Youth Football Formats by Age in England: 2026/27 Guide
From the 2026/27 season, youth football formats by age in England have moved one year later: 3v3 at U7, 5v5 at U8–U9, 7v7 at U10–U11, 9v9 at U12–U13 and 11v11 from U14. Ball sizes and match lengths changed with them, so a U10 now plays 7v7 with a size 3 ball. The tables below summarise The FA's rules for grassroots competitions; leagues and County FAs can add their own details, so always check your league handbook.
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Youth football formats by age in England (2026/27)
Age groups are based on a child's age at midnight on 31 August at the start of the season. A child aged 9 on that date plays U10 for the whole season. Children under 6 cannot play in affiliated matches.
| Age group | School year | Format | Ball size | Max minutes per match | Max minutes per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 | Year 2 | 3v3 | 3 | 10 | 60 |
| U8 | Year 3 | 5v5 | 3 | 40 | 60 |
| U9 | Year 4 | 5v5 | 3 | 40 | 60 |
| U10 | Year 5 | 7v7 | 3 | 50 | 90 |
| U11 | Year 6 | 7v7 | 3 | 50 | 90 |
| U12 | Year 7 | 9v9 | 4 | 60 | 120 |
| U13 | Year 8 | 9v9 | 4 | 60 | 120 |
| U14 | Year 9 | 11v11 | 5 | 70 | 150 |
| U15 | Year 10 | 11v11 | 5 | 70 | 150 |
| U16 | Year 11 | 11v11 | 5 | 80 | 150 |
| U17–U18 | Years 12–13 | 11v11 | 5 | 90 | 180 |
Source: The FA's Standard Code of Rules for Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions 2026-27. The match times are maximums; clubs can agree shorter matches with the referee, as long as both halves are equal. The daily limit includes tournaments, so it matters for anyone planning a festival or one-day event.
What changed from 2026/27
The FA's FutureFit changes, announced in 2025, introduced a new 3v3 entry format at U7 and moved each format one year later. 11v11 now starts at U14 instead of U13. The idea is to keep children in smaller formats with simpler rules through primary school, and to start 9v9 at secondary school.
- U7 3v3: no goalkeepers, no heading, no penalty kicks and no substitutions. Several short games (around 6–10 minutes each) run at once on small pitches, with an adult facilitator rather than a traditional referee.
- Ball sizes: size 3 is now used up to U11, size 4 at U12–U13 and size 5 from U14.
- Restarts: pass-ins or dribble-ins replace throw-ins up to U11; throw-ins start at U12.
- Heading: deliberate heading has been phased out of matches from U7 to U11, with U11 included from 2026/27. A deliberate header gives an indirect free kick.
Grassroots football pitch sizes and goal sizes
The FA publishes recommended pitch sizes per format. Metric figures are from the 2026/27 rules; yards are the long-standing FA recommendations they correspond to. All pitches should have at least 3 metres of run-off.
| Format (age groups) | Pitch size | Goal size (width x height) |
|---|---|---|
| 3v3 (U7) | 15 x 10 m | Small goals; see FA FutureFit guidance |
| 5v5 (U8–U9) | 37 x 27 m (40 x 30 yd) | 12 x 6 ft |
| 7v7 (U10–U11) | 55 x 37 m (60 x 40 yd) | 12 x 6 ft |
| 9v9 (U12–U13) | 73 x 46 m (80 x 50 yd) | 16 x 7 ft |
| 11v11 (U14) | 82 x 50 m (90 x 55 yd) | 21 x 7 ft (24 x 8 ft permitted) |
| 11v11 (U15–U16) | 91 x 55 m (100 x 60 yd) | 24 x 8 ft |
| 11v11 (U17 and over) | 100 x 64 m (110 x 70 yd) | 24 x 8 ft |
The FA has used coloured lines to help on shared sites: red for 5v5, yellow for 7v7 and blue for 9v9, with white for 11v11.
