How is a wheelchair rugby game won?
A · Advanced · Fouls · 4 of 4The team with more tries after four periods wins; if tied, 3-minute overtimes are played until one leads. Two referees run the game with a commissioner and table officials. A team forfeits if it cannot field four legal players within 15 minutes, breaks the point limit or falls below two players. A fallen player is helped up, with a minute allowed.
How it works
- Win: most tries.
- Tie: 3-minute overtimes.
- Referees: two, plus a commissioner.
- Table: scorer, timer, 40-second and penalty clocks.
- Forfeit: cannot field four in 15 minutes.
- Forfeit score: 1-0 if the forfeiter led.
- Fallen player: play stopped when safe.
- Over a minute: time-out or substitution.
The glossary has the deciding the game, the forfeit (wheelchair rugby), the officials (wheelchair rugby), the fallen player, the equipment time-out and the advantage principle (wheelchair rugby).
Tricky cases
A player tips over near a scoring chance. Does play stop?
After the chance ends, unless the player is hurt.
Can referees change the rules?
No.
A team drops to one player. Result?
Forfeit.
How long is a fix for a broken chair?
One minute.
Why the rule exists
Overtime settles ties on court. Safety stoppages protect players who cannot right a chair alone.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tie | Overtime | 109 |
| Forfeit | 15 minutes | 111 |
| Fall | One minute | 59 |
From the rule book
World Wheelchair Rugby, International Wheelchair Rugby Rules (1 April 2026), rules 40, 41, 58, 59, 109 and 111. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Wheelchair Rugby International Rules, April 2026.