How long is a football field? The football pitch is an integral part of the sport. Playing on a pitch can not only mean the difference between winning and losing or between enjoyment and frustration, but it can even mean the difference between playing and not playing, depending on where you sit within the football hierarchy.

Depending on the type of football you play, a pitch’s size will vary. A pitch does not have to be the same size for all types of football. No matter your position at the club – whether you are a player, coach, groundsman or chairman – it is important to understand the dimensions of a football pitch.

How long is a football field? 

How big is a 5-a-side football pitch? 

The FA recommends that the size of a 5-a-side pitch is 40 yards (36.5m) long and 30 yards (27.5m) wide. As a result of these measurements, its rectangular shape will remain intact, and the length will always exceed the breadth by a ratio of 2:1.

Its curving penalty area is one of the most distinctive features of a football pitch designed for five-a-side games. There are different layouts for these boxes than in traditional 11-a-side pitch layouts.

The penalty area must be 6.5 yards (6m) from the center of the goal line, regardless of the pitch’s size. Goals for 5-a-side matches should be 3 yards (3.66m) wide and 1.33 yards (1.22m) high.

5 vs. 5 games can be played with or without a center circle or halfway line as the two markings have no direct bearing. When penalty spots are used, their radius must be one yard (1m), while the goalkeeper’s area must be measured from the center of the goal, creating a semicircle with a radius of 8.2 yards (7.5m). For all markings, the line width should be approximately 5cm (1.97”).

A size 1 mini football is appropriate for people of all ages and is primarily used for recreational purposes. They can therefore be used on any of the pitches listed in this guide.

Small-sided games, i.e., 4 vs. 4 and 5 vs. 5, are likely to involve 8 vs. 8 or 10 vs. 10 midi footballs. They are suitable for children between 3-6 years old.

How big is a 7-a-side football pitch?

It is recommended by the FA that a 7aside football pitch measures 60 yards (54.86m) long and 40 yards (36.5m) wide. Teams consisting of seven players each have rectangular penalty areas measuring 18 yards (16.5m) wide and 9 yards (9m) from the goal line, as opposed to five-a-side games.

Penalty arcs, or “D’s” as they’re more commonly known, are also an option at this level. If used, the arcs are positioned at the edge of the penalty area, with their curve facing away from the goal.

Similar to 5-a-side, a center circle is optional. Penalty spots are necessary, however, and should be placed exactly 8 yards from the goal line.

The size 3 football is ideal for children between the ages of 6-9, which is the age group most commonly associated with starting the sport. Typically, these children play 7-a-side matches in order to become accustomed to the intensity and physical demands of the game.

How big is a 9-a-side football pitch?

It has a length of 80 yards (73.1m) by a width of 50 yards (45.72m) and consists of 9e a-side football fields. FA-recommended measurements are used by U-11 and U-12 teams.

For this pitch size, the center circle should have a radius of 7 yards (6.4m), with the center mark in the middle of the field. Both sides of the pitch should have a penalty spot 9 yards (8.2m) from the goal line. An arc should be drawn from the penalty spot at a distance of 7 yards (6.4m).

From the center of the goalpost, the penalty area should measure 13 yards (11.88m) by 32 yards (29.26m). The goal area should be 4 yards (3.65m) from the center of the goalpost and 14 yards (12.80m) wide. The corners should have a radius of 1 yard (1m).

We will have 7-foot-high goalposts separated by 16 feet. Posts and crossbars should not exceed a width of 12cm (5 inches). All markings have a maximum line width of 12cm (5″). The exact width marks the goal line as the goalposts.

Size 4 footballs are designed for use from 9-14 years old, who primarily plays at a 9-a-side level of soccer. For children who are making their final steps towards becoming adults, this is both an appropriate pitch size and football size.

How big is an 11-a-side football pitch?

It is not straightforward to determine the size of an 11-a-side football pitch. Pitch measurements can vary considerably – more than any other type of football pitch – depending on a variety of factors.

As per FA regulations, the dimensions must range from 100 to 130 yards (90 to 120 meters) long and 50 to 100 yards (45 to 90 meters). This gives users the flexibility to choose a specific size that suits them, which is more commonly the case in the professional tiers of the game.

To use an 11-a-side football pitch, the FA suggests the following pitch sizes for specific age groups:

• Under-13s and under-14s – 90 yards (82.2m) x 55 yards (50.2m)
• 100 yards (91.4m) x 60 yards (54.8m) for U-15 and U-16
• A National League System competition for 18+ players and adult football clubs – 110 yards (100.5 m) x 70 yards (64 m).

Regardless of the pitch size, the penalty area should measure 18 yards (16.45m) from the centre of the goal line, and the penalty spot should be 12 yards (10.9m) from the goal.

All other markings, including the centre circle, penalty arcs, and corner arcs, are the same size as a 9-a-side field. Goalpost height should be eight feet (2.44m) and width must be eight yards (7.32m).

Wembley Stadium’s pitch, for instance, is 115 yards long by 75 yards wide, a bit narrower than the old Wembley Stadium. According to UEFA stadium categories, these figures correspond to those required for a Category Four stadium, which is the top category.

A standard-size football pitch is roughly 2 acres in size, which is about 64,000 square feet. The exact size depends on the exact dimensions.

FIFA has its pitch dimensions, which differ slightly from those of the FA’s recommendations. For example, a four-a-side pitch is said to have a minimum length of 13 yards (12m) by a width of 21 yards (19.2m) and a maximum length of 16 yards (14.63m) by a width of 27 yards (24.6m).

For 5-a-side, the minimum dimensions are 20m (21.87 yards) long by 30m (32.80 yards). Maximum dimensions are 25 m (27.34 yards) long by 35 m (38.27 yards).

For 7 vs. 7, the minimum pitch length is 30m (32.80 yards) by 45m (49.21 yards). During this level, a pitch can have a maximum length of 35m and a maximum width of 50m.

For 9 vs. 9 matches, the pitch needs to be at least 45m (49.21 yards) long and 60m (65.61 yards) wide. An ideal pitch size for a 9-a-side game is 50m (54.68 yards) long and 67m (73.27 yards) wide.

It is standard across the professional tiers of world football for FIFA’s measurements for an 11-a-side pitch to match the FA’s measurements. 100 to 130 yards (90 to 120 m) long and 50 to 100 yards (45 to 90 m) wide.