Water Polo (World Aquatics) — Official Rules

Water polo is a team ball sport played in water between two teams, each fielding seven players at a time — usually six field players and one goalkeeper. Players move by swimming and may handle the ball with only one hand at a time (the goalkeeper may use both hands within the 6 Metre Area). The objective is to throw the ball into the opponents' goal while preventing them from doing the same. The team that scores more goals by the end of the match wins.

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes fully over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar (the goal line is formed by the front face of the posts). Each goal counts as one (1) point, however it is scored — from open play, a counter-attack, a free-throw shot where permitted, or a penalty throw. A goal may be scored by throwing the ball with one hand or by dribbling it across the line, and it may be scored from anywhere in the field of play, subject to the rules on putting the ball into play.

At World Aquatics events every match must have a winner and a loser at full time. The team that has scored the most goals at the end of the fourth period wins. If the teams are level at the end of the fourth period, the match goes directly to a penalty shootout (there is no extra time / overtime) conducted under Appendix 3. Note that under the official rules a draw is not recorded as the final outcome of a knockout match.

Since the 2025 rule changes the field of play is standardised at 25.00 metres long by 20.00 metres wide for both men's and women's matches (the length is the distance between the inner edges of the two goal lines; it was previously 30 m for men). The water depth must be at least 2.00 metres at every point, the water temperature 25–27 °C, and the light intensity at least 600 lux. A Flying Substitution Area at least 0.5 m wide runs along the side of the field next to the team benches.

Distinctive markers and coloured lane ropes denote the key lines, measured from each goal line:

• Goal line (white) — the boundary at each end where the goals stand.
• 2 Metre Line (red) — marks the Goal Area; an attacker may not be inside it without the ball unless behind the line of the ball.
• 5 Metre Line (red) — the point from which a penalty throw is taken, and the reference for free-throw shooting restrictions.
• 6 Metre Line (yellow) — bounds the 6 Metre Area, the main defensive zone near goal.
• Halfway Line (white) — divides the field into two equal halves. The side ropes are coloured red (goal line to 2 m), yellow (2 m to 6 m) and green (6 m to halfway).

The Goal Area is the rectangle at each end between the goal line and the 2 Metre Line, extending 2 m beyond each post (about 7.16 m wide). The 6 Metre Area lies between the goal line and the 6 Metre Line and is where many fouls become penalty fouls. The Exclusion Re-Entry Area is located behind each goal line on the bench side, 2.0 m wide and about 1.0–1.1 m long; an excluded player must go to the re-entry area nearest their own goal line and may re-enter only from there (except after a goal, between periods or during a timeout).

A goal stands in the centre of each goal line. The inner sides of the goal posts are 3.0 metres apart, and the underside of the crossbar is 0.90 metres above the water surface (where the water is at least 1.5 m deep; otherwise 2.40 m above the pool floor). Posts and crossbar are rigid, rectangular with a width/height of 75–80 mm facing the field, and painted white. Limp nets enclose the goal, leaving at least 0.30 m of clear space behind the goal line.

The ball is round, waterproof and has a self-closing valve, with no external strapping or greasy covering. It weighs between 400 and 450 grams. For men's matches the circumference is 0.68–0.71 m; for women's matches it is 0.65–0.67 m. The ball pressure is in the range 6.5–8.5 psi as specified for each category. The ball quality is checked before play.

Every player wears a numbered cap fitted with malleable ear protectors. The two teams wear contrasting colours (commonly white and blue), neither of which may be solid red, and both must contrast with the colour of the ball. Goalkeepers wear red caps, because the red cap is what entitles a player to the goalkeeper's privileges; if a field player must take over in goal, that player must change into a red cap. Caps are fastened under the chin and worn for the whole game.

At World Aquatics events each team's start list includes a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 14 players: up to 12 field players and one or two goalkeepers (a team needs at least one goalkeeper, but even with one the field-player limit stays at 12). A team starts the match with seven players, one of whom is a goalkeeper. After the start, a team is not obliged to keep a goalkeeper in the water and may play with seven field players. The minimum number of players is two; a team falling below two forfeits the match.

Substitutions are unlimited. A substitute may enter freely from any place between periods, after a goal, during a timeout, or to replace a bleeding/injured player. During open play, players are changed through the team's Exclusion Re-Entry Area (the substitute enters once the outgoing player has visibly surfaced there) or by flying substitution at the side of the field, where both players are outside the field, in the water, and touch hands above the surface before the substitute enters.

Within the 6 Metre Area the goalkeeper may touch the ball with two hands, strike it with a clenched fist and stand on the bottom — privileges no field player has. A goalkeeper designated on the start list must play only as a goalkeeper for the match, and a player who takes over in goal must wear a red cap. A field player may play as a goalkeeper only when the team has too few eligible field players. The cap-change for a replacement goalkeeper must be done at the bench.

