1. Rule Hierarchy

• Each tournament will have specific rules relating to that competition.

• These tournament-specific rules may override the general rules contained in this document.

• All players are expected to read and understand both:

  • The specific tournament rules, and

  • The Insomnia Gaming Festival Community Guidelines.

2. Behavioural Standards

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. The following behaviour is strictly prohibited:

1. Abusive Behaviour & Offensive Content

   • Verbal, written, or in-game abuse.

   • Inappropriate or offensive comments, jokes, or gestures.

2. Sexual Harassment

   • Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or contact.

   • Any form of exploitation or sexual misconduct.

3. Bullying & Cyberbullying

   • Persistent hostile or intimidating behaviour, online or in person.

4. Harassment & Stalking

   • Ignoring requests to cease contact.

   • Following or monitoring someone in a way that breaks personal boundaries.

5. Doxxing & Privacy Violations

   • Sharing personal information without consent.

   • Releasing private information with the intent to cause harm.

6. False or Manipulated Content

   • Posting doctored, out-of-context, or false/misleading content with the intent to damage a person or organisation.

7. Discrimination

   • Any form of discrimination or prejudice based on:

     • Race or ethnicity

     • Gender identity or expression

     • Age

     • Sexual orientation

     • Disability

     • Religious or political beliefs

8. Incitement

   • Encouraging, instructing, or pressuring others to engage in any of the prohibited behaviours above.

3. Enforcement

• Breaches of these rules may result in:

  • Warnings,

  • Removal from the tournament,

  • Ejection from the event, and/or

  • Reporting to relevant authorities where applicable.

• Decisions made by the tournament organisers are final.

• Legal Age Restrictions

  • Any game with a legal age rating that restricts its supply by law will not be provided by Player1 Events to individuals under the specified age.

  • Proof of age may be required before participation is permitted.

• Player-Owned Games

  • Insomnia Gaming accepts no responsibility for the content of any player-owned games brought into the venue for use in tournaments.

• Parental Consent

  • Certain tournaments require a signed parental consent form for participation.

  • Failure to provide a completed consent form will result in removal from the tournament without prior notice.

• Cash Prize Tournaments

  • Larger cash prize tournaments have a minimum age requirement of 16 years, regardless of the PEGI rating of the game.

  • Tournament-specific information will confirm any additional eligibility requirements.

• LAN Attendance for Under-18s

  • All players under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form to attend the LAN.

1. Tournament Officials

   • Each tournament will be overseen by a Tournament Manager, who may be supported by one or more Assistants.

   • Collectively, these individuals are referred to as “Tournament Officials”.

2. Authority of Tournament Managers

   • Tournament Managers have full authority over their respective tournaments.

   • In all tournament-related rulings, the Tournament Manager’s decision is final and binding.

3. Expected Behaviour Towards Officials

   • Players must engage with Tournament Officials in a courteous, respectful, and cooperative manner at all times.

   • Abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour towards any member of the tournament administration team will not be tolerated.

   • Breaching this rule may result in:

     • Ejection from the tournament and/or event without refund

     • Forfeiture of any prize money

• Sign-Up Deadline

  • All team members must be fully signed up to the tournament by the specified deadline in order to guarantee a place.

  • Teams failing to meet the sign-up deadline are not guaranteed entry into the tournament.

• Minimum Player Requirement

  • Each team must have the minimum number of players registered, as stated in the specific rules for that tournament, before being considered an official team.

• Player Commitment

  • Individual players may only represent one team for the duration of the tournament.

  • Switching teams mid-tournament is not permitted.

• Registration Issues

  • If a player experiences problems registering before the deadline, they must contact the Tournament Admin for that tournament via the method specified on the tournament platform.

• Offensive or Inappropriate Names

  • Team or player names considered offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate will be subject to change at the request of the tournament team.

  • Names that fall into an edge-case category may still require a change at the discretion of tournament officials.

• Name Consistency

  • When in the server before a match starts, all players must use the exact name they registered with on the tournament platform.

  • If the game supports team tags, all players on the same team must use matching tags to ensure clarity.

• Misrepresentation

  • Any deliberate attempts to mislead participants or officials by changing names will be treated as an attempt to cheat, and may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the tournament.

