Season 2026 - Competition Structure/Card Rarity 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 card rarity restrictions.

It is important to note:

These changes will NOT be implemented until the beginning of the 2026 season. There will be NO CHANGES to the 2025 competition structure.

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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Card Rarity Restrictions per Competition Tier

Each competition tier will now accept specific card rarities only.

Competition	Allowed Card Rarities
Starter	Bronze
Contender	Bronze, Silver, Gold
Classic	Silver, Gold, Platinum + Special Cards
Challenger	Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Legends + Special Cards
Champion	Platinum, Diamond, Legends + Special Cards

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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)

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.

Competition	Total Special Card Limit	Sub-Limit for Prize Cards	Sub-Limit for All-Star Cards	Sub-Limit for QLD vs NSW
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 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.