A match consists of four periods, each of eight (8) minutes of actual play. Actual play starts when a player first touches the ball at the beginning of a period; the clock is stopped at every stoppage (e.g. a foul or VAR review) and restarts when the ball is put back into play. The intervals are two minutes between the first and second periods, five minutes between the second and third periods (extended from three minutes in 2025), and two minutes between the third and fourth periods. Teams change ends at half-time (before the third period).

A team may keep possession without shooting at the opponents' goal for a maximum of 28 seconds of actual play (extended from 25 seconds in 2025). The possession clock is reset to 28 seconds when the defending team gains the ball, after a goal throw or neutral throw, or after a penalty awarded with a change of possession. It is reset to 18 seconds (up from 15 in 2025) for a second possession — for example after a shot rebounds to the attacking team, a corner throw, or a penalty throw without a change of possession. A team that exceeds its possession time commits a violation and loses the ball.

Each team may request up to two (2) timeouts per match, each lasting one minute. A timeout may be requested at any time, including after a goal, but not during a VAR review, and only by the coach of the team in possession of the ball (a team is in possession when one of its players is holding or swimming with the ball). On a valid request the game is stopped immediately, players return to their own halves, and play restarts on or behind the halfway line. The request may be signalled by the hands forming a 'T' or by an authorised electronic device.

If the coach of the team in possession requests a timeout it is not entitled to, the game is stopped and the opposing team restarts with the ball at the halfway line. If the coach of the team not in possession requests a timeout, this is a penalty foul: the game is stopped and a penalty throw is awarded to the opposing team, and the offending coach also loses the right to request a legal timeout for the rest of the match.

At the start of each period the players line up on their own goal lines, about one metre apart and at least one metre from the goal posts, with no part of the body beyond the line. No more than two players may be between the goal posts. When the teams are ready, a referee blows the whistle and releases or throws the ball onto the halfway line; the players then swim up to contest it. The first team listed wears the lighter caps and starts to the left of the official table.

After a goal is scored, the players take up positions anywhere within their own halves, with no part of the body beyond the halfway line at water level. The referee restarts play and the team that conceded the goal puts the ball into play from within its own half. A team may make substitutions freely immediately after a goal.

An ordinary foul is the least serious infringement and is punished by a free throw to the opposing team taken at the place where the ball was. Ordinary fouls include: taking or holding the ball under the water when tackled; touching the ball with two hands (except the goalkeeper in the 6 Metre Area); striking the ball with a clenched fist (except the goalkeeper in the 6 Metre Area); pushing off an opponent; impeding an opponent who is not holding the ball outside the goal area; and exceeding the possession time. Play flows on without a stoppage of the clock for the free throw.

A free throw is taken at the location of the ball without delay by the player nearest to it, who may then dribble, pass or — where permitted — shoot. If the foul by a defender occurs inside the goal area, the throw is taken on the 2 Metre Line. The defending player who committed the foul must move at least 1 metre away before raising an arm to block a pass or shot. A free throw taken from behind the offensive 5 Metre Line may be a direct shot at goal under the rules.

An exclusion foul is a more serious infringement punished by a free throw to the opponents and the temporary exclusion (sin-bin) of the offending player. Typical exclusion fouls include holding, sinking or pulling back an opponent not holding the ball; using two hands to hold an opponent; kicking or striking without violence; a tactical foul to stop an attack; splashing water in an opponent's face; and interfering with the taking of a throw. The excluded player must leave the field at any point (without leaving the water) and swim to the re-entry area nearest their own goal line.

The excluded player (or a substitute) may re-enter from the re-entry area nearest their own goal line at the earliest of: (a) 18 seconds of actual play having elapsed since the foul (the secretary signals with a flag or device); (b) a goal being scored (re-entry then from any place); (c) the excluded player's team regaining possession of the ball during play; or (d) the team being awarded a free throw, goal throw or penalty throw. While excluded, the team plays a player short (a 'man-up' for the opponents). Note: before the 2024–25 changes this period was described as 20 seconds; the current rule keys re-entry to 18 seconds of actual play.

A penalty foul is punished by a penalty throw to the opposing team. It is awarded when a defending player commits, within the 6 Metre Area, a foul that probably prevents a goal; when a defender pulls down or displaces the goal; when a defender inside the 6 Metre Area blocks a pass or shot with two hands or plays the ball with a clenched fist or takes it under water when tackled; when a defender impedes from behind an attacker facing the goal in a shooting action; when an ineligible player enters the field; or when the coach of the team not in possession requests a timeout. The referee may delay the whistle to let a probable goal stand instead.

