Northern Super League Media Guidelines 

Event Media Guidelines

To be considered for media accreditation, applicants must provide proof of affiliation with a reputable media outlet, including a verifiable assignment letter or recent, relevant bylines.

A reputable media outlet is defined as an established organization with a demonstrated track record of regular, original news coverage, editorial oversight, and a substantial audience reach, whether local, national, or international.

Media credentials and sideline bibs will be granted only to individuals with a legitimate working function at a match, training session, or league-sanctioned event. Credentials are non-transferable and may not be shared, resold, or used for personal purposes. Unauthorized use of credentials is grounds for removal from the venue and permanent revocation.
 

Sideline Access & Positioning Guidelines

Only essential broadcast crew and a limited number of league- or club-approved content staff are permitted field-level access to ensure safety and maintain a clear working environment. All other media must remain in designated media zones.

Authorized Sideline Access

The following individuals are permitted sideline access during matches:

  • Broadcast crew (including sideline reporters and essential support staff such as cable pullers)
  • Photographers and videographers hired by the league or clubs
  • Social media leads (e.g., one club social lead and one League Content Contributor)

Access is limited to a maximum of

  • 2 social media leads
  • 2 photographers/videographers

General Positioning & Conduct Rules

  • All field-level personnel must wear a visible media bib. Broadcast crew will wear distinct bibs to differentiate them from club/league content staff.
  • No personnel may enter or position themselves within the technical area.
  • Handheld broadcast cameras may position and reposition between 3 to 6 feet from the touchline but must not obstruct or interfere with players' ability to play.
  • No movement between ends of the field is allowed during play; repositioning is only permitted at halftime unless otherwise approved. If the designated photo zones are located off the field and behind a fence, movement between ends is allowed, provided it does not interfere with play.
  • No access or movement is permitted on the bench side of the field. Circulation between touchlines must happen through the opposite side.
  • All other media must remain in designated media zones, located at least 6 feet from the touchline and outside the technical area. Minimal exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the club’s communications lead.

Oversight

Access and positioning will be managed on-site by the match delegate and the club’s communications lead.

Field Access & Positioning Overview

Each stadium used for NSL matches has a designated media zone map outlining where broadcast and media personnel may operate. All accredited media and broadcast crew must consult the specific stadium map before arrival to confirm approved positions and restricted areas.

Key Guidelines

  • All pitchside equipment—including cameras, microphones, and media personnel—must be positioned in a way that does not obstruct play or pose a safety risk to players, coaches, or match officials.
  • Camera positions must comply with minimum distance requirements: 3 metres from the sidelines and 5 metres behind the goals, unless otherwise approved by the League due to permanent stadium features.
  • Tripods are not permitted at the field level; only monopods may be used.
  • Photographer access is limited to the C-shaped zone spanning from the edge of one 18-yard box, behind the goal, to the opposite 18-yard box.
  • No access is permitted on the bench side of the field or within technical areas during match play.
  • All field-level positions are subject to approval by the match delegate and the club’s communications lead.

Please refer to the stadium-specific layout for each match to ensure compliance.

 

 

Media Seating and Work Areas

  • Accredited media must have access to designated stadium seating, press boxes, and workspaces.
  • Press boxes must:
    • Accommodate a minimum of 10 working media,
    • Offer power outlets and high-speed internet so that stats at NSL.ca may be accessed during and after the match.,
    • Provide separate areas for broadcast and print media.
    • Include weather protection, where applicable.
  • Additional working media, observers, or referees must be accommodated in overflow seating.
  • Player agents, VIPs, or non-working guests must not be seated in press areas.

Traveling Media

  • Home teams must provide press seating for visiting team media.
  • Visiting media must apply for accreditation through the host club’s system for the match they plan to attend.
  • For assistance, traveling media should contact the communications lead of the team they cover.

The following actions may result in ejection and/or credential seizure:

  • Requesting autographs
  • Taking photos with players or coaches
  • Using credentials for friends, family, or guests
  • Conducting unauthorized interviews
  • Unprofessional behavior (e.g., cheering in the press box, consuming alcohol, or disregarding venue rules)
  • Posting photos of media credentials on social media
  • Stepping onto the field at any point during the match, including warm-ups, the anthem, or the conclusion of the match, without express permission from the club media relations representative.

Media & Broadcast Talent Access at Training

  • Clubs may designate one (1) training session per week as fully open to the media. For all other sessions, a minimum 15-minute open window must be provided.
  • Coaches and select players must be made available for interviews following training during the designated access period.
  • Clubs must make every effort to honor reasonable media requests during these windows.
  • All media requests should be directed to the communications lead at each club.
  • Failure to accommodate requests may result in fines.

Matchday -1 and -2 Media Access

  • Clubs must provide pre-match press availability on Matchday -1 or -2, featuring the head coach and one to two players.
  • Additional interview requests should be accommodated where possible.
  • All media requests should be directed to the communications lead at each club.
  • Lack of compliance may result in disciplinary action.

Post-Match Media Access

  • All players must be available for post-match interviews upon request.
  • Clubs are to designate interview spaces within the venue. Locker room access is not permitted.
  • Each team must make two players and the head coach available in a press conference setting.
  • Home teams must provide in-person access to media.
  • Visiting teams may opt for virtual press conferences if travel prohibits in-person,  but are encouraged to accommodate in-person interviews.
  • Players should be available 10 minutes post-match, and head coaches approximately 20 minutes post-match.
  • Club PR staff must manage and communicate which players will be available to the media before the end of the match.
  • All post-match access procedures must be clearly communicated to the media, security, and staff.
  • All media requests should be directed to the communications lead at each club.

Video Access and Footage Rights

  • All match footage is the property of the NSL and its official broadcast rights holders.
  • No individual or organization may record or distribute match footage without written permission from the NSL Communications Office (media@nsl.ca).

Television Broadcasters (Non-Rights Holders)

  • May use up to two minutes of footage for news programming within one week of the match.
  • May record the first 15 minutes of each half of televised or streamed matches strictly for use in editorial storytelling or match coverage. This footage may not be streamed or posted in full on any social or digital platform.

Online Video & Usage

  • Match action may not be filmed or posted online without NSL approval.
  • Non-match content (training, interviews) is limited to eight (8) minutes of video per day.
  • All online videos must be professional in quality and must include links to NSL official platforms.
  • Embedded advertising and monetization of NSL-related video content is prohibited.

Media Inquiries and Contact Information

For use of official NSL match footage, interviews with league management, or other broadcast-related inquiries, please contact the NSL Communications Office at media@nsl.ca.

National media and broadcast partner media must apply for accreditation directly with the clubs to ensure clubs retain full oversight of who is present in their stadiums and are actively managing on-site access.

For all other media requests — including interview availability with players, coaches, and club personnel, as well as credentials — please contact the communications lead:

Chris Dornan

Calgary Wild FC

T: 403-620-8731

E-mail: ChrisDornan@calgarywildfc.com