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There is no single global standard for mini football pitch dimensions. The IFAB Laws of the Game set limits only for the full-size field (90 to 120 m by 45 to 90 m), and national associations set small-sided sizes. The English FA recommends a maximum of 40 x 30 yards for 5v5, 60 x 40 yards for 7v7 and 80 x 50 yards for 9v9, plus run-off.
There is no single global standard for mini football pitch dimensions. The IFAB Laws of the Game set limits only for the full-size field, and each national association publishes its own sizes for small-sided formats. As one example, the English FA recommends a maximum of 40 x 30 yards for 5v5, 60 x 40 yards for 7v7 and 80 x 50 yards for 9v9, each with a run-off area around it.
Is there an official size for a mini football pitch?
Not at world level. The Laws of the Game allow modifications to the size of the field of play for younger players and some other groups, and federations use that freedom differently. A commercial five-a-side centre for adults is usually built to fit its plot and its fence, because no federation sets a fixed size for that type of venue.
Before building, check the rules of the competition or the national association the pitch will serve. If the pitch is for a league, its handbook overrides any general guide.
What are the full-size limits under the Laws of the Game?
The IFAB Laws of the Game (Law 1) set a touchline of 90 to 120 m and a goal line of 45 to 90 m. For international matches the range is narrower: 100 to 110 m by 64 to 75 m. The same law sets the penalty area at 16.5 m, the penalty mark at 11 m, the centre circle radius at 9.15 m and the goal at 7.32 m wide and 2.44 m high.
What sizes does the English FA recommend for each format?
Section 38 of The FA Handbook 2025-26 gives the following recommendations in yards and feet. The metric values in brackets are our own conversions, rounded to one or two decimals.
| Format | Age group | Maximum size without run-off | Size including run-off | Goal (height x width) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5v5 | U7/U8 | 40 x 30 yd (36.6 x 27.4 m) | 46 x 36 yd (42.1 x 32.9 m) | 6 x 12 ft (1.83 x 3.66 m) |
| 7v7 | U9/U10 | 60 x 40 yd (54.9 x 36.6 m) | 66 x 46 yd (60.4 x 42.1 m) | 6 x 12 ft (1.83 x 3.66 m) |
| 9v9 | U11/U12 | 80 x 50 yd (73.2 x 45.7 m) | 86 x 56 yd (78.6 x 51.2 m) | 7 x 16 ft (2.13 x 4.88 m) |
| 11v11 | U13/U14 | 90 x 55 yd (82.3 x 50.3 m) | 96 x 61 yd (87.8 x 55.8 m) | 7 x 21 ft (2.13 x 6.40 m) |
| 11v11 | U15/U16 | 100 x 60 yd (91.4 x 54.9 m) | 106 x 66 yd (96.9 x 60.4 m) | 8 x 24 ft (2.44 x 7.32 m) |
| 11v11 | U17/U18 and senior | 110 x 70 yd (100.6 x 64.0 m) | 116 x 76 yd (106.1 x 69.5 m) | 8 x 24 ft (2.44 x 7.32 m) |
The FA notes that County FAs and leagues may have their own rules for their competitions. For under-13 and under-14 pitches it recommends 7 x 21 ft goals, while accepting 8 x 24 ft where a site cannot provide for that age group separately.
How much run-off should a small pitch have?
The FA recommends a run-off of at least 3 yards (or 3 metres) all around natural grass pitches. For clubs in the football pyramid the minimum safety run-off is 1.83 m, ideally at least 2 m, and a new ground should provide at least 3 m. Where football turf is used as run-off, it should meet the performance standards of full-size pitches and be green.
Where two pitches sit side by side, the FA suggests ideally 6 yards between them. Fences, floodlight poles and benches belong outside the run-off, so the plot must be larger than the playing area itself.
How are several formats marked on one surface?
One artificial surface can carry several layouts. The FA suggests red lines for 5v5, yellow for 7v7, blue for 9v9 and white for 11v11. This lets a club or school run a full pitch and smaller cross-pitches on the same turf, provided the goals are portable or set in sockets.
Which turf suits a mini football pitch?
Small-sided pitches are often used for many hours a day by players of mixed ages. Infilled football turf such as Odin Grass (pile height 20–65 mm; 40–60 mm recommended for football) suits pitches used mainly for football. Multi Sport Grass lists a 35 mm pile for small-sided pitches and 13–30 mm for multi-purpose courts. Further options are under football turf.
Ekip Grass, a licensee of the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf, produces these systems in Dilovası, Kocaeli, Türkiye. For the other cost items of a small pitch, see artificial football pitch cost.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a 5-a-side pitch?
No global standard exists. The English FA recommends a maximum of 40 x 30 yards for 5v5 youth play at under-7 and under-8 level, without run-off; adult commercial pitches are usually sized to fit the site.
What size is a 7-a-side pitch?
The English FA recommends a maximum of 60 x 40 yards for 7v7 at under-9 and under-10 level, or 66 x 46 yards including run-off. Other associations may use different figures.
How big is a full-size football pitch?
The IFAB Laws of the Game allow a touchline of 90 to 120 m and a goal line of 45 to 90 m; for international matches 100 to 110 m by 64 to 75 m.
Do I need space around the pitch?
Yes. The FA recommends at least 3 yards (or 3 metres) of run-off around natural grass pitches, and fences and poles should stand outside it.
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