• Pre-Tournament Briefing

  • Each team must appoint a designated representative to attend the pre-tournament briefing.

  • This session will cover final rule clarifications and provide participants with a last opportunity to ask questions before the tournament begins.

• Event Schedule & Player Availability

  • Tournaments may run at any time during the event.

  • All players must remain available for the full duration of the event.

  • Leaving before completion of all scheduled matches will be treated as a forfeit of any remaining games.

• Prize Presentation

  • Prize winners are required to attend the official prize presentation ceremony (where applicable) as instructed by tournament officials.

  • Failure to attend may result in partial or full forfeiture of prize winnings.

• Punctuality & Compliance

  • Players must arrive on time for all scheduled matches and follow tournament officials’ instructions at all times.

• Grace Period

  • A 10-minute grace period is allowed from the scheduled match start time for teams to be present in their server/lobby.

  • If all but one player from a team is present at the end of the grace period, the match may begin.

• Late Joining

  • Once a match has started, only players who were registered team members before match start may join mid-game.

• Game Settings & Validation

  • Tournament hosts are responsible for ensuring all match settings are correct before the game begins.

  • If incorrect settings are not reported immediately at match start and the map/game is completed, the result may still be considered valid.

• Pauses & Timeouts

  • Rules for pauses, timeouts, and other in-game interruptions are detailed in the specific tournament rulesets for each game.

• Player Disconnection

  • If a player present at match start becomes disconnected for technical reasons, they may rejoin the game if the game allows it.

  • If the game does not permit rejoining, the Tournament Admin will decide whether to:

    • Restart the game (in full or in part),

    • Continue with fewer players, or

    • Award a win to one side.

• Live Play Continuation

  • Players must continue playing as if the match is live until a tournament official confirms a restart.

• Substitutes & Minimum Players

  • If a disconnected player cannot be replaced by a listed substitute, the match will proceed as long as the minimum required players remain on each team.

• Registered Players Only

  • Only players officially registered as part of a team are permitted to participate in matches.

• Use of Unauthorised Players

  • The use of any unauthorised or “mercenary” players is strictly prohibited.

  • Any team found using an unauthorised player will forfeit the match and may face disqualification at the Tournament Manager’s discretion.

• Immediate Submission

  • Teams must declare and confirm match results via the official tournament platform immediately after the match ends.

• Reporting Issues

  • If you are unable to submit results through the platform, you must report scores directly to the Tournament Admins immediately—either in person or via Discord.

• Unreported Results

  • If results remain pending and no update is provided, tournament officials may enter the results on your behalf based on available information.

1. Proximity Check

   • If two competing teams are seated within one row of each other and either has a clear view of the opposing team’s monitors, this must be reported to the Tournament Manager before the match begins.

2. Pre-Match Briefing

   • An Admin will explain the visibility rules to both teams.

   • In most cases, the team with monitor visibility must keep their eyes on their own screens for the entire match.

3. Warnings & Penalties

   • First Offense: A team-wide warning will be issued if any player is seen looking at the opposing team’s monitors.

   • Second Offense: The offending team will forfeit the match.

• Official Broadcast Rights

  • Insomnia Gaming reserves the right to broadcast all tournament matches.

• Recording Consent

  • Participation in a tournament constitutes consent to being recorded and broadcast. Players cannot refuse the recording of these broadcasts.

• Third-Party Broadcasting

  • Any broadcasting, streaming, or recording of tournament matches by individuals or organisations other than Insomnia Gaming is strictly prohibited without express written permission from an authorised Insomnia Gaming employee.

Fair Play Commitment

• All players are expected to play within the spirit of fair competition.

• Tournament officials reserve the right to make rulings outside of the written rules where necessary to maintain fairness in unforeseen circumstances.

2. Definition of Cheating

Cheating is any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in gameplay. This includes, but is not limited to:

2.1 Game Modifications & Hacks

• Altering game code or “hacking” to gain an advantage, including:

  • Wall hacks

  • Map hacks / radar bots

  • Aim bots

  • Speed hacks

  • Automated scripts designed to disrupt opponents (e.g., chat spam)

• Installing external software to achieve similar advantages.

2.2 Exploiting Bugs

• Using in-game bugs not intended as part of normal gameplay (e.g., clipping through walls or objects) to gain an advantage.

