In 1976, instead of playing a full indoor schedule (and despite the hopes of
Tampa Bay owner
George Strawbridge, Jr.), the
North American Soccer League opted to stage a two-tiered indoor tournament for the second consecutive year. Of the league's 20 teams, 12 participated in three regions, which was down from 16 in four regions in the previous year's tournament. The regional winners along with the "best" second-place team would advance to the final four in
St. Petersburg, Florida. While the goals remained 4 × 16, the games would be shortened to three 15-minute periods, instead of the 20-minute frames played the previous year. The tournament also saw the first-ever indoor overtime and penalty shootout, as Miami and Boston played to a 6–6 draw in the opening match. After 45 minutes of regulation time and two 5-minute
golden goal extra sessions, the match was ultimately decided by spot kicks. Playing in their home arena, the
Bayfront Center, the
Tampa Bay Rowdies defeated the
Rochester Lancers 6–4 in the Championship Final.
Juli Veee of San Jose scored eight goals to lead the tournament, while
Clyde Best of Tampa Bay earned the MVP honors. ==Map of clubs==