Oozefest

Interested in playing? Here's what you can expect for registration.

• Team size: Minimum 6 people, maximum 8 people
• Registration cost: The registration cost for the 2025 tournament was $195.00 per team payable online with a credit card (registration fees pay for set up, clean up, support services, tents, food, drinks, and supplies)
• Each player receives: At least two games of tournament play, snacks, lunch, and a t-shirt. Prior to the event, you will be sent a presentation with important information about Oozefest as well as the tournament rules. Every member of the team will be required to attest to their understanding of Oozefest rules. At that same time, every registrant will be sent a waiver to complete. If the attestation and waiver are not completed, you cannot play!
• Optional costume contest: Take your Oozefest experience to the next level by participating in the costume contest! The team with the best costume will win FREE registration for next year’s Oozefest Tournament!

Want to play but don't have a team? Sign up as a free agent! Student Engagement will match free agents to new teams or teams that are looking for more players to complete their team. 

Once Free Agents have been matched to a team, that team will be responsible for working with team members to register to play in Oozefest and pay the registration fee.

• Sunblock. Even if it the forecast does not call for sun, it is highly recommended that you wear sunblock. Put sunblock on your eyelids, the tips of your ears, the back of your neck, and anywhere else that isn’t covered with mud. 
• Sunglasses or protective eyewear – Sunglasses or protective eyewear will help keep the mud out of your eyes.
• Two layers of clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined. Some teams wear a layer of dry clothes, then layer themselves entirely with garbage bags as their second layer. Others wear a layer of “walk away” clothes, followed by a layer of garbage bags over their entire body, followed by a costume. When they are done, they tear off the top layers, toss them into the dumpster, and walk away dry and without much mud on them. The mud is watery and cold. Please dress appropriately. 
• Duct tape. We recommend duct-taping your pants and shoes in place — unless you want your pants and shoes to come off during the game.
• Plastic bags or garbage can liners. Line your shoes with layers of plastic bags or garbage can liners and then duct tape over them if you want any chance of keeping your feet dry. 
• Shoes and socks you don’t mind throwing out. Shoes must be worn at all times in the mud pits. This is for your own safety (you don’t know what’s in the mud pit). Just remember that you may want to throw out the socks and shoes at the end (or save them for next year’s Oozefest). 
• Dress for the Weather – As Oozefest is an all-weather event, dress appropriately for the conditions. Please note you will be exposed to the weather conditions for an extended period of time.
  

• Leave valuables at home. Please bring as little with you as possible. We have no place to keep backpacks, wallets, cameras, or other personal belongings. Lock items in your car to avoid any risk. If you must bring your keys, enclose them in duct tape and stick them to a safe part of your body where you know they won’t fall off in the mud. 
• Garbage can liners. Use them to put your dirty (or clean) clothes in to take home with you.
• Duct Tape. For taping your clothing and shoes in place. Trust us on this one! 
  

• Park in the Lake LaSalle Lot. The Lake LaSalle lot is behind the Center for the Arts and Alumni Arena. If that lot is full, use the Alumni B parking lot. If you live on campus, consider walking to the mud pits. Parking is free for Oozefest participants!
• Bring garbage can liners for your car. Put them on your car seats to keep your car clean after the games.
• Avoid Frontier Road. Frontier Road will be closed to cars for Oozefest. Pedestrians are welcome to walk that way as long as the fire department is not hosing down the field at that time.

• Oozefest is Drug and Alcohol-Free Event.  University Police are on patrol all day at Oozefest and we will disqualify you and your team is under the influence.
• Keep the bike path clear. The bike path is the property of the Town of Amherst (Not UB). Please be respectful of their property and stay off it to avoid interfering with bicyclists and pedestrians. 
• Don’t swim in Lake LaSalle. Swimming is not permitted in Lake LaSalle.

• Please check in no less than 30 minutes prior to your first scheduled game at the Oozefest Mud Pit, which is located where Frontier Road and St. Rita's Lane meet. Oozefest ends around 4 p.m., when the last teams play for the championship.
• The tournament format is double-elimination; once a team loses twice they are done. When the first game is lost, the losing team must refer to the bracket boards in the Tournament Tent to determine the time of the next game in the loser bracket. The winning team advances and must also refer to the bracket boards in order to determine the time of their next game.
• Teams consist of six to eight players. Teams are permitted to play with less than six players, if necessary but never more than eight. All games are 15 minutes in length or once 21 points are scored by one team (whichever comes first). There is a five-minute transition period between each game.
• Team captains or designee will square off in a single-elimination rock-paper-scissors match where the winner determines service or side. Scoring is awarded on a rally point system, meaning any team can score a point no matter who is serving. Each team must rotate clockwise following the opponent's loss of serve. Teams have a maximum of three hits to get the volleyball over the net.
• Teams must switch sides at eleven points (per one team).
• Teams forfeit if they are five minutes late, and the opposing team receives a win by default and advances to the next round.
• If a serve hits the net and goes over without assistance, the serve is considered in play (“let rule”).
• In the event of a tie after 15 minutes, sudden death play will come into effect. Another single-elimination rock-paper-scissors match by the team captains or their designees will determine which team will serve or receive.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Players without shoes will be ordered off the court and not permitted to play until they are wearing shoes. No cleats or open-toed shoes will be permitted.
• No carrying, no double hitting, and no spiking. Spiking shall result in disqualification.
• The referees are always right. Teams that do not cooperate will be disqualified.
• The Oozefest Committee reserves the right to adjust the tournament format in the event of extenuating circumstances.

• Keep UB clean. Please do not drop your muddy items or garbage on the ground or leave them in the parking lots or by the showers. We have garbage cans and dumpsters everywhere. 
• Use the outdoor showers. Please hose off your first layer of mud as best you can at the hot outdoor showers next to Alumni Arena. Please do not use the Alumni Arena indoor showers—they are closed to everyone (even athletes).