There is no single legal football pitch size.

The authority used on this page

This page applies The IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, effective 1 July 2026, principally Law 1, “The Field of Play.” It covers standard 11-a-side association football worldwide; it does not describe futsal, beach soccer, indoor football or another football code.

The IFAB’s metric measurements are authoritative if the metric and imperial figures diverge. Competition regulations can select an exact pitch size within the relevant Law 1 range and can add operational requirements, but cannot simply rewrite the Laws unless The IFAB permits the modification.

The fixed measurements

• Centre circle: radius 9.15 m (10 yds).
• Goal area: lines 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each post and extending 5.5 m into the field.
• Penalty area: lines 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each post and extending 16.5 m into the field.
• Penalty mark: 11 m (12 yds) from the midpoint between the posts.
• Penalty arc: radius 9.15 m (10 yds) from the centre of the penalty mark, outside the penalty area.
• Corner area: quarter circle of radius 1 m (1 yd) from the corner flagpost.
• Goal: 7.32 m (8 yds) between the inside of the posts and 2.44 m (8 ft) from the ground to the lower edge of the crossbar.
• Line width: no more than 12 cm (5 ins).

Ordinary and international ranges are different

Law 1.3 permits an ordinary field with touchlines 90–120 m (100–130 yds) long and goal lines 45–90 m (50–100 yds) long. The touchline must be longer than the goal line, so not every length-and-width combination inside those numerical ranges is legal.

Law 1.4 narrows the range for international matches to 100–110 m (110–120 yds) long and 64–75 m (70–80 yds) wide. In either category, the competition may specify the exact length and width within the applicable range.

Some categories may use smaller fields and goals

The IFAB’s 2026/27 “General Modifications” allow a national association—and, where responsible, a confederation or FIFA—to modify field size and goal width or height for youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football. The responsible body defines the relevant categories and competition rules.

This is why a properly authorised youth pitch can be legal without meeting the standard 90 m minimum or using a 7.32 m by 2.44 m goal. It does not mean any team, referee or venue may improvise dimensions on match day.

A line belongs to the area it encloses

Law 1.2 makes the lines part of their areas. A ball touching a touchline or goal line has not gone out: under Law 9, the whole ball must pass over the whole line, on the ground or in the air. Likewise, contact for a direct-free-kick offence on the penalty-area line is treated as inside the penalty area.

The same principle applies at restarts. A ball touching the corner-arc line is in the corner area. At a penalty kick, a player touching the penalty-area line is inside that area; whether early entry is penalised then depends on Law 14’s encroachment and impact tests.

Use the outside edge of area lines

The diagram accompanying IFAB Law 1 specifies that measurements are taken from the outside of the lines because the lines form part of the areas they enclose. The goal-area and penalty-area side lines are located from the inside of each goalpost.

The penalty mark is a special case: its 11 m distance is measured from the centre of the mark to the back edge of the goal line. Applying the specified reference points prevents a thick painted line or post from quietly changing the legal distance.

Continuous, safe and distinguishable

Law 1.2 requires the rectangular boundary, halfway line, centre mark and circle, goal areas, penalty areas and marks, penalty arcs, and corner areas. The lines must be continuous and not dangerous. All field lines must have the same width, no more than 12 cm; each goal line must have the same width as the posts and crossbar.

Only Law 1 lines may be marked on the football field. On an artificial surface, lines for another sport are permitted only when they are a different colour and clearly distinguishable from the football lines. Law 1 also permits short distance marks outside the field, 9.15 m from each corner arc and at right angles to the touchline or goal line; these help officials manage corner-kick distance.

A player cannot draw a private distance guide

A player who makes an unauthorised mark on the field must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour under Law 1.2. If the referee notices it being made while the ball is in play, the caution is shown when the ball next goes out of play.

This covers deliberate boot marks used to guide positioning as well as other player-made reference marks. It is a disciplinary offence by the player, distinct from a venue’s minor inaccurate marking found during the pre-match inspection.