Rules by format: squads, restarts and offside
- Minimum players to start a match: 2 at 3v3, 4 at 5v5, 5 at 7v7, 6 at 9v9 and 7 at 11v11.
- Match-day squad in mini soccer: no more than double the team size, for example 14 for 7v7.
- Substitutions in mini soccer: any number, at a stoppage, with the referee's permission (none at 3v3). Youth competitions set their own limits for 11v11.
- Retreat line: English mini-soccer has used a retreat line, where opponents drop back while a goal kick or goalkeeper restart is taken. Your league handbook confirms where it is and when it applies.
- Offside: traditionally there is no offside in English mini-soccer, while 9v9 and 11v11 use the normal offside law. Check your league's 2026/27 rules, as format rules are being adapted by age.
- Results: for U7–U11, results and tables may be collected but not published, and there are no league tables. Trophy events are allowed in limited numbers from U8. Rolling league tables start at U12.
U10 football rules: a quick summary
Because U10 is one of the most searched age groups, here are the main points for 2026/27 in England:
| Item | U10 in England (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| How many a side | 7v7 (six outfield players plus a goalkeeper) |
| Ball size | Size 3 |
| Match length | Maximum 50 minutes per match |
| Daily limit | Maximum 90 minutes per day, tournaments included |
| Pitch | About 55 x 37 m (60 x 40 yd) |
| Goals | 12 x 6 ft |
| Restarts from the touchline | Pass-in or dribble-in, no throw-ins |
| Heading | No deliberate heading in matches |
| League tables | None; results are not published |
Coaches moving from U9 to U10 have more players to organise but the same ball size. It is a good moment to introduce simple shapes such as the 2-3-1, covered in our guide to 7v7 soccer formations. Moving up to U12 brings 9v9, a size 4 ball and offside; see 9v9 soccer formations.
A note on the US system
US Soccer uses a different structure. Its small-sided standards set 4v4 without goalkeepers at U6–U8, 7v7 at U9–U10 and 9v9 at U11–U12, with 11v11 from U13. For years US age groups were based on birth year; from the 2026/27 season the US youth organisations moved to a seasonal year running from 1 September to 31 August. That is why American guides say "U11 is 9v9" while in England U11 is now 7v7.
Frequently asked questions
What size footballs do U10 use?
In England, U10s use a size 3 ball from the 2026/27 season; size 4 starts at U12. In the US, US Soccer's standards use a size 4 ball at U9 and U10.
Is U11 football 9v9?
Not in England from 2026/27: U11 plays 7v7 and 9v9 starts at U12. In the US, U11 does play 9v9 under US Soccer's small-sided standards.
How long is a U10 football match?
In England the maximum is 50 minutes per match, played in equal halves or periods, and no more than 90 minutes in a day. Leagues often play shorter matches, which is allowed if both clubs and the referee agree beforehand.
Does U10 football have offside?
English mini-soccer has traditionally been played without offside, using a retreat line instead. Offside comes in with 9v9 at U12. Check your league handbook for 2026/27, as some format rules are being adapted.
When do children start 11-a-side football in England?
From the 2026/27 season, 11v11 starts at U14 (Year 9). Previously it started at U13.
Sources
- The FA — Standard Code of Rules for Mini Soccer and Youth Football Competitions 2026-27
- The FA — Goalpost and pitch sizes and line marking 2025-26
- West Riding FA — FutureFit: changes to youth football formats
- The FA — Laws of Mini Soccer 5v5 (retreat line, no offside)
- The FA — Laws for 9v9 football (offside applies)
- FC Business — Heading to be phased out in grassroots youth football matches
- Team Grassroots — Youth football rule changes 2026/27 (3v3 details)
- US Soccer — Player Development Initiatives (small-sided standards)
- SoccerWire — US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO update on age group formation
Verified in October 2026. Rules and age groups vary by association and by season; check your local regulations.