – please don’t ruin the fun for others by disregarding this rule.

Divisions fill quickly, especially the closer we get to the deadline. We apologize but we are unable to give information over the phone or by email as to whether divisions are full.

Please complete a team registration online. All teams (US Open excepted), are taken on a “First Registered AND paid, First Accepted” basis until a division is filled. If we are unable to accept the team, you will be notified and your team fee will be refunded or returned to you.

Registration deadlines apply. Late registrations will be placed on a waitlist and accepted if space is available.

C. Payments & Deadlines

Yes, unless our website indicates “Registrations Are Closed”. Payment will be required at time of registration. If a division is full, the registration will be put on a waitlist and you will be contacted IF ACCEPTED. Payment will be due immediately upon acceptance.

No information regarding whether or not a division is full will be given over the phone or by email.

Yes, the person registered as the primary team manager can make payments by credit card on behalf of the team via their EventConnect dashboard.

Please send the payment along with a note including the EXACT team name and division of the team. Include this same information on the memo of the check. This information is found on your EventConnect dashboard.

Deadlines apply to team registration, payment of team fees, player registration, and team check-in. See Event Details for additional information.

D. Roster Management for Team Managers

Please visit our Team Manager page for information on preparing your team and the roster. We have prepared materials to assist you all the way.

Thank you for your commitment as a team manager!

Visit the Team Manager page for Event Details, including the team check-in and roster lock dates.

NOTE: ALL participants (players, managers, and coaches) must complete their individual registration materials online before the roster lock date. Players’ registration questions are available on their EventConnect team dashboards May 1st. Team managers will receive a reminder at that time.

Managers’ and coaches’ registration materials are available on their team dashboard as soon as they are added to the team.

You may want to visit our Player Portal at sandsoccer.com, a self-serve network tool to connect teams with players. Be sure to make your post most effective by reading our hints.

.

Roster sizes are firm. We do not make exceptions to the roster size for any age group, nor for roster requirements regarding coed teams.

Teams with more interested players than roster spots may visit our Player Portal.

The original team manager must first add a new team manager through the EventConnect dashboard and then may remove him/herself from the team. All teams must have a team manager.

If any team members’ contact information has changed be sure the team member updates it in their Profile section as this information is used during the event to communicate in case of emergency or other urgent updates.

Yes, of course! See our Team Manager page for unique instructions applicable to adding participants who will fill multiple roles on a single team. Specifically, you are strongly encouraged to view “Adding Team Members” which will save you or your team members from duplicating efforts unnecessarily *

  • Every team member who will be a field player MUST be added to the roster as a Player but is also allowed to fill the role of coach or assistant manager without having to be listed on the roster twice
  • The primary team manager who is also a player must be added to the roster as both a manager AND a player
  • The only time a team member needs to appear on the roster twice is if that team member is both the primary team manager AND a player.

Keep in mind all youth teams, U08-U18/19 and High School Coed teams must have at least one adult over the age of 25 registered as either a coach or manager and who will be present on the player sideline during matches.

All participants (players, managers, and coaches) are allowed to roster on more than one team; however, NASSC is not able to make schedule considerations for players rostered on multiple teams. Coaches may submit a schedule request in writing before the request deadline date but NASSC can not guarantee schedules will be deconflicted.

In consideration of the “Over 25” rule applicable to youth teams, we strongly recommend every youth team has at least two coaches properly rostered with the team.

“Pending Approval” can apply to a single team member, the entire team, or both.

A player or the team may tagged as pending approval at any time NASSC notes a concern.

Players will be in a pending approval status until they complete their online registration materials (available May 1). Allow one full business day after completing materials for player’s status to be updated.

“Approved” status indicates materials have been submitted; however, NASSC may remove or change a players’ status if other concerns are noted e.g. questions regarding player eligibility.

Teams in a pending approval may indicate a number of concerns including:

  • one or more manager or coaches have not completed individual registration materials
  • the team does not appear to have a sufficient number of players
  • the team has players listed who have not completed the registration materials
  • a youth team does not have at least one manager or coach on the roster who is over the age of 25
  • the team has not paid the full balance of team fees due

NASSC takes roster violations seriously. Teams who compete with an ineligible team member, use a player not on the OFFICIAL roster, or have any person on the player sideline who is not on the OFFICIAL roster will take a forfeit, may be considered for a point against their tournament standings, and may be disqualified from the event. No refund will be given.