• Note: Discovering and reporting a bug is acceptable; deliberately exploiting it is not.

2.3 Unauthorised Information

• Receiving gameplay information from non-participants during a match.

• “Ghosting” — viewing a live stream of a match you are playing in.

• Looking at an opponent’s screen if visible (“screen peeking”).

2.4 Disruption of Play

• Any deliberate action to hinder an opponent’s ability to participate in the match.

3. Penalties for Cheating

3.1 Verified Cheating

• Immediate disqualification from the tournament.

• Forfeiture of all prize money.

• If teammates knew about the cheating and did not inform officials, the entire team will be disqualified under the same conditions.

3.2 Additional Consequences

• Depending on severity, offenders may be:

  • Ejected from the event without refund.

  • Banned from future events at the discretion of event management.

4. Reporting Suspected Cheating

4.1 How to Report

• Alert a Tournament Admin as soon as possible if you suspect cheating.

• Evidence is required — unsubstantiated accusations will be dismissed.

• Acceptable evidence includes:

  • Screenshots

  • Gameplay clips (tools like ShadowPlay are recommended).

4.2 Abuse of the Reporting System

• Repeated false reports without evidence may be treated as time wasting and could lead to penalties from tournament officials.

Acceptable Passion vs. Disruption

• We understand that competitive play can be intense and may result in occasional outbursts.

• However, excessive or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.

2. Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviours may result in warnings or sanctions:

• Excessively loud swearing or abusive language.

• Banging tables or other aggressive physical actions.

• Constant disruptive noise that interferes with other participants’ ability to concentrate.

3. Penalties

• First offence: Verbal warning from tournament officials.

• Repeated offence in the same match: Removal from the match in progress.

• Continued offences in later matches: Removal from the entire tournament.

Zero-Tolerance on Illegal Drugs

• Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited at all Insomnia Gaming events.

• Any individual found in possession of or consuming illegal drugs will be immediately removed from the event site.

2. Prescription Medication

• Certain prescription medications, such as Adderall, require official proof of prescription.

• Players must present an official doctor’s note confirming the prescription before participating in the tournament.

• Failure to provide proof will result in:

  • Disqualification from the tournament.

  • Potential ban from future events, in line with our Cheating & Fair Play Policy.

3. Enforcement

• This policy is enforced without exception to maintain fair play, integrity, and the safety of all participants.

Breaking any tournament or event rules may result in one or more of the following penalties:

1. Verbal Warning – A formal notice from tournament officials.

2. In-Game or Pre-Game Penalties – Restrictions or adjustments applied before or during gameplay.

3. Game Forfeiture – Loss of a single game within a match.

4. Match Forfeiture – Loss of the full match.

5. Disqualification – Removal from the tournament entirely.

6. Event Removal – Ejection from the live event, with a potential ban from future events.

Important Notes

• Penalties do not need to be applied in the order listed above.

• The severity of the penalty will depend on the nature and seriousness of the violation.

• Repeat offences or extreme breaches may result in immediate disqualification or event removal without prior warnings.

Eligibility for Prizes

• Discretion of Organiser – Prize eligibility is determined solely at the discretion of Insomnia Gaming. We reserve the right to refuse, alter, or withdraw prizes from any individual or the entire tournament at any time, without prior notice.

• Minimum Participation Requirement – All tournament prize pools are subject to a minimum of 8 participating teams. Some tournaments may require more teams, which will be specified at the time of sign-up.

• Prize Money Adjustments – Prize money is dependent on participation levels and may differ from amounts displayed in marketing materials or sign-up advertisements.

Prize Payment Process

1. Team Representative – Each winning team must nominate a representative and provide their details to the Game Admin and Tournament Manager immediately after the prize ceremony.

2. Payment Timeframe – Insomnia Gaming aims to process prize money payments within 1 month of the event’s conclusion.

3. Payment Method – Most payments are made by direct bank transfer (BACS). Smaller prizes (under £100) may be paid in cash at the event, with the recipient required to sign a receipt.

4. Bank Fees/Taxes – Any bank fees or taxes will be deducted from the final prize amount.

Unclaimed Prizes

• We will make reasonable attempts to contact the team representative using the details provided at the event.

• If no contact is made within 1 month, the prize will be forfeited.

