APL Rules Background — 2026–2027 Season

Safety is the foremost priority of the staff and directors of Ashburton Paintball. The APL Rules have been established with this commitment in mind, and every APL event is conducted with the protection of participants, officials and spectators as a primary consideration.

This background statement applies to the APL Rules for the 2026–2027 season and should be read together with the complete rulebook published for that season.

The APL Paintball Series rules use the National X-Ball League (NXL) rules as the principal framework for competition, providing players, teams and officials with a recognised and consistent standard for safety, equipment, game procedures, officiating, scoring, penalties and conduct. Selected NXL provisions have been amended, omitted or supplemented to suit the APL’s three-player, limited-paint format, local field and event requirements, series structure, match timing, roster limits, scoring system and New Zealand operating conditions. The New Zealand Paintball Federation (NZPF) has reviewed and approved this rule set. Where an APL provision differs from the NXL Rules, the APL provision applies at APL events. Matters not specifically addressed by the APL Rules may be determined by reference to the adopted NXL framework, applicable NZPF requirements and the decision of the authorised APL officials.

APL may amend or clarify the APL Rules during the season where required for safety, legal compliance, fair competition or event operations. Any material amendment or clarification will be communicated to registered teams and published in the current rule set before it takes effect, unless an immediate change is required to address a safety or legal issue.

Compliance with the APL Rules does not replace any obligation under the Arms Act 1983, including applicable amendments and regulations, or any other applicable New Zealand legal requirement. The Arms Act 1983 is available at: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1983/44/en/latest.pdf

All players, team representatives, coaches and support personnel are responsible for reading, understanding and complying with the current APL Rules before participating in an event. Entry or participation does not remove that responsibility.

Before participating in their first APL event of the 2026–2027 season, each participant must complete the required waiver using the link provided below. Once completed, the waiver remains valid for that participant for the remainder of the season. Completing the waiver does not replace the participant’s responsibility to read, understand and comply with the current APL Rules and all instructions issued by event officials.

The version of the APL Rules currently published at the download link is the controlling version for the 2026–2027 season. If a previously downloaded or printed copy differs from the published version, the published version will apply.

The current APL Rules for the 2026–2027 season are available to download using the rules link provided below. Participants should check the published version before each event to ensure they are using the current rule set.