USQ Updates International Play Policies
US Quadball has renewed and expanded its Memorandum of Understanding with Quadball Canada (QC) while introducing a new International Team Participation Policy for the US Quadball Cup Open Division.
Together, the two policies establish a clearer framework for cross-border competition and create a pathway for international teams to compete at USQ Cup while maintaining appropriate registration, roster, officiating, and event standards.
The updated USQ-QC MOU will take effect Sept. 1. It outlines requirements for both individual players and full teams participating across the U.S.-Canada border, with the goal of making cross-border competition easier to navigate while respecting the rules and requirements of each national governing body.
Updated USQ and Quadball Canada Agreement
Under the updated MOU, players participating across the border must first register with their home national governing body (NGB). Players may maintain memberships with both USQ and QC if they meet each organization's registration requirements. However, USQ- and QC-official teams may continue to roster a maximum of three cross-border participants.
For full teams, the MOU provides additional opportunities for cross-border competition. Teams must remain registered with their home NGB and follow the host organization's requirements for conduct, roster composition, gameplay, and officiating. Games between teams from different countries may be recognized as official games when host-NGB requirements are met, though they will not count toward league standings.
The agreement also establishes how cross-border competition may contribute toward season requirements. For USQ teams, cross-border events may count as up to two unique events, while at least 75 percent of a team's official games must be played against USQ-registered teams. Up to two cross-border teams may count as unique opponents.
Canadian teams will be permitted to attend non-qualifier USQ-hosted events such as USQ Winter Classic and other USQ Invitationals. They may also participate in the USQ Cup Club Open Division if they meet USQ's new International Team Participation Policy. They may not participate in USQ National Qualifiers.
International Teams at USQ Cup
Alongside the updated agreement with QC, USQ has adopted a broader International Team Participation Policy governing how teams registered with other national governing bodies may participate in the USQ Cup Open Division. The policy is designed to work alongside agreements USQ enters into with partner NGBs. When an executed MOU and the general policy conflict, the MOU controls unless otherwise specified.
This means the pathway is not limited to Canadian teams. International teams registered with another NGB may request to participate in the USQ Cup Open Division.
To be eligible, an international team must be registered and in good standing with its home NGB; receive approval to participate from that NGB; and meet all applicable USQ Cup policies and registration requirements. Teams may roster no more than six players from the same national team, although an appeal process is available in recognition that smaller NGBs may have national teams composed primarily of athletes from a single club.
International teams remain ineligible for USQ National Qualifiers and may not compete in the Club Competitive, Collegiate Division I, or Collegiate Division II divisions. Their participation also does not provide eligibility for USQ rankings, bids, or all-star events, and their USQ Cup games will not count toward USQ standings.
Registration and Membership Requirements
International teams interested in USQ Cup must first submit a participation request (linked in the policy) to USQ Gameplay. Once approved, the team must complete USQ Cup registration, pay the applicable Open Division team fee, submit required roster and documentation materials, and comply with all event requirements, including Stay and Play.
All players on an international team's USQ Cup roster must also register with USQ for the season.
International players will receive a discounted player registration and must provide proof of current registration with their home NGB. Players residing within USQ's geographic jurisdiction that would like to participate on an international team at USQ Cup must instead register as USQ Club Players and pay the standard club player registration fee.
International teams will also be responsible for meeting USQ's officiating requirements with minor adjustments to reflect the inability to field test. The international team officials requirement includes two Lead Assistant Referees, one Seeker Referee, two Assistant Referees, two Flag Runners, and two Quadball.One scorekeepers, with each requirement filled by a different person.
These updates are intended to make it easier for teams to understand when and how they can compete across national borders while protecting the integrity of each NGB's domestic competition structure.
For USQ, the new International Team Participation Policy brings more participants to the USQ Cup Open Division while creating a clear pathway for international teams to join the championship weekend without impacting qualification, rankings, or competitive divisions. The policy is considered experimental, and USQ will collect feedback following USQ Cup and make adjustments as needed.
USQ looks forward to continuing its relationship with QC and exploring additional opportunities to welcome teams from across the international quadball community to USQ events.
