Special Card Restrictions
As part of our ongoing commitment to improve the GameDay Squad experience, we are updating the competition structure to make it more accessible, balanced, and strategically rewarding for all coaches—especially those just starting their journey.
Following the recent Contender competition launch, we’re excited to introduce Part 2 of this rollout: Changes to Competition Rules specifically special card rarity restrictions.
Special Card Limits by Competition:
This table outlines the limitations placed on using Special Cards across different GDS competitions. It includes overall caps and sub-limits for Prize Cards and All-Star Cards. What are sub-limits?
Each competition has a total limit on how many Special Cards you can use in your squad. Within that total, there are sub-limits that control how many Prize Cards or All-Star Cards you can use specifically.
Example (Classic Competition):
Total Special Card Limit: 2
Sub-limit for Prize Cards: 1
Sub-limit for All-Star Cards: 2
✅ Valid squad combinations:
1 Prize Card + 1 All-Star Card
0 Prize Cards + 2 All-Star Cards
0 Prize Cards + 1 All-Star Card ❌ Invalid: 2 Prize Cards (because the Prize Card sub-limit is 1)
Women's Aussie Rules 2025
Starter Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Contender Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Classic Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 2
You may select up to TWO Special Cards in your squad.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: 1
Only ONE Prize Card can be selected in your squad.
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: 2
A maximum of TWO All-Star Cards can be used, as long as they fit within the total limit.
Challenger Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 6
You may select up to SIX Special Cards in your squad.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: 2
Only TWO Prize Card can be selected in your squad.
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: 3
A maximum of SIX All-Star Cards can be used, as long as they fit within the total limit.
Champion Competition
Total Special Card Limit: Unlimited
No restrictions; you can use as many Special Cards as you'd like.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: No limit
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: No limit
Fully unrestricted usage.
Starter
0
N/A
N/A
Contender
0
N/A
N/A
Classic
2
1
2
Challenger
6
2
6
Champion
Unlimited
No Limit
No Limit
Basketball 2025/26, AUS Cricket 2025/26, IND Cricket 2026, Global Cricket Championship 2026
Starter Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Contender Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Classic Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 2
You may select up to TWO Special Cards in your squad.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: 1
Only ONE Prize Card can be selected in your squad.
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: 2
A maximum of TWO All-Star Cards can be used, as long as they fit within the total limit.
Challenger Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 3
You may select up to THREE Special Cards in your squad.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: 1
Only ONE Prize Card can be selected in your squad.
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: 2
A maximum of TWO All-Star Cards can be used, as long as they fit within the total limit.
Champion Competition
Total Special Card Limit: Unlimited
No restrictions; you can use as many Special Cards as you'd like.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: No limit
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: No limit
Fully unrestricted usage.
Starter
0
N/A
N/A
Contender
0
N/A
N/A
Classic
2
1
2
Challenger
3
1
3
Champion
Unlimited
No Limit
No Limit
Aussie Rules 2026, Rugby League 2026
Starter Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW Cards: Not applicable
Contender Competition
Total Special Card Limit: 0
You cannot use any Special Cards in this tier.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: Not applicable
Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW Cards: Not applicable
Classic Competition
Total Special Card Limit: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW Cards: TBD
TBD
Challenger Competition
Total Special Card Limit: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: TBD
TBD
Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW Cards: TBD
TBD
Champion Competition
Total Special Card Limit: Unlimited
No restrictions; you can use as many Special Cards as you'd like.
Sub-Limit for Prize Cards: No limit
Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards: No limit
Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW Cards: No limit
Fully unrestricted usage.
Starter
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
Contender
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
Classic
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Challenger
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Champion
Unlimited
No Limit
No Limit
No Limit
Special Card limits for Aussie Rules and Rugby League are to be decided. Below is a breakdown of what is already confirmed. These numbers are subject to change and will be communicated when confirmed. Challenger: GameDay Squad can confirm that the total prize card limit for 2026 will not exceed 3, and will not fall below 2.
It is important to note: · These changes will only apply to the upcoming Women’s Aussie Rules and Basketball seasons for now. · They won’t affect the 2025 Men’s Aussie Rules or Rugby League seasons. · While the exact start date is still being finalised, the timing of this is to ensure coaches have enough time to prepare of the direction GDS is heading. There is a chance we will be unable to get the sub limit introduced in time for the 2025 Women's Aussie Rules and Basketball seasons, this will be communicated as soon as it’s known. In the event this occurs, the stated special card limit just without the sub limit for prize cards. . Salary cap changes will be made to competitions to reflect the below card rarity restrictions. These changes to salary cap will be announced as soon as possible.
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