How big should a youth football pitch be?
With the 2026/27 season bringing changes to the age-group formats under the FA’s FutureFit programme, it’s important to know how the recommended pitch and goal dimensions line up with each age group.
Here’s our simple guide to the recommended football pitch and goal sizes for the 2026/27 grassroots season.
U7 - Welcome to 3v3!
Format: 3v3
Pitch: approximately 15 × 10 metres
Goal: small-sided goals
For 2026/27, U7 becomes the new 3v3 entry format, with no goalkeepers or substitutes. The FA says the recommended playing area is 10 × 15m, and four 3v3 games can fit on a 5v5-sized pitch.
That means loads of touches, lots of decisions and plenty of chances to score.
U8 & U9 - 5v5
Format: 5v5
Pitch: around 37 × 27 metres
Goal: 6 × 12 ft
At U8, players move into 5v5, and U9 now stays in 5v5 too.
The FA’s existing recommended 5v5 pitch size is around 37 × 27m, with 6 × 12ft goals.
So, there are fewer players, plenty of space to dribble and hopefully plenty of goals.
U10 & U11 - 7v7
Format: 7v7
Pitch: around 55 × 37 metres
Goal: 6 × 12 ft
Now we’re getting serious.
U10 and U11 players play 7v7, giving them more players to combine with while keeping the pitch manageable.
The FA’s recommended 7v7 pitch is approximately 55 × 37m, with 6 × 12ft goals.
This is where passing, movement and positioning start becoming really important.
U12 & U13 - 9v9
Format: 9v9
Pitch: around 73 × 46 metres
Goal: 7 × 16 ft
Here’s another big change.
U13 football is now 9v9, rather than jumping straight into 11v11.
That means players get an extra year to develop their technical skills before dealing with the enormous tactical puzzle that is 11-a-side football.
The FA’s recommended 9v9 pitch is around 73 × 46m, with 7 × 16ft goals.
U14 - Hello, 11v11!
Format: 11v11
Pitch: around 82 × 50 metres
Goal: 7 × 21 ft
Under FutureFit, U14 is the first age group to play 11v11.
For older youth football, the FA’s recommended pitch dimensions increase with age:
U15–U16 - The Pitch Gets Bigger
Format: 11v11
Pitch: around 91 x 55 metres
Goal: 8 × 24 ft
By U15 and U16, players are getting much closer to the dimensions used in senior football.
U17–U18 - Nearly the Full Adult Game
Format: 11v11
Pitch: around 100 × 64 metres
Goal: 8 × 24 ft
By U17 and U18, players are playing on a pitch very close to the recommended adult dimensions.
The pitch is around 100 × 64m, with 8 × 24ft goals.
The game is faster; the spaces are bigger and there’s nowhere to hide if you’ve forgotten to track your runner!
Adult Football
Format: 11v11
Pitch: around 100 × 64 metres
Goal: 8 × 24 ft
And finally, the full-sized game.
The recommended pitch is around 100 × 64m, with 8 × 24ft goals.
Of course, adult pitches can vary in size depending on the competition, so you won’t necessarily find exactly the same dimensions at every ground.
Ready to Put It into Practice?
Now you know your pitch sizes, goal dimensions and age-group formats, why not take your team to the next level with a Sports Tours football tournament weekend?
From the bright lights of Blackpool to the beautiful pitches of West Sussex, there’s a tournament waiting for your team. Get the squad together, test yourselves against new opposition and make a weekend of it!
