Phygital Origins Lahore Football is bringing a different kind of competitive football experience to Lahore, combining a digital football stage with a physical football stage in the same match. The competition will be held on 26 and 27 September 2026 at Common Grounds – Sports Arena, Defence Rd, near Pine Avenue, Wocland Villas, Lahore.

The event will feature 16 teams, with each match consisting of both a digital and physical stage. The final match result is determined by combining the goals scored across both stages, creating a format where teams need to perform across digital gameplay as well as physical football.

This guide explains the Phygital Origins Lahore Football rules, tournament format, Digital Stage, Physical Stage, eligibility requirements, equipment, pitch specifications, winner determination, disciplinary rules, and registration process based on the official Technical Rules approved by Phygital Games Private Limited.

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What Is Phygital Football?

Phygital Football combines digital football gameplay with physical football competition as part of the same match.

At Phygital Origins Lahore Football, every match contains two stages:

1. Digital Stage
2. Physical Stage

The two stages are connected through the overall match score. Goals scored during the Digital Stage and Physical Stage are added together to determine the match winner.

This means teams must prepare for two different competitive environments. Players participating in the digital stage need to understand the designated football simulator and its settings, while the physical-stage lineup must be prepared for the requirements of the on-field format.

The official Technical Rules define a match as a contest between two teams consisting of Digital and Physical stages.

Phygital Origins Lahore Football 2026: Event Details

Here are the key details for the Lahore Football competition:

These details are specified in the approved Technical Rules for the competition.

Who Can Participate in Phygital Origins Lahore Football?

The competition has specific eligibility requirements for participating teams and athletes.

There will be 16 participating teams, and each team must have between 5 and 8 athletes, including at least one goalkeeper.

Teams can also have up to three support personnel, who may include coaches, team officials, or administrative and technical personnel.

The rules allow:

• Male athletes
• Female athletes
• Amateur athletes
• Professional athletes
• Participants aged 16 or above

Participants must also recognize and comply with the applicable regulatory documents governing the competition.

Applications are submitted through the WPC+ platform, with the Technical Rules recommending that applications be submitted no later than five days before the competition begins.

Team Preparation Matters

Because the match has two different stages, teams should consider their squad composition carefully.

The Digital Stage uses four athletes, while the Physical Stage uses five athletes on the field. The Technical Rules also state that, for every match, a team must enter at least two goalkeepers from the overall competition entry list. If one goalkeeper is injured, only one goalkeeper may be placed on the roster for that match.

How Does a Phygital Football Match Work?

A Phygital Football match is not simply a digital game followed by a separate football match.

The two stages form one overall match.

The sequence is:

Digital Stage → 5-minute break → Physical Stage → Combined Score

The goals scored during both stages are combined. The team with the higher total number of goals wins the match.

The Technical Rules specifically provide for a five-minute break between the Digital and Physical stages.

This structure makes preparation particularly important because teams must be ready to transition between digital gameplay and physical football within the same match.

Digital Stage Rules at Phygital Origins Lahore

The Digital Stage is played using the football simulator UFL, on Sony PlayStation 5.

According to the Technical Rules, the Digital Stage has four athletes from each team, with two athletes participating in each part of the stage.

The complete Digital Stage lasts 7 minutes and consists of two parts involving different pairs of athletes from the same team.

Digital Stage Format

The Digital Stage includes:

• 4 digital athletes per team
• 2 athletes playing in each part
• 7 minutes total
• Two 3.5-minute parts
• 1-minute break for changing pairs

At the end of 3.5 minutes, the referee instructs teams to pause the game during the next break in play so that the second pair can take over.

If there is no appropriate break after four minutes, the referee can instruct teams to pause the game for the player-pair change.

This means teams need to plan their four-player digital lineup in advance instead of relying on the same two players for the entire Digital Stage.

UFL Settings for the Digital Stage

The Technical Rules specify the following Digital Stage setup:

• Football simulator: UFL, latest available version
• Platform: Sony PlayStation 5
• Game mode: Play Casual
• Game type: Single match
• Format: Local
• Half length: 3.5 minutes
• Break: 1 minute
• Difficulty: Legendary
• Team general rating: No restriction
• Time/score display: On

The rules also state that game settings can be adapted to suit the selected football simulator where applicable.

What Happens If the Digital Stage Is Tied?

The Digital Stage itself does not use extra time or a penalty shootout if it ends in a tie. The Technical Rules state that the Digital Stage match is considered over in that situation.

The overall Phygital Football match is decided later by the combined Digital and Physical Stage score.

Physical Stage Rules

Following the Digital Stage, teams move into the Physical Stage after a five-minute break.