Roster violations include but are not limited to:

  • Ineligible player(s) with regard to age or gender and the division selected for the team
  • Ineligible player(s) with regard to Competition level selected for the team
  • Coed roster requirements
  • Use of a coach or manager who is not on the OFFICIAL roster held by NASSC **
  • Use of a player who is not on the OFFICIAL roster held by NASSC **
  • Requirement of team to have at least one manager or coach over the age of 25 on the OFFICIAL roster and present on the sideline at all times (youth teams only)

** The roster you build on EventConnect is a list of team members you have invited and is NOT the OFFICIAL roster. NASSC holds the official roster which ONLY those players, managers, and coaches who have completed all of their registration materials from their team dashboard prior to the manager submitting the check-in information or the roster lock date, whichever comes first.

E. Participants' Registrations and Releases

All team members must complete registration materials to formally accept a position, including managers & coaches.

  • Players’ registration materials open May 1st
  • Managers’ and coaches’ registration materials are available as soon as they are added to the team

“Registration materials” refers to the waivers and other agreements related to participation in our event

  • no team managers or other person may complete materials on behalf of another except his/her own minor child
  • participants under the age of 18 require a parent or legal guardian to complete materials
  • individuals participating with multiple teams will need to complete registration with each team.
  • some team members filling multiple roles on the team may need to complete multiple sets of registration materials. See team manager resources.

Individual registration deadlines apply. Contact the team manager for assistance.

NASSC does not place individuals on teams. Team members are added by team manager invitation only. You may want to visit our Player Portal, a self-service network tool to assist players in finding a team to join. Be sure to follow our hints on posting more effectively.

From the team dashboard, you are able to edit most of your own registration materials. If the change involves a name change or date of birth correction, contact gina.koehler@sandsoccer.com. Deadlines for changes may apply.

Log in to your team dashboard at app.eventconnect.io/login.

EventConnect accounts are created by using an email address – each email address is a separate account.*  Always use the same email address in EventConnect when booking hotels, or joining additional teams.

If at any time a participant updates their profile with a new email address, the new email address will update all existing records under their profile. 

* Only one adult and any of their minor children can be managed under a single email address. The following family scenarios require separate accounts:

  • Spouses who are both participating as coaches, managers, and/or players
  • Parents of participants 18 or older at the time of registration.

If you are receiving an error message check to make sure you have completed all required fields. Try the registration from a computer (mobile devices are not recommended). If the problem persists, contact support@eventconnect.io with the following:

SUBJECT LINE: NASSC team member survey

In the body of the email include the following:

  • Team Name:  
  • Division/Age Group:  
  • Division Gender (male, female, coed):
  • Participant’s Name:  
  • Participant Date of Birth:  
  • Your name (if different from participant):
  • Contact phone:  
  • Contact email: 
  • How were you invited to the team (choose one):
    • Team manager cut/paste link and sent me a personal email or text (provide link if possible) 
    • I received an email from EventConnect letting me know the team manager invited me/my child to the team
  • When you tried to complete your participant registration survey, what type of device were you using (computer, mobile device, tried both):
  • What browser were you using when completing the participant registration survey (e.g. Google, IE, Safari, Firefox, etc cercare.)?:
  • Do you already have an EventConnect account from another event or prior year’s NASSC under the same email used in the invitation?
    • If so, were you logged in to EventConnect prior to attempting your registration survey for this team?
    • If you were logged in, did you access the registration survey for this team using the link sent to you or did you find the survey on your team dashboard?
  • Describe in detail any additional information regarding the problem you are running into when completing the participant survey/registration

Contact your team manager with additional registration and event questions. 

F. Hotel Accommodations & Stay-To-Play Policy

As a Stay-to-Play event, any participant using a hotel during our event, as a condition of participation, must book their rooms through our partner, EventConnect.

Room blocks are available as early as the year prior to the event. EventConnect will add hotels and room blocks as the event nears.

Visit our Hotel page for more information.

Managers: make sure your team members are aware of our policy to ensure your team’s participation is not jeopardized.

Yes, and we recommend early bookings to receive the best availability and rates. Many hotels are blocked for our event as early as one year in advance. And, because NASSC is a stay to play event, you will be sure to stay in compliance with the policy by booking early.

Reserving hotels may be done before team registration opens. Using the same email for reservations as you use in EventConnect will help the reservation connect once a team is registered.

EventConnect is happy to accept both team blocks and individual reservations.

Visit our Travel page for more information.

Click here to learn how to assign a room to a team member or add a team member to your reservation.

Contact support@eventconnect.io if the reservation was made through a different team. Be sure to provide details about your reservation and the team with your request.

If you do not see enough rooms available, you can request additional rooms by contacting EventConnect. Your request will hold the number of rooms currently available and put in a request directly to the hotel for the remaining inventory. When the remaining inventory is approved or declined, you will receive a notice from the hotel informing you of this. You can reach out by email at support@eventconnect.io or by phone at 1-888-723-2064.

If you made a hotel reservation and did not use EventConnect to do so, please reach out to EventConnect for assistance booking a room compliant with NASSC’s stay to play policy.

