> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gameday-squad.gitbook.io/gameday-squad/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gameday-squad.gitbook.io/gameday-squad/sports/football/learning-the-game/competitions/learning-about-our-competitions.md).

# Learning About Our Competitions

GameDay Squad Football is not a single competition where everyone plays the same game. It is a ladder of competitions, each with its own salary cap, its own card restrictions and its own prize pool. Where you play is your choice, and it is one of the most important strategic decisions you make all season.

### 2026/27's Competitions

There are eight competitions running this season: five standard competitions and three special competitions.

| Type     | Competition             | Salary Cap    | Special Card Limit |    Bronze   | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |    Legend   |   All Star  |  Prize Card |
| -------- | ----------------------- | ------------- | ------------------ | :---------: | :----: | :--: | :------: | :-----: | :---------: | :---------: | :---------: |
| Standard | Starter                 | 7.5mil        | 0                  |     Yes     |   No   |  No  |    No    |    No   |      No     |      No     |      No     |
| Standard | Contender               | 8mil          | 0                  |     Yes     |   Yes  |  Yes |    No    |    No   |      No     |      No     |      No     |
| Standard | Classic                 | 10mil         | 2                  |     Yes     |   Yes  |  Yes |    Yes   |    No   |      No     | Yes (max 2) | Yes (max 1) |
| Standard | Challenger              | 12mil         | 5                  |      No     |   No   |  Yes |    Yes   |   Yes   |     Yes     | Yes (max 5) | Yes (max 1) |
| Standard | Champion                | No Salary Cap | No Limit           |      No     |   No   |  No  |    Yes   |   Yes   | Yes (max 5) |     Yes     |     Yes     |
| Special  | The Stats Lab Primetime | No Salary Cap | No Limit           |     Yes     |   Yes  |  Yes |    Yes   |   Yes   | Yes (max 8) |     Yes     |     Yes     |
| Special  | Under 23s               | 11mil         | 3                  | Yes (max 4) |   Yes  |  Yes |    Yes   |   Yes   |     Yes     | Yes (max 3) | Yes (max 1) |
| Special  | Underdogs               | 10.5mil       | 2                  | Yes (max 4) |   Yes  |  Yes |    Yes   |   Yes   | Yes (max 1) | Yes (max 2) | Yes (max 1) |

*Note: Where a cell reads **Yes (max 3)**, that rarity is allowed but capped at that number of cards in your squad.*

### Eligibility

Coaches may submit a squad into up to four competitions per round.

The Starter and Contender competitions exist to give newer coaches a fair run, so they are closed to anyone competing in the Challenger or Champion competitions. Classic is open to everyone with no restrictions at all.

### About Our Competitions

#### The Salary Cap

Every player card carries a salary cost determined purely by its rarity, never by how well that player is performing. Your squad's combined salary must sit under the cap of the competition you are entering. Only your 15 scoring players count towards the cap. Emergency selections do not.

#### Card Restrictions

Each competition allows a specific set of card rarities. These bands are exclusive, not cumulative. Challenger locks out Bronze and Silver entirely, and Champion locks out everything below Platinum.

#### Special Card limits

Special Cards covers All Star Cards and Prize Cards. Where a competition sets a Special Card Limit, that is the total number of special cards allowed in your squad, and the Prize Card sub limit caps how many of those may be Prize Cards.

#### Special Rules

The three special competitions each carry their own additional rule on top of the salary cap and card restrictions. Those are set out on the Special Competition page.