The Physical Stage involves five athletes from each team:

• 4 outfield players
• 1 goalkeeper

Each team can have 3 substitutes for the Physical Stage:

• 2 outfield players
• 1 goalkeeper

Substitutions are conducted according to the applicable futsal procedure.

Physical Stage Match Duration

The Physical Stage consists of:

• Two 5-minute halves
• Clean playing time
• 3-minute interval between halves

“Clean time” means the playing clock stops when play is interrupted and resumes when the game restarts.

The Technical Rules also specify that the team that took the kick-off in the Digital Stage takes the kick-off at the beginning of the Physical Stage.

How Is the Winner Determined?

One of the most important things to understand about Phygital Origins Lahore Football is that the Digital and Physical stages contribute to the same final match result.

The winner is determined by the total number of goals scored across both stages.

For example:

• Digital Stage: Team A 2 – 1 Team B
• Physical Stage: Team A 3 – 2 Team B
• Overall: Team A 5 – 3 Team B

Team A wins the match based on the combined score.

If the goals scored and goals conceded are equal after both stages, the winner is determined through penalty kicks.

The Technical Rules specify:

• 3 penalty kicks for each team
• Penalties taken from the 6-metre mark
• If still tied after three kicks each, penalties continue
• The process continues until one team has scored more goals than the other with the same number of kicks taken.

This makes every goal important because a team’s performance in the Digital Stage carries into the Physical Stage.

Phygital Origins Lahore Tournament Format

The competition features 16 teams.

The group stage uses the GSL without a 5th Match format.

The 16 teams are organized into groups, with the competition structure progressing through the group stage, decider round, and knockout stages.

Group Stage

The 16 teams are divided into four groups:

• Group A
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D

Each group contains four teams.

The GSL without a 5th Match system means that every team plays two matches in the group stage.

First Round

The four teams in each group are divided into pairs by draw.

The two winners move into a match for the top positions, while the two teams that lose play against each other for the lower positions.

Second Round

The winners of the first-round matches meet each other.

• Winner takes 1st place
• Loser takes 2nd place

The teams that lost their first-round matches also play each other.

• Winner takes 3rd place
• Loser takes 4th place

The Technical Rules define this specifically as the GSL without a 5th Match format.

What Happens After the Group Stage?

The group-stage standings determine progression into the next phase.

The teams finishing 1st in each group advance directly to the quarterfinal stage.

Teams finishing 2nd and 3rd in their respective groups enter the decider round.

The Technical Rules establish cross-group decider pairings, followed by the quarterfinals.

The competition then proceeds through:

1. Decider Round
2. Quarterfinals
3. Semifinals
4. 3rd Place Match
5. Final

The winners of the quarterfinal matches advance to the semifinals.

The winners of the semifinals progress to the Final, while the semifinal losers play for third place.

The team that wins the Final becomes the competition winner.

Phygital Origins Lahore Football Pitch Requirements

The Physical Stage is played on a specially defined football pitch.

According to the Technical Rules, the pitch must meet the following dimensions:

Pitch Dimensions

• Length: 38 to 40 metres
• Width: 18 to 20 metres

The pitch is surrounded by perimeter barriers that help keep the ball in play.

The barriers must be at least 1 metre high above the pitch surface and must include gates for entering and exiting the pitch area. The design must also be smooth and safe for people inside the playing area.

Goal Dimensions

The goal specifications include:

• Width: 5 metres
• Height: 2 metres

The pitch must have an even, dense, continuous and uniform artificial surface in green.

The pitch markings must be clear and even, with a width of 10 to 12 centimetres.

Football Specifications

The football used in matches must comply with the requirements specified in the Technical Rules.

The ball must:

• Be spherical
• Have a circumference of 68 to 70 cm
• Weigh 410 to 450 grams at the start of the match
• Have pressure of 0.6 to 1.1 atm at sea level

These specifications are part of the official technical requirements for the Physical Stage.

What Equipment Do Players Need?

Players participating in the Physical Stage must have the required football equipment.

The compulsory uniform includes:

• Jersey with sleeves
• Shorts
• Socks
• Shin guards
• Appropriate footwear for artificial turf

Goalkeepers are permitted to wear tracksuit bottoms.

The rules also specify requirements concerning footwear sole designs for artificial turf.

Uniform Colours

Teams must use distinguishable dark and light equipment colours.

Goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from the other players and match officials.

The Technical Rules specify that the:

• Home team normally wears dark jerseys
• Away team normally wears light jerseys

The teams may change jersey colours if both agree and the discipline referee approves the change.

