Terms & Conditions

The World Cup 2026 Predictor Challenge ("the Competition") is a skill-based prediction competition open to all registered users. Participants predict the exact score of each group stage match (72 total) in the World Cup 2026, plus an optional tournament winner prediction.

The Competition is operated privately and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to FIFA, any national football association, or any broadcasting organisation.

The Competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who registers an account.

Employees, agents, or family members of the organisers are not eligible to win prizes.

One entry per person. Multiple accounts are not permitted.

Free Entry: Any registered user may enter the Competition at no cost. Free entrants make identical predictions using the same form, the same deadline, and are scored on the same basis as paid entrants. Free entrants appear on the Overall Leaderboard but are not eligible for monetary prizes.

Prize Entry (£10): Participants may pay a £10 entry fee to become prize eligible. The only difference between free and paid entry is prize eligibility. The prediction form, deadline, and scoring formula are identical for all participants.

Upgrade: Free entrants may upgrade to Prize Entry by paying £10 at any time before the competition deadline. Predictions already submitted remain unchanged.

All entries (free and paid) must be submitted before the start of the first World Cup 2026 group stage match. Predictions for individual matches lock 1 hour before that match's scheduled kick-off time. No changes may be made after a prediction is locked.

No new entries (free or paid) will be accepted after the competition deadline. No upgrades from free to paid entry will be accepted after the deadline.

Points are awarded equally to all participants (free and paid) as follows:

• +3 points — Exact score correct (e.g., predicted 2-1, result 2-1)
• +1 point — Correct result (Win/Draw/Loss) but not exact score
• 0 points — Incorrect prediction or no prediction submitted
• +5 points — Correct tournament winner prediction (bonus)

The participant with the highest total points at the conclusion of the group stage wins. In the event of a tie, the tie-break order is: (1) most exact scores, (2) most correct results, (3) correct tournament winner, (4) earliest submission timestamp.

The prize pot is formed solely from paid entry fees. Free entries do not contribute to the prize pot.

• 50% of the total prize pot is donated to Thurso Pipe Band
• 25% of the total prize pot is awarded to 1st place (prize eligible only)
• 15% of the total prize pot is awarded to 2nd place (prize eligible only)
• 10% of the total prize pot is awarded to 3rd place (prize eligible only)

In the event fewer than 3 prize-eligible entrants finish the competition, prize percentages will be redistributed proportionally. If there are no prize-eligible entrants, the full pot is donated to Thurso Pipe Band.

Prizes will be distributed within 28 days of the final group stage match result being confirmed.

This competition is structured as a skill-based game. Success depends on the participant's knowledge of football, analytical ability, and accuracy of predictions across 72 individual matches. Prizes are awarded based solely on predictive accuracy as measured by the scoring system described above.

The outcome of the competition is not determined by chance. All participants have equal access to the same information and the same prediction form.

The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any participant who creates multiple accounts, uses automated tools to submit predictions, or acts in bad faith. Disqualified participants forfeit any prize eligibility. Entry fees paid by disqualified participants will not be refunded.

The organisers reserve the right to modify or cancel the competition in exceptional circumstances (e.g., widespread match postponements). In the event of cancellation, paid entry fees will be returned in full except for any amount already donated to charity.

These terms are governed by the laws of Scotland. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

For questions regarding these terms, please contact the organisers via the contact information provided in the Privacy Policy.