Pitch and goals

Pitch and goal equipment

Every football match is played on a pitch with the same basic features — two goals, a set of markings, and a clear boundary. This guide explains the dimensions, the equipment around the pitch, and how different formats of football adjust the setup for different age groups.

See the Laws of the Game Read the equipment guide

What pitch and goal equipment covers

The pitch itself, the goals at each end, the lines on the surface and the items around the touchline all sit under the heading of "field of play" in the Laws of the Game.

A football pitch is a rectangle with a goal at each end. Inside that simple description there is a long set of dimensions, markings and small pieces of equipment, all set out in Law 1 of the Laws of the Game. The fixed equipment includes the goalposts and crossbars, the nets, the corner flags, and the painted lines on the surface. The technical area at the side of the pitch is part of the same Law.

The dimensions of the pitch and the goal change across different formats of football — eleven-a-side, nine-a-side, seven-a-side, five-a-side and futsal — so that younger players use smaller pitches and smaller goals. The principles, though, are the same at every level. The pitch is rectangular, the goal is in the middle of each goal line, and the markings around the area show where penalties are taken, where the goalkeeper can use their hands, and where corners, throw-ins and goal kicks are played from.

Pitch dimensions

The Laws of the Game set out the maximum and minimum size of a senior football pitch, with a narrower range for international matches.

Under Law 1, the length of the pitch — the distance between the two goal lines — must be between 90 and 120 metres. The width — the distance between the two touchlines — must be between 45 and 90 metres. The touchline must always be longer than the goal line, so the pitch is wider one way than the other. For international matches, the range is tighter — 100 to 110 metres long and 64 to 75 metres wide.

Most professional clubs use a pitch close to 105 metres long and 68 metres wide, which sits in the middle of the international range. Smaller pitches are common at amateur and grassroots level. Younger age groups play on much shorter pitches, scaled down to suit the size and stamina of the players.

Pitch markings

Every line on a football pitch has a specific job. The same set of markings appears at almost every level of the game.

Touchlines and goal lines

The four lines that form the rectangle of the pitch. The two longer lines are the touchlines. The two shorter lines, between the goalposts at each end, are the goal lines. The ball is out of play when the whole ball has crossed one of these lines.

Halfway line and centre circle

The halfway line runs across the middle of the pitch from one touchline to the other. The centre circle has a radius of 9.15 metres around the centre spot — the distance the opposition must stay back at kick-off.

Penalty area

The large rectangle in front of each goal, 16.5 metres deep and 40.3 metres wide. The goalkeeper can use their hands inside their own penalty area, and direct-free-kick offences committed inside the area by the defending team result in a penalty.

Goal area

The smaller rectangle inside the penalty area, sometimes called the six-yard box. It measures 5.5 metres deep and 18.3 metres wide. Goal kicks are taken from inside the goal area, and certain restarts are taken from its edge.

Penalty spot and arc

The penalty spot sits 11 metres from the goal line, directly in front of the centre of the goal. The penalty arc is the curved line at the top of the penalty area, marking the 9.15 metres from the spot where other players must stand during a penalty kick.

Corner arcs

Quarter-circle arcs marked at each corner of the pitch, with a radius of one metre. Corner kicks are taken from inside the arc on the side closest to where the ball went out of play.

Goals across formats

Goal sizes change with the format of football, so that the size of the goal matches the size of the pitch and the age of the players.

Eleven-a-side

The standard senior goal — 7.32 metres wide and 2.44 metres tall, often given in feet as 24 by 8. Used in all senior football, from professional matches to adult amateur leagues, and in most youth football from around the age of thirteen.

Nine-a-side

A reduced-size goal used in youth football for under-eleven and under-twelve age groups in many associations. The goal is roughly 4.88 metres wide and 2.13 metres tall — sixteen by seven in feet.

Seven-a-side

A smaller goal again, used for under-nine and under-ten football. The standard size is roughly 3.66 metres wide and 1.83 metres tall — twelve by six in feet — although exact sizes vary between associations.

Five-a-side

A short, wide goal used in outdoor five-a-side and mini-soccer. Five-a-side and mini-soccer goal sizes vary by competition and facility. In English youth mini-soccer, 12 by 6 feet is a common recommended size, while adult five-a-side centres may use different low, wide goals.

Futsal

A goal three metres wide and two metres tall, set into a hard-floored court. Futsal goals are smaller than five-a-side outdoor goals, in line with the lower-bounce futsal ball and the smaller court.

Goal frames and nets

The goal frame and the net behind it are governed by Law 1, with detailed rules on shape, colour and safety.

The goalposts and crossbar must be made of an approved material such as wood, metal or another safe material, and must not be dangerous to players. They must be white, and the depth and width of the posts and the crossbar must be the same and must not exceed 12 centimetres. The crossbar must be set firmly between the posts, and the whole frame must be securely fixed to the ground so that it cannot move during a match. Portable goals used in training or smaller matches must be weighted or anchored for the same reason.

A net is attached behind the goal, fixed to the posts, the crossbar and the ground. The net is there to confirm that the ball has gone into the goal and to keep the ball from rolling away after a goal is scored. The net must not interfere with the goalkeeper, which means it cannot sag forward into the goal frame. Nets are usually white at professional level, but other colours are allowed.

Around the pitch

Several small pieces of equipment sit around the edge of the pitch and just inside the touchlines.

Corner flags

Required at each corner of the pitch under Law 1. The flag must be at least 1.5 metres tall, with a non-pointed top so that a player who falls onto it is not injured. The flag itself helps players, officials and spectators see where the corner is.

Halfway-line flags

Optional under the Laws. If used, they must be placed at least one metre outside the touchline, level with the halfway line. They have the same safety rules as corner flags. Some grounds use them; others do not.

Technical area

A marked area on the touchline next to each team's substitutes' bench, where the coaches and other team staff are allowed to stand. Only one person from the technical area can give instructions at a time, and they must stay within the area unless they have permission to leave it — for example, to attend to an injured player.

Dugout and substitutes' bench

The seated area where substitutes and team staff sit during the match, usually just behind the technical area. The dugout is not a Law-of-the-Game requirement, but most grounds have one for shelter and for keeping the touchline area clear during play.

Pitch surfaces

Football is played on several types of surface, each with its own characteristics and its own rules.

Natural grass

The traditional football surface and the standard surface in much of elite football. Natural grass pitches need careful drainage, regular cutting and watering, and time to recover after each match. Quality varies with the weather and the time of year.

Hybrid grass

A mixture of natural grass with synthetic fibres woven into the surface to give it more durability. Hybrid pitches are common at top-level clubs, particularly in stadiums where the pitch is used heavily across a long season.

Third-generation artificial grass

An all-synthetic surface, usually called 3G, made of long plastic blades held upright by a layer of rubber crumb. 3G pitches drain quickly, can be used in almost any weather, and are common at training grounds and community facilities.

Fourth-generation artificial grass

Artificial grass surfaces, including 3G-style football turf, are designed to provide a more consistent surface than older sand-based pitches. Terms such as '4G' vary by supplier and competition, so the important question is whether the surface meets the relevant competition and FIFA Quality Programme requirements.

Futsal courts

A hard indoor surface, usually wood or sports vinyl, used for futsal matches. Players wear flat-soled indoor boots rather than studs, and the ball used is the reduced-bounce futsal ball.

Beach soccer

A surface of soft sand, used for beach soccer. The pitch is much smaller than a standard football pitch, the goals are smaller, and players usually play barefoot, with permitted ankle or foot protection depending on the competition rules. Beach soccer uses its own lighter ball.