DIVISIONS
3- U2316 Teams
- Open Age12 Teams
- Over 30s (Masters)12 Teams
Team enquiries ↗OUR BRAND PARTNERS
Minutes that matter.
The Melbourne Invitational Development Showcase (MIDS) Cup gives players aged 18 and over a competitive pathway across three divisions: Under 23s, Open Age and Over 30s (Masters).
Teams enter at no cost — with separate pools and placing pathways built for players with potential who are ready to test themselves against new opposition.
BY THE NUMBERS
Development is tested in competition. Three divisions, different teams, new opportunities and five weeks to respond, adapt and rise to the challenge. Every player gets an arena in which to grow.
Kick-off starts at 1 pm
PRIZES AND AWARDS
Total of $75KTEAM PRIZE POOL AND INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
WHY THE MIDS CUP
A tournament for players with potential.
The MIDS Cup gives players a proper competitive pathway across three divisions: Under 23s for emerging adults, Open Age for senior players, and Over 30s (Masters) for experienced players. Different opponents bring different opportunities. The challenge is where development happens.
Who can join
- Clubs and teams can express interest.
- Players aged 18 and above who are ready to compete, learn and show what they can do.
- Players aged 18 and above who are not registered with a club, academy or team can be placed in an organiser-led team.
MATCH ACTION / COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL3
DIVISIONS, ONE STANDARD
THE FORMAT
Five weeks.
Three divisions.
Each division runs its own pool and placing pathway. Weeks 1–3 set the standings, Week 4 brings the semi-finals and Week 5 decides every final placing.
Four zones of four teams.
Three pools of four teams.
Three Masters pools of four teams.
Pool round-robin
Each four-team pool completes its first round.
Pool round-robin
Each pool completes its second round.
Standings set
The third round is played and pool positions are set.
Pool semi-finals
Each pool plays its two semi-finals and U23 bands are formed.
Final placings
Winners and losers meet to settle every placing.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT / FIVE WEEKSFIVE WEEKS.
EVERY PLACE DECIDED.FORMAT OVERVIEW
EVERY PLACE DECIDED.FORMAT OVERVIEW
PRIZE MONEY
$75,000
across the tournament.
The confirmed pool is $69,000 in team prizes plus $6,000 in personal awards. Every division has its own placing pathway and four $500 individual awards.
| Place | Under 23s | Open Age | Over 30s (Masters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $7,200 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 2nd | $3,500 | $3,200 | $3,200 |
| 3rd | $2,600 | $2,300 | $2,300 |
| 4th | $2,200 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| 5th | $1,900 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 6th | $1,700 | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| 7th | $1,550 | $1,150 | $1,150 |
| 8th | $1,400 | $1,050 | $1,050 |
| 9th | $1,200 | $950 | $950 |
| 10th | $1,050 | $850 | $850 |
| 11th | $900 | $750 | $750 |
| 12th | $800 | $650 | $650 |
| 13th | $600 | — | — |
| 14th | $550 | — | — |
| 15th | $500 | — | — |
| 16th | $350 | — | — |
| Confirmed division allocation | $28,000 | $23,500 | $23,500 |
| Award | Under 23s | Open Age | Over 30s (Masters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Golden Boot | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Best Goalkeeper | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Fair Play Award | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Awards total | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
FOR TEAMS
Your cost is zero.
Bring players with potential, a coach and kit. The MIDS Cup provides the setting for them to test their game against new opposition, while our partners cover the event costs.
- Venue
- Referees and match officials
- Fixtures and competition administration
- Full commercial insurance
- On-site medical cover
- Registered players
- A coach
- Playing kit
The MIDS Cup is supported by partners, match-day advertising and vendor space. Teams do not fund the tournament. The published prize and award allocation totals $69,000 across the three divisions and individual awards.
ALSO INCLUDED
More than match minutes.
Every match live
Every match is filmed and livestreamed. Teams receive the full match and a review link.
Useful coach footage
Coaches can use the match recording for selection decisions and opposition analysis.
Player highlights
Individual highlights are cut for players to keep and post, with cross-posting to team channels.
Recovery equipment + physios
The MIDS Cup will have a recovery area with recovery equipment. Licensed physios will also work with players between matches.
Tournament gym membership
Gym membership is provided for the tournament to squad players who do not already have gym access.
Food stalls on site
Food and drink stalls will be available at the venue during the tournament week.
LIVESTREAM / FULL MATCHFULL MATCH.
FULL PICTURE.LIVE
FULL PICTURE.LIVE
OUR PARTNERS
The brands
behind the football.
Our partners help The MIDS Cup deliver the event without charging teams an entry fee.
Meet our partners ↗
RECOVERY PARTNER
Hyperice
Supporting player recovery between matches throughout tournament week.
Visit Hyperice ↗BRAND PARTNERS
Brands backing a better week of football.
FOOD STALLSFood and drink
Food and drink
on site.
Follow the food stalls joining The MIDS Cup on Instagram.
Mrs. MarketQUESTIONS
What teams ask first.
1What is The MIDS Cup?
The Melbourne Invitational Development Showcase Cup is a five-week men's football tournament in Melbourne with three divisions: Under 23s, Open Age and Over 30s (Masters).
2Who can play?
Registered players aged 18 or over may be selected by an entered team. Teams nominate the division that fits their players and follow the published competition rules.
3How many teams are in each division?
Under 23s has 16 teams across four four-team zones. Open Age has 12 teams across three four-team pools. Over 30s (Masters) has 12 teams across three four-team pools.
4How does the five-week format work?
Weeks 1–3 are pool round-robin rounds. Week 4 is the semi-final stage. Week 5 settles the final placings within each pool or U23 placing band.
5How are U23 placings decided?
The four zone winners play for places 1–4, runners-up for 5–8, third-placed teams for 9–12 and fourth-placed teams for 13–16.
6How are Open Age and Masters placings decided?
Each division has three independent pools. North West sets positions 1–4, South East sets 5–8 and Central sets 9–12 after the pool semi-finals and final placing matches.
7How much does a team pay to enter?
Nothing. Teams pay no entry fee. The organiser and its brand partners support the venue, match officials, administration, insurance and event services.
8How much prize money is available?
The published tournament allocation is $75,000: $69,000 across the three division placing schedules plus $6,000 in personal awards.
9Do Football Victoria fixtures take priority?
Yes. Football Victoria fixtures always take precedence. The confirmed calendar and match slots will be discussed with participating teams.
10Is The MIDS Cup a football or soccer tournament?
Both terms describe the same sport in Australia. The MIDS Cup is a men's football, or soccer, tournament held in Melbourne.
CONTACT
Put your team
in the conversation.
The tournament starts Monday, 12 October 2026. Contact us to register your interest or ask about entering a team. Venue details will be shared when confirmed.
TEAM ENQUIRIESwelcome@themidscup.com.au
PARTNERSHIPSpartners@themidscup.com.au
TEAM ENQUIRIES
Register team interest.
Tell us you are interested in joining The MIDS Cup. We will reply with tournament information as dates and venue details are confirmed.
ORGANISED BYThe MIDS Cup