> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.c3esports.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Checking In to a Match

> When the check-in window opens, how to check in, and what happens if your team misses it.

Check-in is how you signal to the platform and your opponent that your team is present and ready to play. **Both teams must check in** before a match can begin. If a team fails to check in by match time, they forfeit the match.

<Warning>
  Missing check-in = forfeit. There is no grace period after the match start time. If you are having an emergency, contact staff **before** the match time — not after.
</Warning>

***

## The check-in window

| Event | Time |
| - | - |
| Check-in window opens | **30 minutes** before scheduled match time |
| Check-in window closes | At the **scheduled match time** |

Example: if your match is at **8:00 PM ET**, check-in opens at **7:30 PM ET** and closes at **8:00 PM ET**. You must click check-in between 7:30 and 8:00.

***

## How to check in

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the match page">
    Find your upcoming match on your [dashboard](https://c3esports.com/dashboard) or at [c3esports.com/matches](https://c3esports.com/matches). The match card will show a countdown and a **Check In** button when the window is open.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/c3esportsleague/images/checking-in-button.png" alt="Match page with a Check In button and a countdown showing &#x22;28 minutes until match time&#x22;" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Check In">
    Click the **Check In** button. Your individual check-in is recorded.

    <Note>
      Multiple players from your team can check in. You do not need all players to check in — as long as at least one player from your team checks in, it counts for the whole team. However, it is good practice for all available players to check in so your team looks coordinated.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm your team's check-in status">
    After clicking, the match page shows your team's check-in as complete (green checkmark). You can also see whether the opposing team has checked in.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/c3esportsleague/images/checking-in-status.png" alt="Match page showing both teams' check-in status: &#x22;Team A: Checked In ✓&#x22; and &#x22;Team B: Waiting...&#x22;" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Set a reminder on your phone for 30 minutes before your match time. This is the exact moment the check-in window opens. Checking in early (as soon as the window opens) is a great habit — it signals to your opponent that you are ready and avoids last-minute scrambles.
</Tip>

***

## What counts as a team check-in

Your team is considered checked in if **any player on your roster** clicks the Check In button during the window. You do not need your manager specifically to check in — any roster member can do it.

That said, managers should still be online during check-in in case issues come up (opponent no-show, technical problems, etc.) because only managers can submit results or file disputes.

***

## If your team cannot check in

If you have an emergency and cannot check in before match time:

1. Contact staff **immediately** via a support ticket in the [C3 Esports Discord](https://discord.gg/c3esports).
2. Explain the situation clearly and provide a contact for your manager.
3. Staff may grant a short extension at their discretion — this is not guaranteed.

<Warning>
  "We forgot" and "we were running late" are not valid reasons for an extension. Staff only consider genuine emergencies (server outages, Discord down, etc.) on a case-by-case basis.
</Warning>

***

## Forfeit by no-show

If the opposing team does not check in by match time:

1. Both players on your team who are present should check in (to document your team was ready).
2. Wait until the scheduled match time passes.
3. Your manager clicks **Record Forfeit** on the match page to record the forfeit win.

If you are the team that missed check-in:

* The match is recorded as a 0-3 loss (forfeit).
* Your standings points are not affected beyond the normal loss (0 points), but your goal differential does not benefit from any games played.
* Repeated forfeits may result in removal from the season by staff. See [Check-In Policy](/rules/check-in-policy).

***

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Check In button is not showing on the match page">
    The button only appears during the check-in window (30 minutes before match time). If the window is open and you still do not see it, try refreshing the page. If it still does not appear, make sure you are logged in and that you are on the correct team's roster.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I checked in but my team still shows as 'not checked in'">
    Individual check-in and team check-in are the same thing — if you clicked the button and it confirmed, your team is checked in. The status may take a few seconds to refresh. Hard-refresh the page (Ctrl+Shift+R) to see the updated status.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Both teams checked in — what do we do now?">
    The match is live! Create the lobby in Rocket League, follow the [Match Rules](/rules/match-rules) for host duties and game settings, and start playing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The opposing team checked in but then disappeared from the lobby">
    Check in counts as confirmation of availability — it does not guarantee they will be in the lobby. If the opposing team does not show up to the lobby within **10 minutes** of match time, contact staff and document that you were present and ready.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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