8on8

8on8 is a competition format in which two teams of eight players compete against one another. The term is used across different sports and competitive environments, most notably in football (soccer) as an eight-a-side variant, and in team-based video games and esports to describe an eight-player-per-side match.

In eight-a-side football, the format is a smaller-sided version of the traditional 11-a-side game. Play typically occurs on a smaller field with reduced goal size and a compact playing area. Rosters usually include a goalkeeper plus seven outfield players, but exact composition and rules vary by league. Common features include shorter match durations and substitution rules that permit more frequent changes than in the full game. Depending on the competition, offside rules may be modified or not used at all. The style of play tends to emphasize space creation, quick passing, and rapid transitions.

In other contexts, 8on8 describes eight-on-eight modes in video games and esports. These formats influence map selection, class or role restrictions, and balance considerations. Rules and equipment requirements vary by title and tournament organizer.

See also: seven-a-side football; five-a-side football; eight-a-side formats in other sports.