Player Numbers and Uniform Branding

Player numbers must be visible on the back of the jersey and distinguishable from the main jersey colour.

The Technical Rules state that the registered player number should normally be between 1 and 15, with number 1 reserved for a goalkeeper unless otherwise determined under the applicable regulatory documents.

The player’s registered number must be 25 cm high, excluding the border, and placed centrally on the back of the jersey.

Sponsor and partner logos must also be coordinated with the Organizer in accordance with the applicable regulatory documents.

The rules prohibit political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on the uniform.

Attendance and Match Delays

Teams need to be ready for their scheduled match times.

A team is permitted a maximum delay of 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the Digital Stage.

The same 10-minute maximum delay applies to the Physical Stage.

A team that does not appear at the scheduled time may be awarded a forfeit. The rules also state that a match start or course delayed by more than 10 minutes may result in a forfeit.

For this reason, teams should plan their arrival, warm-up and technical preparation with sufficient time before their scheduled match.

Rules for the Digital Stage

The Digital Stage has its own disciplinary requirements.

Players must follow referee instructions and avoid disrupting the gaming process.

The Technical Rules specifically address behaviour such as:

• Interrupting the gaming process by pressing the PS button
• Skipping the goal auto replay in circumstances covered by the rules
• Undisciplined behaviour
• Actions that disrupt the competition

Depending on the circumstances and repeated offences, disciplinary measures can progress from an oral warning to a yellow card and potentially a red card.

Players can also receive suspensions under the applicable disciplinary provisions.

Rules for the Physical Stage

The Physical Stage also contains specific restrictions.

Players are not permitted to deliberately hold the ball near the boards.

The rules provide an oral caution for a first offence and a yellow card for a subsequent offence by the team, with a free kick awarded to the opposing team from the location of the foul.

Players are also prohibited from intentionally clearing the ball out of bounds. Similar disciplinary consequences apply under the Technical Rules.

When the ball goes out of bounds, play is suspended and the ball is returned to play by the goalkeeper of the opposing team from inside the penalty area, using their hands.

Yellow Cards and Red Cards

Disciplinary rules apply across the competition.

A player receiving two yellow cards during the Digital Stage receives a red card and is suspended from the next match.

A direct red card for a sports offence at the Digital Stage can also result in suspension from the next match.

At the Physical Stage, a player who receives a direct red card for a sports offence is suspended from the next match.

The rules also provide for stronger disciplinary consequences in cases of unsportsmanlike conduct, including certain forms of physical or threatening behaviour.

Yellow cards received during the Digital and Physical stages can also be combined under the competition’s disciplinary rules.

Fair Play and Prohibited Conduct

Participants are expected to follow the competition’s regulatory documents and maintain fair play.

The Technical Rules prohibit conduct including:

• Deliberately losing a match
• Playing for the benefit of another participant
• Rigging matches
• Collusion to share prizes
• Betting on competitions
• Unlawfully influencing match results
• Intentional disruption of matches

The rules state that the list of prohibited actions is not exhaustive and that additional restrictions may be established in the Technical Rules and other regulatory documents.

Teams should therefore make sure that athletes, coaches, officials and support staff understand the competition requirements before participating.

Digital Accounts and Competition Setup

Participants must follow the organizer’s digital-stage procedures.

The competition uses the designated platform and football simulator, with the Technical Rules specifying Sony PlayStation 5 and UFL for the Digital Stage.

Participants are also required to use organizer-provided PSN accounts for the Digital Stage.

Teams should therefore avoid making assumptions about using personal accounts or alternative setups and should follow the technical instructions provided by the Organizer.

Appeals and Match Result Challenges

The Technical Rules provide a formal appeals process.

A team representative or athlete may submit an appeal concerning matters such as:

• Violation of applicable WPC Rules
• Lack of equal conditions during a sporting activity
• Wrongful actions by referees
• Certain cases involving systematic misconduct that was not addressed through disciplinary measures

An appeal must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after the end of the match and must state and support the grounds for the appeal.

The Chief Panel of Judges considers the appeal within one hour of receiving it.

The decision is made by simple majority vote and is communicated to the relevant participants.

The Technical Rules state that the decision of the Chief Panel of Judges is final and binding.

What Do the Top Teams Receive?

The competition has a defined pathway following the final standings.

According to the Technical Rules:

• The 1st-place team receives the right to participate in Phygital Rivals: Pakistan, 2026/2027 Season.
• The 2nd-place team receives the right to participate in Phygital Rivals: Pakistan, 2026/2027 Season.
• The 3rd-place team receives the right to participate in Phygital Rivals: Pakistan, 2026/2027 Season.
• The 4th-place team receives the right to participate in Phygital Rivals: Pakistan, 2026/2027 Season.

