# Law 20: Game Lost by Forfeit (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 20: Game Lost by Forfeit · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-20-game-lost-by-forfeit/)

When a team forfeits, the 20-0 score and 0 classification points, and forfeits in series and tournaments.

## 20.201 Forfeiting a Game

The three causes of a forfeit, the score and the classification points.

### Test 1: When a game is forfeited

- A team that refuses to play after being instructed to do so by the crew chief loses by forfeit. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)
- A team whose actions prevent the game from being played loses by forfeit. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)
- The game is awarded to the opponents and the score is 20 to 0. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.1)
- The forfeiting team receives 0 classification points. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.1)
- A team loses by forfeit if it is not present, or cannot field 5 players ready to play, 15 minutes after the scheduled start. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)
- A forfeiting team gets 0 classification points; a defaulting team gets 1. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.1, 21.2.1)
- The refusal that counts is a refusal after being instructed to play by the crew chief. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)
- After 15 minutes without 5 ready players, the game is forfeited 20-0. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1, 20.2.1)
- A refusal after the crew chief's instruction is a forfeit. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)
- The limit is 15 minutes after the scheduled start: A and B are within it, C is the first moment past it. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.1)

## 20.202 Forfeits in Series and Tournaments

Aggregate series, play-offs, and a second forfeit in a tournament.

### Test 1: Series and tournaments

- In a two-game total points series, a forfeit in either game loses the series. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)
- In a best-of-3 play-off, a forfeit in the first, second or third game loses the play-off. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)
- The lose-the-series rule does not apply to best-of-5 and best-of-7 play-offs. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)
- A second forfeit in a tournament disqualifies the team, and the results of all its games are nullified. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.3)
- It is the second forfeit that disqualifies the team. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.3)
- A first forfeit loses that game; disqualification comes with the second. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.3)
- The rule covers two-game aggregate series and best-of-3 play-offs, not best of 5 or best of 7. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)
- Two forfeits end a team's tournament and wipe its results. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.1, 20.2.3)
- 2, 3, 5 and 7 games at most. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)
- In best-of-5 and best-of-7 play-offs a forfeit costs only that game; in the others it loses the series. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 20.2.2)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 20 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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