2026 membership
2026 membership

League Operations FAQ

  • I. Club match venue must measure at least 100 yards long by 68 yards wide. Clubs are encouraged to provide clean changing rooms, shower facilities, and towels at or nearby match venue. The host venue must have benches for each team and referee.
    II. Match results will be submitted within thirty (30) minutes of match completion. The match report will be submitted within two (2) hours of match completion.
    III. Please allot two (2) hours before kickoff and one (1) hour after the game for match venue availability. A match-day timeline is required to ensure consistency throughout the League.
    IV. Matches starting after 6:00 pm must have adequate lighting capabilities in the event of darkness, suspension, or postponement.
    V. A host must provide water. It is required to have one (1) water cooler per team available at the pitchside with cups and/or bottles. Clubs are encouraged to provide water in the changing rooms for pregame, halftime, and postgame.
    VI. The League encourages hosts to provide meals following competitions. However, no Club is required to provide postgame meals for opponents.
    VII. The Host Club is responsible for changing the kit if a clash occurs.
    VIII. Suggested Game Day Staff: certified health professional (ATC, MD), ball retrievers, scorekeeper/statistician, ticket staff, visiting team liaison, hospitality, social media coordinator, video coordinator.
    IX. Personnel allowed on the bench during the match: coaching staff (five permitted), certified medical staff, and available substitutes. Only players on the match-day lineup sheet are permitted on the bench.
    X.. Represent the League, your Club, and yourself as professionally as possible. We are committed to growing the game and developing the soccer culture in each community. Please respect the game, opponents, teammates, referees, and fans.
    XI. The Ohio Valley Premier League shall comply with the IFAB Laws of the Game, and the only exemptions shall be detailed in this document

  • I. 2025 Referee Fees: $300 (120/90/90)—If a team requests a fourth, you will add an additional $45 to the match fee. (Acceptable payments at Cash, Venmo, Zelle)
    II. Home teams are responsible for payment prior to kick-off.
    III. Approved League Assignors:
    Tony DeLois - Indiana - moc.kooltuo%40sioled_ynot [OVPL Liasison]
    ● Chad Collins - Kentucky - moc.oohay%400801snilloc
    ● Atahan Yaya - Northern Ohio - moc.liamg%40nahataayay
    ● Rizzal Milliken - Cincinnati/Columbus - moc.liamtoh%404mlazir
    ● Chuck Tekatte - Pennsylvania - moc.liamg%40ettoketkcuhc
    ● Marc Reppermund - Pennsylvania & West Virginia - moc.liamg%40dnumrepper.cram


    If you want your name added to the list as an approved assignor. Please contact Jason Brown at moc.reccosapa%40nosaj

  • I. This policy applies to all League members. Failure to follow it will result in disciplinary action.

    II. Play will be suspended for 30 minutes if lightning or inclement weather is detected within 10 miles of the League match site.

    III. The site administrator, the Club representative on Duty, the officiating crew, or athletic training personnel is responsible for making the call to suspend/resume play.

    IV. Those responsible for suspending play will communicate with the League management about the suspension of play.

    V. Play can resume when no lightning or inclement weather has been detected for 30 minutes within 10 miles of the League match site.

    VI. Fans will be directed, via PA announcement, to seek shelter if lightning or inclement weather is detected within 10 miles of the League match site. The League advises all member Clubs to post this policy on their websites and match sites for public knowledge to ease any suspensions or postponements.

  • Roster Requirements
    ● Unlimited player pool permitted.● Match-day roster limited to twenty-two (22) players.● A minimum of thirteen (13) eligible players are required at kickoff.● Players must be 16+ years of age.● Teams with players under the age of 18 must complete all required SafeSport protocols for those players and staff over the age of 18. Team have 14 days to comply with this standard upon registering a player under the age of 18. 
    Match-Day Documentation
    Three (3) copies of the official roster are required:
     ● One (1) copy for the opposing club
    ● One (1) copy for the referee crew
    ● One (1) copy for the home team
    One (1) GotSport Match Sheets
    This is for official scorekeeping of the match and will be submitted by the Home team. Teams may utilize the QR code on the sheet. If the QR code does not work, please email the sheet to the league director at .moc.reccosapa%40nosaj
    Player Identification● Referees must collect and verify all player cards prior to match entry.● No card. No picture. No entry.● Any illegal substitution or use of an ineligible player shall result in a 3-0 forfeit and review by league leadership.

  • OVPL Substitution Guidelines [Revised 2026]
    To promote player safety, match flow, and competitive integrity, each team shall be permitted:1. Four (4) substitution moments during regulation time2. One (1) additional substitution moment during overtime (if applicable)
    Definition of a Substitution Moment
    A substitution moment is any stoppage in play during which one or more players are substituted by the same team.Multiple players substituted during the same stoppage count as one (1) substitution moment.
    Once a player is substituted. They are not allowed to re-enter for the remainder of the half. They are allowed to re-enter during the moments listed below [half-time and end of regulation]
    Substitution Moments That Do Not Count
    The following situations do not count against allotted substitution moments:
    1. Halftime2. The period immediately prior to overtime
    Concussion & Head Injury Protocol
    If a player is removed due to a suspected concussion or head injury:
    1. The substitution counts as a substitution moment.2. The player may not return unless cleared by a licensed medical professional in accordance with concussion protocols and competition standards.
    Match Administration
    1. Referees maintain the official count of substitution moments.2. Teams are responsible for managing substitutions within permitted limits.3. Substitutions are allowed at any stoppage with referee approval.4. Competition organizers reserve the right to amend this policy to align with federation guidance, player welfare standards, and league operations.