The competition winner is the team that wins the Final. The team losing the Final takes second place, while the winner of the Third Place Match takes third place.

How Teams Can Prepare for Phygital Origins Lahore Football

Because Phygital Origins Lahore Football combines two different stages, preparation should cover both digital and physical performance.

1. Build the Right Squad

Teams need between 5 and 8 athletes, including a goalkeeper. Because the competition requires different lineups for the Digital and Physical stages, teams should plan player roles carefully.

2. Prepare Four Digital Players

The Digital Stage requires four athletes, with two playing in each part.

Players should become familiar with the UFL environment and the specified competition settings.

3. Prepare the Physical Lineup

The Physical Stage requires five athletes on the field:

4 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper

Teams should also prepare their substitutes according to the permitted structure.

4. Practice the Transition

The five-minute transition between stages is short.

Teams should have a clear process for moving from digital gameplay to physical football, including player changes, equipment preparation and tactical communication.

5. Understand the Combined Score

A strong Digital Stage result can contribute directly to the final match result.

Likewise, a team behind after the Digital Stage still has the Physical Stage to change the overall score.

6. Know the Technical Rules

Players and team officials should understand the competition rules before arriving at the venue, including delays, disciplinary procedures, appeals and equipment requirements.

Phygital Football Is More Than a Digital Match

The structure of Phygital Football creates a competition where digital gameplay and physical football are connected within a single match.

For teams participating in Phygital Origins Lahore Football, this means preparation needs to go beyond traditional football training or digital football gameplay alone.

The Digital Stage tests performance in the designated football simulator. The Physical Stage then moves the competition onto an artificial football pitch with five players per team.

Because the scores are combined, both stages can directly influence the final result.

Phygital Origins Lahore Football Registration

Teams interested in participating should complete the official registration process through the designated WPC+ platform.

The Technical Rules state that applications are submitted according to the Organizer’s approved form and recommend submission no later than five days before the competition begins.

Register for Phygital Origins Lahore Football

Register for Phygital Origins Lahore Football

Teams should ensure that the information submitted during registration is complete and accurate and that all required documents are provided according to the registration requirements.

Final Takeaway

Phygital Origins Lahore Football introduces a competition format where digital football and physical football contribute to the same match outcome. With 16 teams, a structured GSL group stage, decider matches, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match and a Final, the competition provides a complete pathway from the opening group matches through the championship stage.

For participating teams, understanding the format is just as important as preparing the players. Teams need to know the UFL Digital Stage settings, player rotations, Physical Stage lineup, pitch requirements, equipment rules, disciplinary procedures, match timing and appeals process before arriving at the venue.

With the competition scheduled for 26–27 September 2026 at Common Grounds – Sports Arena in Lahore, teams can begin preparing their squads and completing the registration process through WPC+.

Ready to take part in Phygital Origins Lahore Football? Register your team through the official WPC+ registration link and prepare for the digital and physical stages of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Phygital Origins Lahore Football taking place?

The competition is scheduled for 26 September 2026 to 27 September 2026.

Where will Phygital Origins Lahore Football be held?

The official Technical Rules list the venue as Common Grounds – Sports Arena, Defence Rd, near Pine Avenue, Wocland Villas, Lahore, 42000.

How many teams can participate?

The competition has 16 teams.

How many players can be registered on a team?

Each team must have between 5 and 8 athletes, including at least one goalkeeper.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 16 years old at the time of submitting their application.

Can women participate?

Yes. The Technical Rules allow both men and women to participate. Amateur and professional athletes are also permitted.

What game is used for the Digital Stage?

The Technical Rules specify UFL, latest available version, played on Sony PlayStation 5.

How long is the Digital Stage?

The Digital Stage lasts 7 minutes, consisting of two 3.5-minute parts with different pairs of players.

How long is the Physical Stage?

The Physical Stage consists of two 5-minute halves of clean time, with a 3-minute interval between them.

How is the match winner determined?

The goals from the Digital and Physical stages are combined. If the overall score is tied, penalty kicks determine the winner.

How many players are on the field during the Physical Stage?

Each team has five players, consisting of four outfield players and one goalkeeper.

Is there a break between the Digital and Physical stages?

Yes. There is a five-minute break between the two stages.

What happens if a team arrives late?

A team has a maximum permitted delay of 10 minutes after the scheduled start of the relevant stage. Failure to appear within the applicable requirements may result in a forfeit.

Can teams appeal a match decision?

Yes. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Chief Panel of Judges within 15 minutes after the end of the match.