General Regulations of the Volleyball Championship 2026

1. The Team Manager shall be deemed the official representative of the team vis-à-vis the Technical Committee and the Organizing Committee in all matters related to the championship.
2. Each team must create a dedicated team account through the championship website (www.nasst.ae) and select a team name. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to request a change of the team name if it is deemed inappropriate.
3. If a team will participate under the name of an establishment, company, or club, a written approval from the concerned entity shall be submitted, confirming both its consent to participation under its name and that the Organizing Committee shall bear no financial or legal obligations.
4. The Organizing Committee shall not bear any expenses related to the participation of teams in the championship.

5. Championship Timeline and Registration Procedures

   • Registration of team names, Team Managers, and submission of the security deposit cheque: from 20/1/2026 to 29/1/2026.
   • Player registration period: from 20/1/2026 until 22/2/2026 (at 00:00).
   • The Championship draw and technical meeting: on 23/2/2026 at 11:00 a.m., via remote video conferencing.
   • Championship period: from 26/2/2026 to 7/3/2026.

6. Rules and Conditions for Team Eligibility

   • The championship shall be held with the participation of eight (8) teams selected in accordance with the procedures approved by the Organizing Committee.
   • The team’s name may not be changed after the draw has been done.
   • If a team withdraws or violates the registration conditions, the Organizing Committee shall have the right to cancel the team’s participation and replace it with a team from the reserve teams list. The withdrawn team shall not be invited to participate in future editions of the championship.

7. Rules and Conditions for Player Eligibility

   • The player must be eighteen (18) years old or above on the commencement date of the championship.
   • Each team shall register a minimum of ten (10) players and a maximum of fourteen (14) players
   • Each team shall upload the player’s acknowledgment using the form approved by the Organizing Committee, confirming that the player has not been previously registered with another team, is medically fit to participate in the championship, bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided, and releases the Organizing Committee from any related liability.
   • No requests for player replacement or completion shall be accepted after the expiry of the player registration period.
   • The Technical Committee shall have the right, in all cases, to amend the approved player list if it is proven that any player does not meet the registration requirements.
   • If it is proven that a player has been registered with more than one participating team simultaneously, the Technical Committee may, after reviewing the relevant facts and documentation, approve the player’s participation with the team for which the validity of the contractual relationship is established, or suspend the player’s participation in the championship definitely if it is proven that the player deliberately registered with more than one team by his own will, or altered registration documents.

8. Rules and Conditions for Organizing the Championship

   The championship shall be held with the participation of eight (8) teams according to the following system:
   First: Group Stage
   • The eight (8) teams shall be divided by draws into two (2) groups, each consisting of four (4) teams.
   • Matches shall be played in a single round-robin system.
   • The winner and runner-up of each group shall advance to the semi-final stage.
   Points Allocation System:
   • Win (3–0) or (3–1): three (3) points for the winner, zero (0) points for the loser.
   • Win (3–2): two (2) points for the winner and one (1) point for the loser.
   • Withdrawal from a match: one (1) point shall be deducted from the team’s total points.
   Team Ranking Criteria:
   • Where two or more teams are tied, ranking shall be determined by the number of matches won based on the total points accumulated from wins and losses.
   • If the tie remains based on total points, ranking shall be determined by the ratio of sets won to sets lost.
   • If the tie persists based on set ratio, ranking shall be determined by the ratio of points scored in sets to points conceded.
   • If the tie still persists based on set points ratio, priority shall be given to the team that won the last match between the tied teams.
   Second: Semi-Final and Final Rounds
   • Semi-final matches shall be played under a knockout system as follows:
     • First of Group A × Second of Group B
     • First of Group B × Second of Group A
   • The two winning teams in the semi-finals shall qualify for the final match to determine the winner and the runner-up of the championship.
   • The two losing teams in the semi-final matches shall play to determine third and fourth places.
9. Participating teams shall deposit an amount of AED 20,000 (twenty thousand dirhams), in cash or by cheque issued in the name of the Team Manager, as a participation guarantee, no later than 29/1/2029. The amount shall be refunded within ten (10) days after the end of the championship. This amount shall be non-refundable in the event of team withdrawal or pursuant to a decision issued by the Organizing Committee to confiscate the guarantee in whole or in part.
10. The coaching and medical staff shall be registered under the following titles: Coach, Assistant Coach, Data Analyst, Therapist, Doctor.
11. The Team Manager shall enter the team, players, technical, administrative, and medical staff data through the championship platform, and upload the following documents:
    • A copy of a valid Emirates ID (front and back) for citizens and residents.
    • A copy of a valid passport for non-residents.
    • A recent personal photograph for each player.
    • An electronic acknowledgement confirming the players’ consent to participate with the team, that they are not registered with another team at the date and time of registration, that they are medically fit, and releasing the Organizing Committee from any responsibility arising from this declaration.
    • The Organizing Committee may request copies of player contracts or any additional supporting documents when necessary.
12. Each participating team shall provide two sets of sports uniforms in two different colors (home and away), numbered from (1) to (99) with clear and non-duplicated numbers, with the championship logo and sponsors printed in accordance with the approved uniform requirements guide. The two kits shall be approved during the technical meeting, and teams shall comply with the approved colors according to the match schedule.
13. The libero player may not be changed during championship matches.
14. All championship matches shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the regulations of the UAE Volleyball Association, except for the amendments stipulated in this regulations, its appendices, or circulars issued by the Technical Committee.
15. Video Challenge System (VCS) technology shall be applied in officiating championship matches in accordance with the rules approved by the International Volleyball Federation.
16. Teams finishing in the top three positions shall receive cash prizes determined by the Organizing Committee.

17. Implementation and Interpretation of the Regulations

    The Organizing Committee shall be the competent authority, directly or through the Technical Committee, for implementing and interpreting the provisions of the organizational and technical regulations of the Volleyball Championship. It shall have the right to amend these regulations and issue the necessary decisions regarding matters stipulated herein or matters for which no provision is made.