  • I. The OVPL schedule will be determined by the OVPL Executives.

    II. The OVPL will consist of an eight (8) to ten (10) game schedule. Members should seek to play one (1) game per week. Any additional games per week must be approved with written reasoning on the schedule alteration.

    III. The OVPL executives must approve any team scheduled to play two (2) league matches on the same day.

    IV. Teams shall immediately submit requested home dates, blackout dates, and conflicts to aid in scheduling. The OVPL Executives will try to accommodate all requests.

    V. League and team schedules should be available for the viewing of all league participants in a timely manner. All schedules should be updated publicly within 24 hours of any changes

    VI. Cancellations should be made within 48 hours of advance notice, or the canceling team shall be subject to referee fees, facility fees, and/or travel costs incurred by the opponent. Any cancellation within 24 hours would qualify as a forfeiture and a 5-0 winning result for the opponent.

    VII. In the event of weather, all teams must submit facility policies to the League. The weather policy must be available to the referees and visiting teams on match days.

    VIII. All requests to reschedule an OVPL game must be submitted to the league administrator and referee assignor AND the opponent at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled play date. The Match Change Request is subject to approval by the league administrator. These requests must be submitted online through the league website.

    IX. In the event of weather, a match that has been played will be considered a full match after the first half (45 minutes) of play. Teams can replay the match if a replay, costs, and reschedule is mutually agreed upon. A grace period for inclement weather or extenuating circumstances is sixty (60) minutes; the match can be called off after this grace period. The match can also be called depending on the facility agreement and the allotted time permitted to play. (Amended 10/24/2020)

  • Required Venue Standards
    All clubs must provide:● High school, college, or stadium venue with permanent stands or bleachers● Open public park venues are NOT permitted
    Minimum field dimensions:● 100 yards x 65 yards minimum● Preferred dimensions: 100 yards x 68 yards
    Benches for each team accommodating:● 18 players/coaching staff minimum● Referee table and two chairs at midfield [Recommended for Regular Season, Mandatory for Playoffs]● Warm-up space or field availability at least forty-five (45) minutes prior to kickoff● Free parking for opposing players and coaches
    Lighting Requirements● Matches beginning after 6:00 PM must have adequate lighting.● Clubs without approved lighting systems may not host matches after 6:00 PM.● Lighting must support delays, suspensions, or extended play. Venue Administration● Each club must submit approved home fields for league play.● All venues require a valid Letter of Insurance.● If multiple venues are used, the designated venue must be identified when schedules are released.
    Any field location changes:● Require a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours' notice● May require travel reimbursement if the new venue exceeds twenty (20) additional miles
    Parking PolicyNo venue may charge parking fees unless approved by League Executives a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the match.


  • Men's Division

    The Ohio Valley Premier League [OVPL_GLA] is spread across Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Members are assigned to divisions based on geographic location. The OVPL Executive Committee will review annually and align teams to provide limited travel distances. The goal for maximum travel to a club is 4 Hours [one-way].

    The summer playing experience will be made up of 2 conferences. The River and the Valley. Each conference will be divided into 2 Divisions, with a maximum of 6 teams in each division. Each team will play 10 matches and have the potential to play for the OVPL Championship.

    The league will feature a playoff that will take the Top 2 teams of each division to participate in the OVPL Championship. The #1 seed of each division will host the #2 Seed of the opposite division [i.e., #1 River East vs. #2 River West. etc.].

    The final four teams that advance will meet during championship weekend at the designated tournament site. There will be a minimum of 24 hours between the semi-final and the final. The teams in the championship weekend may have to secure lodging for the finals weekend.

    * Players under 18 but no younger than 16 may be eligible for participation based on the player's ability.
    ** All men's teams will be eligible to apply and participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifications rounds.


    Women's Division

    The Ohio Valley Premier League [OVPL_GLA] is spread across Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Members are assigned to divisions based on geographic location. The OVPL Executive Committee will review annually and align teams to provide limited travel distances. The goal for maximum travel to a club is 4 Hours [one-way].

    The summer playing experience will be made up of 2 conferences. The River and the Valley. Each conference will be divided into 2 Divisions, with a maximum of 6 teams in each division. Each team will play 6 to 8 matches and have the potential to play for the OVPL Championship.

    The league will feature a playoff that will take the Top 2 teams of each division to participate in the OVPL Championship. The #1 seed of each division will host the #2 Seed of the opposite division [i.e., #1 River East vs. #2 River West. etc.].

    The final four teams that advance will meet during championship weekend at the designated tournament site. There will be a minimum of 24 hours between the semi-final and the final. The teams in the championship weekend may have to secure lodging for the finals weekend.

    * Players under 18 but no younger than 16 may be eligible for participation based on the player's ability.