The circle is a visible restart-distance guide

The halfway line joins the midpoints of the touchlines and divides the field into two halves. The centre mark is at its midpoint, and the centre circle has a 9.15 m radius.

At a kick-off, the ball is stationary on the centre mark and opponents must remain at least 9.15 m away until the ball is kicked and clearly moves. The circle supplies the visible distance; Law 8 supplies the restart procedure.

The “six-yard box” controls restart placement

Under Law 1.5, two lines start 5.5 m from the inside of each post, extend 5.5 m into the field and are joined parallel to the goal line. Together with the goal line, they enclose the goal area.

The marking has procedural effects. A goal kick may be taken from anywhere in that goal area. A defending-team free kick awarded there may also be taken from anywhere in it. By contrast, an attacking indirect free kick awarded inside the opponents’ goal area is taken from the nearest point on the goal-area line parallel to the goal line.

The boundary can change a free kick into a penalty

Law 1.6 draws the larger area from points 16.5 m from the inside of each post, with the side lines extending 16.5 m into the field. A defending player’s direct-free-kick offence inside that player’s own penalty area results in a penalty kick, subject to the offence provisions in Law 12.

The penalty mark is 11 m from the midpoint between the posts. The arc outside the area is centred on that mark with a 9.15 m radius. Together, the penalty-area boundary and arc show where players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper must remain until the penalty kick is taken.

The flagpost is the centre of the corner arc

The corner area is a quarter circle drawn inside the field with a 1 m radius from the corner flagpost. At a corner kick, the ball must be stationary in this area and the corner flagpost must not be moved.

A flagpost at least 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag, is required at every corner. Optional flagposts may be placed at the ends of the halfway line, but at least 1 m outside the touchline.

The frame has fixed standard dimensions and safety rules

Law 1.10 places each goal at the centre of its goal line. Standard posts are 7.32 m apart measured between their inside edges; the lower edge of the crossbar is 2.44 m above the ground. The two goals must have the same permitted shape. Posts and crossbars must be white, made from approved non-dangerous material, and have the same width and depth, no more than 12 cm.

Every goal, including a portable goal, must be firmly secured to the ground. Nets are optional under Law 1, but if fitted they must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper.

Play stops; an unsafe substitute is not allowed

If a crossbar is displaced or broken, Law 1.10 requires play to stop until it is repaired or replaced in position. Play then restarts with a dropped ball under Law 8. A rope, flexible material or dangerous object cannot stand in for the crossbar.

If the crossbar cannot be repaired or replaced correctly, the match must be abandoned. Under Law 7.5, an abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise; the referee does not improvise the result.

Natural, artificial and permitted hybrid systems

Law 1.1 requires a wholly natural surface, or—when competition rules allow—a wholly artificial surface. A competition may also allow an integrated combination of natural and artificial materials. Artificial surfaces must be green.

For matches between representative national-association teams or international club matches, an artificial surface must meet the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf unless The IFAB gives special dispensation. A competition can impose further surface, run-off and venue standards.

Not every minor defect automatically cancels a match

Law 5 leaves decisions about the suitability of the field, its surroundings and equipment to the referee, subject to the Laws and competition rules. Safety is decisive: an unsafe field or unsecured goal cannot be excused as a cosmetic defect.

The IFAB Practical Guidelines add a limited lower-level approach. If there is no safety issue, the referee should, with both teams’ agreement, allow play despite a missing corner flag, a minor marking inaccuracy or non-white goalposts/crossbar, and report the issue to the appropriate authority. This guidance does not turn the defect into compliance with Law 1, and a competition may have a stricter procedure.

GLT and VAR features depend on the competition

Goal-line technology may be used only when the competition rules stipulate it. If used, the referee must test it before the match; a failed test means the system is not used and the failure is reported. In VAR matches, at least one clearly marked referee review area must be outside the field in a visible location.

A technical area is relevant where a stadium has designated seating for team officials and substitutes. Law 1 says it should normally extend 1 m to either side of that seating and up to 1 m from the touchline; the competition rules determine how many people may occupy it.

