Game Rules

1. General Principles

The Ice Games are a professional Ice Cross competition designed to bring together the world’s best athletes in a high-intensity, fair, and spectacular format.

All participants—riders, staff, and organizers—are expected to respect the values of integrity, safety, and sportsmanship.

The following rules define the competition structure, athlete eligibility, safety standards, and conduct expectations for all involved.

2. Competition Format

2.1. Qualification

Each rider completes two timed runs on the official course.
The best time of the two is retained for ranking.
The top 64 men and top 16 women advance to the elimination rounds.
In case of equal times, the second-best run determines ranking.

2.2. Elimination Heats

Riders compete in heats of four.
The two fastest riders advance to the next round.
Contact is allowed, but deliberate obstruction or dangerous behavior is prohibited.
Any protest must be filed within 5 minutes after the heat.

2.3. Semi-Finals and Finals

The semi-finals follow the same format: four riders, top two advance.
The Final (A Final) determines 1st–4th place.
The Small Final (B Final) determines 5th–8th place.

2.4 Ranking & Points

Rank Points

1 --> 100

2 --> 80

3 --> 65

4 --> 55

5-8 --> 45

9-16 --> 30

17-32 --> 20

33-64 --> 10

> 64 --> 5

Points count toward the Ice Games World Series Ranking.

3. Categories

Men’s Division
Women’s Division

4. Pool Composition of 4 in the Final Phase

4.1 – Qualified Participants

The 64 fastest qualifiers in the men’s category will advance to the final phase.
The 16 fastest qualifiers in the women’s category will advance to the final phase.
Each competitor is ranked based on their qualification time (individual time trial).

4.2 – Formation of Pools of 4

The qualified competitors are distributed into pools of 4 each (i.e., 16 pools for the men, 4 pools for the women).

The pool composition is arranged as follows:

1 – 64 – 32 – 33

2 – 63 – 31 – 34

3 – 62 – 30 – 35

4 – 61 – 29 – 36

5 – 60 – 28 – 37

6 – 59 – 27 – 38

7 – 58 – 26 – 39

8 – 57 – 25 – 40

9 – 56 – 24 – 41

10 – 55 – 23 – 42

11 – 54 – 22 – 43

12 – 53 – 21 – 44

13 – 52 – 20 – 45

14 – 51 – 19 – 46

15 – 50 – 18 – 47

16 – 49 – 17 – 48

This arrangement ensures that the top-ranked qualifiers do not meet each other in the first heat, while maintaining competitive balance.

4.3 – Pool of 4 Format

In each pool of 4, the four competitors race simultaneously and are ranked at the end of that race.

The ranking in each pool determines progression to the next phase: the top 2 from each pool qualify.

In the event of a tie in finishing position:
a)The faster qualification time will prevail.
b) If still unresolved, a draw will decide.

4.4 – Progression to Next Phase

Competitors qualified at the end of the pools of 4 advance to the next phase (e.g., 1/8 finals, quarter finals, etc.).

4.5 – Organisational Notes

The qualification time not only allows access to the final phase but also determines advantage in pool assignment (e.g., Rank 1 receives the pool with 64/32/33).
To preserve sporting equity and TV/spectator appeal, the organiser ensures that top seeds are distributed and that no pool unfairly concentrates the fastest qualifiers.
Any modification (withdrawal, disqualification, late arrival) between qualification and the final phase may trigger an adjustment of pools, which will be communicated before the start.

5. Equipment & Safety

5.1 Mandatory Gear

Certified helmet (full-face)
Shoulder, elbow, knee protection
Ice Cross skates (no long blades)
Gloves, neck guard

5.2 Technical Inspection

All equipment is subject to inspection by the Race Director.

Unsafe or modified gear may lead to disqualification.

5.3 Course Safety

Each course must be validated by the Technical Committee.

Padding, fencing, and medical staff are mandatory in dangerous spots.

Unsafe conditions may result in race postponement or cancellation.

6. Conduct & Fair Play

6.1 Rider Behavior

Respect toward riders, officials, and staff is mandatory.
Unsportsmanlike conduct (verbal abuse, fighting, reckless riding) leads to penalties or disqualification.
Alcohol or substance use before or during competition is forbidden.

6.2 Penalties

Minor Penalty: Warning or time deduction
Major Penalty: Heat disqualification or event exclusion
Repeat offenses: Suspension from future events

7 – Physical Contact & Body-to-Body Interaction

7.1 General Principle
All competitors commit to respecting the sporting spirit, the safety of others and the smooth flow of the competition. Any physical contact must be consistent with these commitments.

7.2 Permitted Contact
a. Light physical interaction such as lateral support, trajectory overlap or moderate shoulder/hip touches—when executed in a controlled way and without undue force—is permitted.
b. Strategic body placement or slight displacement of an opponent’s line, provided the blade/edge is not extended, no projection occurs, and no violation of safety is involved, may be allowed.
c. Any shoulder, hip, body-to-body manoeuvre must remain controlled, foreseen, and must not carry the intent to injure or forcefully knock down the opponent.

7.3 Prohibited Contact
The following are strictly prohibited:
a. Excessive or repeated shoulder charges, violent side collisions, projections, sweeping of the blade intended to unbalance an opponent, or any manoeuvre whose primary objective is to bring down the opponent.
b. Attacks from behind, outside the opponent’s field of view or outside a fair trajectory contest.
c. Use of the blade (or any part of the skate) as a contact tool or deliberate threat.
d. Any manoeuvre that jeopardises the stability of the opponent (e.g., hitting a trap zone, forcing them off the marked route, inducing a fall through contact).
e. Deliberate contact with helmet, head, neck or any vulnerable zone of the opponent.
f. Persistent physical harassment, post-finish line contact or contact during escorting from finish zone to paddock.

8. Officials

Race Director – Oversees operations and safety
Head Judge – Validates results and handles protests
Technical Director – Approves course and safety
Starter & Finish Judge – Ensure fair starts and accurate timing

All official decisions are final.

9. Media & Image Rights

By participating, all athletes and staff grant Ice Games the right to use their image, name, and performance for media and promotional purposes.

Sponsor logos on race bibs must be approved by the organization.

In the event of a tie at the end of the season, the best individual result will determine the ranking. The overall ranking is updated after each official stage.

10. Commitment & fair play

Each rider must attend the mandatory briefing before the competition. Those absent from the briefing may be excluded.
Riders agree to abide by the Ice Games Code of Conduct.
Any breach of the spirit of the movement will result in penalties, even outside of the competition.

11. Communication & image

All participating riders agree to be filmed and photographed for the promotion of the event.
The image of the sport takes precedence over individual image.
Interviews and personal content must remain consistent with Ice Games values: Authenticity, respect, intensity.

12. Liability clause

Participation in the event implies full and complete acceptance of these rules.
Each rider is responsible for their own behavior, equipment, and health.

The organizers accept no responsibility for failure to comply with safety instructions.

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