The penalty throw is taken by any player of the awarded team from any point on the opponents' 5 Metre Line, with the thrower's head not beyond that line. All other players clear the 6 Metre Area and stay at least 3 metres from the thrower; one defender on each side may take position on the 6 Metre Line. The goalkeeper stays between the posts, no part of the body beyond the goal line. On the referee's whistle the player must throw the ball immediately, in one uninterrupted forward movement, directly at the goal. A rebound off the post, crossbar or goalkeeper stays in play.

Misconduct — including unacceptable language, disrespect or disobedience to officials, aggressive play, or behaviour bringing the game into disrepute — results in the player being shown a Red Card and excluded for the remainder of the match and ordered from the competition area. A substitute may enter at the earliest re-entry occurrence (or immediately if the misconduct happened during a stoppage). The referee may first show a Yellow Card as a warning to the head coach; a subsequent offence brings a Red Card.

Violent action — kicking, striking, or attempting to kick or strike an opponent or official with malicious intent, whether in play, at a stoppage or between periods — is the most serious foul. The offending player is excluded for the remainder of the match and must leave the competition area, a penalty throw is awarded to the opposing team (if it occurred during play), and the team plays a player short until a substitute may enter after four (4) minutes of actual play. If violent actions are called on opposing players simultaneously, both are excluded for the match and a penalty throw sequence applies.

A personal foul is recorded against any player who commits an exclusion foul or a penalty foul. Upon a player's third personal foul, that player is excluded from the remainder of the match, with a substitute permitted at the earliest re-entry occurrence (immediately if the third personal foul is a penalty foul). Unlike some earlier editions, a player who has committed a third personal foul is no longer required to occupy a designated bench area.

At World Aquatics events a match is controlled by two referees of equal authority, supported by two assistant referees, timekeepers and secretaries, and two video assistant referees. The referees are in absolute control of the game, may award or refrain from awarding fouls to keep the advantage with the attacking team, may order players or spectators from the venue, and may suspend or abandon the match. One timekeeper records actual play, timeouts and intervals; another records each team's continuous possession time.

Where available, the VAR assists the referees in reviewing specific situations under the VAR protocol — for example whether a goal was valid, the ball crossing a boundary line, the correct identity or punishment of an offender, interference with a penalty throw, and whether a violent action occurred. The referee remains visible throughout a VAR review, and players must stay in their own halves. Decisions to use, or not to use, VAR for a given incident are not themselves open to dispute.

Each coach is entitled to one (1) Coach's Challenge per match, and a second challenge if the first is successful. A challenge may contest a referee's perceived failure to call a violent action or a penalty foul, an incorrect penalty foul, or a defined field-of-play situation not already reviewed by VAR (e.g. a goal/no-goal, corner or goal throw, penalty interference, an improper entry, or a jury-table error). The coach signals by throwing the designated green flag into the field and making the VAR 'square' hand signal; the referees then have a maximum of two (2) minutes to review the footage and decide. A challenge cannot be made on a decision the referee already reviewed with VAR; a disallowed or unsuccessful challenge can be sanctioned by a penalty foul or a card.

If the teams are tied at the end of the fourth period, the match is decided by a penalty shootout (Appendix 3). After a three-minute break, five (5) players from each team remain on the field and take five penalty throws each, alternately, from the 5 Metre Line, defended only by the goalkeeper (a coin toss decides which team shoots first). The goalkeeper may be one of the shooters. The team that scores more of its five throws wins.

If the teams are still level after each has taken its initial five penalty throws, the same five players then take alternate sudden-death throws until one team scores and the other misses in the same round, deciding the winner. This is a change from the earlier three-player format: the current edition uses a five-player shootout.

The major changes that came into force in 2025 for all World Aquatics water polo are:

• Shortened field: standardised to 25 m long (it was 30 m for men) by 20 m wide, for men and women alike.
• Possession clock: main possession extended from 25 to 28 seconds, and the second possession (after a rebound or certain restarts) from 15 to 18 seconds.
• Half-time break: the interval between the second and third periods extended from 3 to 5 minutes.
• Squad of 14: start lists of up to 14 players (12 field + 2 goalkeepers), with field players able to take over in goal under defined conditions.
• Third personal foul: the player no longer has to sit in a designated bench area.
• Coach's Challenge: formalised with a green-flag/VAR-square signal and a 2-minute referee review limit.

The February 2026 edition of the Competition Regulations (Part Six) consolidates and restructures the water polo rules. Among its notable provisions, the penalty shootout now uses five (5) players taking five throws each (changed from the earlier three-player shootout), and the field-of-play markings explicitly define both a 5 Metre Line (penalty-throw point) and a 6 Metre Line (the defensive area boundary). The 2025 changes to field size, possession times and the half-time break remain in force.