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.
Card Rarity Restrictions per Competition Tier
Each competition tier will now accept specific card rarities only.
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
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.
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.
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