Zagreb
Zagreb plays mali nogomet in school gyms in winter and on rented artificial pitches once the weather turns. In 2027 the MCC Major Champions Cup adds a 5-a-side tournament to that calendar: three Zagreb grounds in the west, east and south, a Pitch Round running 9 April to 9 May and a Pitch Champion at each who goes on to the Country Championship.
Three grounds, three champions
Two halves of 15 minutes on a stop clock. Every team plays three group matches in a group of four, and the top two go into the playoffs, where a tie level after two halves goes to penalties. Five weeks of football on each ground leave Zagreb with three Pitch Champions, and each goes straight to the Country Championship.
West Zagreb
64 to 128 teams · $20,000 to its Pitch Champion
East Zagreb
64 to 128 teams · $20,000 to its Pitch Champion
South Zagreb
64 to 128 teams · $20,000 to its Pitch Champion
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Mali nogomet and futsal in Zagreb
Croatian amateurs have two names for the game: mali nogomet, which covers the small-sided game generally, and futsal, the hall version with its own rules. Both are played across Zagreb in sports halls through the winter and on outdoor pitches after the clocks change. Work teams, neighbourhood groups and veterans' sides all take part.
Dinamo at Maksimir is the city's main club, and the stadium shapes how the east of the city thinks about football. MCC's rules of two 15-minute halves on a stop clock, squads of up to nine and a 40-minute slot sit easily next to the local game.
West, East and South Zagreb on the map
West Zagreb covers Trešnjevka, Črnomerec and the districts toward Podsused, on the side of the city nearest the Sava bridges. East Zagreb takes in Maksimir, Dubrava and the settlements out toward Sesvete. South Zagreb is Novi Zagreb, Trnje and the areas across the Sava.
The tram network, buses and suburban trains link all three areas to the centre at Ban Jelačić Square, so a team can reach its ground after work. Each ground holds up to 128 teams in a full round of its own. The MCC pitch owner programme picks one venue for each, and this page announces it when its agreement is signed.
Zagreb in April and May, then the Croatian title
April in Zagreb is mild and often wet, with temperatures between 8 and 17 degrees and the hills around Medvednica still fresh, while May is warmer and drier. Group play runs over three Friday-to-Sunday weekends that begin on 9, 16 and 23 April; playoffs begin on 30 April and each ground ends with its final on 9 May.
Croatia has no other host city, so Zagreb's three Pitch Champions head to the Country Championship, 28 to 30 May 2027, without a city round beforehand. Later comes the continental stage, and the World Final falls on 7 July 2027.
Zagreb tournaments, and what a full season adds
MCC is a five-week season: a published format, groups of four, penalties if a playoff ends level, and $20,000 for every Pitch Champion. Only amateur teams take part, and each entry names a Team President. A zero-tolerance conduct policy applies, up to licence revocation without refund.
The road out of Zagreb
- 01 · 9 Apr - 9 May 2027
Pitch Round
Groups of four on every pitch, three group matches each. The top two of every group go into the playoffs, and penalties settle a level playoff tie.
$20,000 - 02 · 28-30 May 2027
Country Championship
The Pitch Champions of each country play for the national title: two halves of 15 minutes, a league table, then the playoffs.
$150,000 - 03 · 2027
Continental Championship
Country Champions compete within their region for a place on the world stage.
$500,000 - 04 · 7 Jul 2027
World Championship
A five-team mini-league, then the World Final: two halves of 15 minutes, penalties if level. One MCC World Champion.
$5,000,000
Questions from Zagreb
How does a team enter MCC in Zagreb?
Register on this site and pick one of Zagreb's three grounds: West Zagreb, East Zagreb, South Zagreb. One Team License per team: USD 1,200 for one year until 1 March 2027 (then 2,500), or 5,000 for three years. Payment and KYC verification follow the application.
When does the tournament start in Zagreb?
The Pitch Round runs 9 April to 9 May 2027 on all three Zagreb grounds. The group matches are played on 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25 April, the playoffs from 30 April, and each ground's final on 9 May. Pitch Champions go straight to the Country Championship on 28-30 May 2027.
How many teams can play in Zagreb?
Up to 384: each of the three grounds takes up to 128 teams, and each needs a minimum of 64 to run its round. A full ground puts an entry on its waitlist instead of turning it away.
What can a Zagreb team win?
$20,000 per Pitch Champion, $150,000 for the Croatia title, $500,000 continental and $5,000,000 for the World Champion - plus championship rings from Country level up.
Do futsal players in Zagreb face rule differences at MCC?
The MCC match is five a side with squads of up to nine, played in two halves of 15 minutes on a stop clock, and a level playoff tie goes to penalties. Check the format on this site before registering, since hall rules differ.
Which ground is right for a team from Trešnjevka?
West Zagreb, which covers Trešnjevka and neighbouring districts. Any team can enter any ground, but each plays its own complete round, so the one nearest your squad saves a long evening trip.
Can a veterans' team in Zagreb enter?
Yes, as long as every player is an amateur. This page sets no age rule. A veterans' side registers five to nine players under a single Team License and names one of them Team President.
Does a Zagreb win mean playing outside Croatia?
Not at first. Zagreb's three Pitch Champions go to the Country Championship in late May 2027. The winner then goes on to the continental stage, which brings in teams from other countries.
Nearby in Europe
Claim a pitch in Zagreb
One Team License per team, for one year or three years. Squads of up to 9 are built in the MCC app after licensing. Registration takes the team, its coach and its Team President.
- USD1,200One year
- 5,000Three years