Common Questions
FAQ
Short answers to what players ask most. These summarize the rules — where an answer and the League Rulebook disagree, the rulebook controls.
Who can play in NARL?
NARL is played in divisions, and each division has its own rank range published before registration — the ranges shift from season to season. Eligibility is based on your peak 3v3 Standard rank in the current or previous competitive season, and admins assign divisions to keep teams competitively matched. See the full rule.
How do I join?
If you have a roster, register a team. If you don't, join the NARL Discord — free agents and teams looking for players find each other there.
How big is a roster?
Three active players are required; teams may also add a substitute, a coach, and reserves. See the full composition rules.
When are matches played?
League nights are Thursdays at 8:00 PM Eastern Time unless otherwise announced. See the scheduling rules.
What's the match format?
Fixed sets, not best-of — every game is played even once a team has clinched. The number of games per series is set per division and published before the season, and it's always odd so a series can't end tied. See the full rule.
What are the lobby settings?
Standard 3v3 competitive soccer, five minutes, unlimited overtime, standard arenas only (no limited-time arenas), no mutators. See the match settings.
Who creates the lobby?
NARL production creates the private lobby and posts credentials to the captains channel. The home team plays Blue, the away team plays Orange. See the match settings.
What happens if we're late?
There is a 15-minute grace period. A team that cannot field three eligible players by then forfeits the entire series. See the match start rules.
What if someone disconnects mid-game?
Tell the match admin and they'll pause. Each team gets 10 minutes of disconnect time for the whole series — it's a budget that accumulates across every drop, not a fresh timer each time. Run it out before your player is back and you forfeit that game; a sub can come in for the next one. Play restarts from a neutral kickoff. See the full rule.
Can we substitute mid-series?
Only between games, not during them. See the substitution rules.
Can we reschedule a match?
Yes, with both captains agreeing and admin approval, requested at least 48 hours before the league night. A reschedule moves your series to a different slot on the same night — series aren't played on other days. Each team can initiate two per regular season. See the full rule.
How do standings work?
By overall game record, not series wins — a 2–1 series gives the winner two wins and one loss. Teams are ranked by game win percentage, with ties broken on head-to-head record and then goal differential per game. See the full standings rules.
How do playoffs work?
Each division's playoff field size is published before the season begins. Double-elimination bracket with best-of-five series; if the losers-bracket team wins the grand final's first series, a second series determines the champion. See the full playoffs rules.
Is there promotion and relegation between divisions?
Not currently. Division placement is set by NARL admins before each season. See the promotion section in the rules.
Are matches streamed?
All league matches broadcast on Twitch and YouTube. A league broadcaster or match admin occupies the spectator slot and teams must admit them before kickoff. See the broadcasts rules.
How do I dispute a result?
Raise anything that happens during a series with the match admin right then — if you play on without objecting, you generally can't dispute it afterwards. Otherwise a team captain can file within 24 hours of the series through the admin channel on the NARL Discord, with evidence like screenshots, clips, or replays. Filing in bad faith is a competitive integrity violation. See the full rule.
How do I reach an admin?
The NARL Discord is the fastest route, or email playnarl262@gmail.com.