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.
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.
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)
Competition Breakdown
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: 6
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
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