Soccer field size by age
A youth soccer field grows with the players. In the U.S. Soccer standards, under-8s play 4v4 on a field about 30 yards long, under-10s play 7v7 on about 60 yards, under-12s play 9v9 on about 75 yards, and from under-13 teams play 11v11 on a full-size field.
The standards give a range, not one number, because parks and schools have different space. Your league picks a size inside the range.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Youth soccer field size chart
| Age group | Game | Players | Field length | Field width | Biggest goal | Game length | Ball | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U6, U7, U8 | 4v4 | 4, no goalkeeper | 25 to 35 yd | 15 to 25 yd | 4 ft high, 6 ft wide | 4 x 10 min | 3 | USSF |
| U9, U10 | 7v7 | 7, with a goalkeeper | 55 to 65 yd | 35 to 45 yd | 6.5 ft high, 18.5 ft wide | 2 x 25 min | 4 | USSF |
| U11, U12 | 9v9 | 9, with a goalkeeper | 70 to 80 yd | 45 to 55 yd | 7 ft high, 21 ft wide | 2 x 30 min | 4 | USSF |
| U13, U14 | 11v11 | 11, with a goalkeeper | 100 to 130 yd | 50 to 100 yd | 8 ft high, 24 ft wide | 2 x 35 min | 5 | IFAB, USYS |
| U15, U16 | 11v11 | 11, with a goalkeeper | 100 to 130 yd | 50 to 100 yd | 8 ft high, 24 ft wide | 2 x 40 min | 5 | IFAB, USYS |
| U17 to U19 | 11v11 | 11, with a goalkeeper | 100 to 130 yd | 50 to 100 yd | 8 ft high, 24 ft wide | 2 x 45 min | 5 | IFAB, USYS |
USSF = U.S. Soccer small-sided standards (field, goal, players, game length). IFAB = Laws of the Game, Law 1 (the full-size field and goal). USYS = US Youth Soccer playing rules, December 2025 (game length and ball from U13). U.S. Soccer recommends a smaller goal than the biggest one allowed: 6.5 x 12 ft for 7v7 and 6.5 x 18.5 ft for 9v9. Typical US youth standards for the 2026-27 season; your league may differ. Checked on November 10, 2026.
Full-size field markings (11v11)
These are the same on every full-size field, whatever its length and width.
| Marking | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | 8 yd wide, 8 ft high (7.32 m x 2.44 m) | IFAB |
| Penalty area | 18 yd from each post and 18 yd into the field (16.5 m) | IFAB |
| Goal area | 6 yd from each post and 6 yd into the field (5.5 m) | IFAB |
| Penalty mark | 12 yd from the goal line (11 m) | IFAB |
| Center circle | 10 yd radius (9.15 m) | IFAB |
| Corner arc | 1 yd radius (1 m) | IFAB |
| International games | 110 to 120 yd long, 70 to 80 yd wide | IFAB |
Laws of the Game, Law 1. The lines are part of the areas they mark, so a foul on the penalty area line is inside the penalty area.
A 7v7 field next to a full-size field
A 7v7 field
A full-size 11v11 field
What is different on a small field
- A 4v4 field has no goalkeepers and no offside.
- A 7v7 field has a build-out line in each half, halfway between the penalty area and the halfway line.
- A 9v9 field has no build-out line. It is a smaller copy of the full field, with offside from the halfway line.
- The penalty area, goal area and center circle are smaller on 7v7 and 9v9 fields. Your league’s field diagram has the exact sizes.
- England’s FA uses different formats and sizes: 5v5 on about 40 x 30 yards, 7v7 on about 60 x 40 yards and 9v9 on about 80 x 50 yards.
Why kids do not play on a full field
- Fewer players on a smaller field means every child touches the ball more often.
- Goals that fit the goalkeeper make saves possible, so shooting and goalkeeping both improve.
- Shorter distances keep the game about passing and moving instead of the longest kick.
- The Laws of the Game allow youth soccer to change the size of the field and the goals, the length of the game and the number of players.
Questions about field size by age
How big is a 7v7 soccer field?
In the U.S. Soccer standards, 55 to 65 yards long and 35 to 45 yards wide, for under-9 and under-10 teams. The biggest goal allowed is 6.5 feet high and 18.5 feet wide.
How big is a 9v9 soccer field?
In the U.S. Soccer standards, 70 to 80 yards long and 45 to 55 yards wide, for under-11 and under-12 teams. The biggest goal allowed is 7 feet high and 21 feet wide.
How big is a full-size soccer field?
The Laws of the Game allow 100 to 130 yards long and 50 to 100 yards wide. For international games the range is 110 to 120 yards by 70 to 80 yards.
How big is a U8 soccer field?
In the U.S. Soccer standards, U6 to U8 teams play 4v4 on a field 25 to 35 yards long and 15 to 25 yards wide, with goals no bigger than 4 feet by 6 feet.
How big is a soccer goal?
A full-size goal is 8 yards wide and 8 feet high. Youth goals are smaller: at most 4 x 6 feet for 4v4, 6.5 x 18.5 feet for 7v7 and 7 x 21 feet for 9v9.
Free lessons to start with
- A Formation Gives Us Options (7v7 lesson)Use the jobs of the back line, midfield and forward to find a missing wide or supporting option.
- Make Room for Your Team (7v7 lesson)Spread into useful space so the player on the ball has another route.
- 3-2-3: Know Your Unit (9v9 lesson)Understand nine players, three outfield units, and cover behind an advancing defender.
- Our Eleven: Shape & Shared Jobs (11v11 lesson)Understand the goalkeeper and each line, then adapt midfield support as a fullback advances.
Keep reading
- Soccer ball size by ageSize 3, 4 or 5 for each age group, with a chart
- Soccer age groups explainedU6 to U19, birth dates and which game each one plays
- The build-out line in 7v7The dashed line on a 7v7 field
- 7v7 soccer formationsShapes for U9 and U10 teams
- 9v9 soccer formationsShapes for U11 and U12 teams
- 11v11 soccer formationsShapes for the full game
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.