• Insomnia Gaming is not responsible for prize money after it has been allocated and paid to the nominated representative.

📧 For prize payment queries, email: esports@insomniagamingfestival.com

• Free Event Attendance – In certain competitions, part of the prize may include free attendance at the next Insomnia event.

• Ticket Distribution – The team representative (as outlined in the Prize Payment section) will receive the winner’s ticket code(s) and is solely responsible for distributing these to the players involved, or as determined by the team or organisation.

• Usage Restrictions – Prize tickets are valid only for the specific event to which they are assigned. They cannot be transferred to other players or applied to future events.

• Responsibility Disclaimer – Insomnia Gaming accepts no responsibility for prize tickets once they have been allocated to and received by the team representative.

• Right to Alter or Cancel – Insomnia Gaming reserves the right to alter, reschedule, or cancel tournaments at its discretion.

• No Guarantee of Play – Opening sign-ups for a tournament does not guarantee that it will take place.

• Possible Reasons for Cancellation or Change – Circumstances that may affect a tournament proceeding include, but are not limited to:

  • Insufficient player interest or participation.

  • Server or hardware failures.

  • Network or connectivity issues.

  • Power outages.

  • Master server outages.

  • Publisher licence restrictions or withdrawals.

  • Venue-related problems.

  • Other unforeseen circumstances, including natural events or force majeure.

These clauses apply to matches played on machines supplied by Insomnia Gaming for tournament matches on the main stage or within any dedicated tournament area.

1. Match Area Access

• Definition – The match area is the space surrounding any competition machines (PC or console) used during tournament play.

• Authorised Personnel Only – During matches, only the following may be present in the match area:

  • Participating players.

  • Approved Insomnia Gaming staff and contractors (including, but not limited to, Tournament Administrators and Broadcasters).

• Team Managers – Unless otherwise specified in a specific tournament’s rules:

  • Team Managers may interact with players between games.

  • Team Managers may not be with players during active gameplay.

2. Wireless Devices

• All wireless devices must be fully powered off and stored out of sight in bags. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Mobile phones.

  • MP3 players / iPods.

  • Tablets.

  • Laptops.

3. Food and Drink

• Drinks are permitted only in closed-lid bottles.

• No food is permitted in the match area or on stage.

• If the tournament has a drinks sponsor, you may be asked to:

  • Remove any non-sponsor drink labels.

  • Place drinks under the desk.

4. Setup Requirements

• Arrival Time – Teams must meet the admin team at the relevant stage at least 1 hour before the scheduled start time.

• Preparedness – Teams should arrive fully prepared with all necessary peripherals, configurations, drivers, and other required items for the duration of the match or grand final.

• Late Arrival – Teams arriving late may lose their right to early setup.

• Schedule Changes – Start times may be adjusted at the discretion of tournament officials. Teams will be notified of changes as soon as possible.

• Technical Familiarity – Teams are encouraged to have the ability to quickly replicate their preferred settings on tournament machines, including graphics drivers and monitor configurations.

1. Provided Equipment

For matches played on any stage area, the event organiser will supply (including, but not limited to):

• PC or Xbox and monitor.

• Table and chair.

Players may not reject provided equipment if it is in fully working order.

2. Audio Equipment

• Personal In-Ear Headphones – Players must bring their own in-ear headphones for use underneath the event’s noise-cancelling headphones.

• Mandatory Use of Noise-Cancelling Headphones – Participants must use the noise-cancelling headphones provided by the event organiser. Refusal to use them is not permitted.

• Sponsorship Requirements – Players with sponsorship obligations relating to their own audio equipment may wear it around their neck for decorative purposes only.

  • Such equipment must remain unplugged and unpowered at all times.

  • If the headset has a microphone, it must be either retracted or positioned away from the “ready” position.

• Fit and Coverage – All headphones provided by the organiser must:

  • Fully cover the player’s ears.

  • Remain in place for the entire duration of the match.

• Obstructions – No hats, scarves, or other clothing items may be worn between the headphones and the ears.

Players are expected to bring all additional equipment necessary for match participation. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Keyboard.

• Mouse and cord holder.

• Mousemat.

• Xbox gamepad.

Short breaks may only be taken with the express permission of the tournament officials. Any player who leaves the main stage area without prior consent may be issued with a warning or face additional disciplinary action.