EventConnect will want to know the hotel you are interested, the rate you found, the room type, the name on the reservation and the email associated with the reservation. If your team has been registered with the event, include the team name, division (include gender & age group). The event name is “North American Sand Soccer Championship”.

Contact EventConnect at support@eventconnect.io or phone: 1-888-723-2064.

NASSC is a Stay-To-Play event using EventConnect, a free service to our participants and available for booking both individual rooms as well as teams blocking rooms for multiple players. Use of EventConnect keeps team fees lower from year-to-year and directly benefits the soccer community when NASSC is credited for the room you stay in.

When comparing rates online, ensure that you are looking at a cancellable group rate over the same event dates. Also ensure that all the same amenities are being offered, as breakfast is not always included in the rates online compared to the EventConnect rate, and not all room rates are quad occupancy. If you send a screenshot or direct link of the hotel with the lower price via email to support@eventconnect.io, EventConnect can look into this and reach out to the hotel. Visit our Travel page for more information.

The deposit is paid at the time of reservation and is included in the room rate so you pay the remaining balance at the time of check-in. For example, if the rate is $100/night with a $5 deposit included in that $100 rate, you will pay $5 when you make the reservation to secure your room and the remaining balance of $95 at the hotel. These rates, with the deposit included, are still below comparable online group rates.

When a participant switches to another team, in order to attach a reservation made under a different team, the original reservation may need to be moved to or noted with the new team. Contact EventConnect for assistance at support@eventconnect.io or phone at 1-888-723-2064 Monday – Friday 8:30 am-5 pm EST.

G. Team Check-In

Team check-in is online and begins 14 days prior to the event and is open for one week. Additional details will be e-mailed to the address on the managers’ current EventConnect profile when check-in is opened. Visit the Team Manager page for updates.

YES! ** The roster you see on your team dashboard is UNOFFICIAL **

The roster you build on EventConnect is a list of team members you have invited and is NOT the OFFICIAL roster. NASSC will take from that list ONLY those players, managers, and coaches who have completed all of their registration materials prior to the manager submitting the check-in information or the roster lock date, whichever comes first.

Upon the roster lock date OR submission by the manager of team check-in, whichever comes first:

  • If a manager or a coach fails to complete registration materials he or she will be removed from the team and/or the entire team will be placed in a pending status until the problem is resolved.
  • A player who fails to complete registration materials online will be removed from the list of invited team members and will not be on the OFFICIAL roster

If team check-in is not submitted within the allowed period the entire team will be placed in a pending status until the problem is resolved.

Participants rostered with multiple teams must complete materials with each team.

NASSC takes roster violations seriously. Teams who compete with an ineligible team member, use a player not on the OFFICIAL roster, or have any person on the player sideline who is not on the OFFICIAL roster will take a forfeit, may be considered for a point against their tournament standings, and may be disqualified from the event. No refund will be given.

H. Schedules

Preliminary schedules will be posted online approximately 2 weeks prior to the event. However, FINAL schedules will be posted the Friday night prior to competition. Be sure to scroll down to see full schedules and make sure you are looking at the correct team and division as many team names are similar.

Schedules are always subject to change. Use the schedule link from our website or the NASSC mobile app to check your team’s schedule regularly.

CAUTION: using a search engine to find schedules can often lead you to schedules from prior years and may not reflect correct information for this year’s event.

NASSC matches will play through rain.

If severe conditions present, we will go by the directions given by the Lifeguards.

Teams are asked to leave the beach and take cover but stay in the area. Watch social media, our website and the NASSC mobile app for updates.

Games will resume when it is safe to do so.  Adjusted schedules will be reflected on our website and the mobile app.

Information for the EventConnect mobile app can be found in Event Details, linked at the top of this page.

I. Map and Parking

We generally keep age groups in the same location year-to-year and update our map online just as soon as we have the best idea what the current year will look like. Keep in mind Mother Nature changes the beach throughout the year and we will adapt our layout to the beach as well as the numbers of teams we have attending the event. In the meantime, the Fields Map, found under Tournament, is a good guideline.

During events as big as ours resort area parking is always a challenge. Participants staying at our hotels are generally offered a parking space with each room. Check with your hotel. We recommend carpools and allowing plenty of time to find parking and walk to your fields.

You may wish to visit our City’s site for more info about VB, transportation, and parking in the resort area. Many common transport options are available in the area and may also help you avoid parking and traffic worries.

J. Gear Store

Pre-order merchandise is not offered. However, official NASSC merchandise will be available at multiple locations during the event. T-shirts, bags, hats, bottles, balls and more will be featured – shop early for the best choices. Any of our white headquarters tents along the beach will have information where to find our NASSC official gear vendors.