A 100 m by 90 m rectangle

Situation: a senior domestic pitch measures 100 m along each touchline and 90 m along each goal line.

IFAB 2026/27 ruling: it fits the ordinary Law 1.3 ranges and the touchline is longer, so its dimensions satisfy the IFAB baseline. It does not fit the international-match range because 90 m exceeds the 75 m maximum width. It may still be unusable domestically if that competition specifies a narrower exact width.

Contact occurs on the penalty-area line

Situation: a defender trips an attacker, and the point of contact is on the defender’s penalty-area line.

IFAB 2026/27 ruling: if the trip is a direct-free-kick offence, award a penalty kick. Law 1.2 makes the line part of the penalty area. Any card depends on the nature and tactical effect of the challenge under Law 12; the location alone does not automatically require one.

The ball still overhangs the touchline

Situation: from above, most of the ball is outside the field, but its curved edge still overhangs the outside edge of the touchline.

IFAB 2026/27 ruling: play continues. Law 9 requires the whole ball to pass over the whole line. The ball need not be touching the painted line or the ground to remain in play.

A corner flag is missing before kick-off

Situation: at a lower-level match, one flag is missing, but the corner is identifiable and there is no safety problem.

IFAB 2026/27 ruling: Law 1 requires the flagpost, but the Practical Guidelines say the referee should obtain both teams’ agreement, allow the match to take place and report the defect. If the local competition directs otherwise, or the proposed replacement is dangerous, that stricter or safety-based outcome controls.

How to decide whether a field setup is acceptable

1. Name the format and authority. Confirm that this is 11-a-side association football and identify the national association and competition.
2. Select the right range. Ordinary match, international match, or an authorised modified category.
3. Check competition requirements. The organiser may prescribe an exact size, surface or stadium standard within the Laws.
4. Measure from the right reference points. Use outside edges of lines, inside edges of posts, and the centre of the penalty mark as Law 1 specifies.
5. Check markings and equipment. Confirm required lines, flags and securely anchored goals; distinguish other-sport lines on artificial turf.
6. Separate safety from minor non-compliance. Correct defects where possible. The referee applies Law 5 and the Practical Guidelines, then follows any reporting or venue procedure in the competition rules.

Claims the Laws do not support

• “Every full-size pitch is 105 × 68 m.” FIFA recommends that size for stadiums, but Law 1 permits ranges and competitions choose within them.
• “The painted line is outside the area.” The line belongs to the area it bounds.
• “Most of the ball crossing is enough.” The whole ball must pass over the whole boundary line.
• “All football must use adult-sized fields and goals.” Authorised youth, veterans, disability and grassroots modifications may change both.
• “A referee can waive any defect if the teams agree.” Team agreement appears in the Practical Guidelines for minor, non-safety defects; it cannot make dangerous equipment acceptable.
• “Any coloured training line is allowed.” Other lines are permitted on artificial surfaces only when differently coloured and clearly distinguishable from football markings.

Governing-body sources and effective version

• The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 1: The Field of Play (sections 1.1–1.14 and official FAQs)
• The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27: Law 7.5, abandoned match; Law 8, kick-off and dropped ball; Law 9, ball in and out of play.
• The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27: Law 12, offences and sanctions; Law 13, free-kick positions; Law 14, penalty-kick positioning; Law 16, goal kicks; Law 17, corner kicks.
• The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, General Modifications (field and goal sizes)
• The IFAB — Practical Guidelines for Match Officials 2026/27, Introduction (minor field defects)
• The IFAB — Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5.2–5.3: The Referee (field and equipment suitability)
• The IFAB — Changes to the Laws of the Game 2026/27 (current amendment check)
• The IFAB — 140th AGM decisions, 28 February 2026 (effective date and early-adoption transition)
• FIFA — Football Stadiums Guidelines, section 5.3: Pitch Dimensions and Surrounding Areas (105 × 68 m recommendation)

Checked on 26 August 2026 against The IFAB’s English 2026/27 live Laws, published change list and Practical Guidelines. The edition took effect on 1 July 2026; competitions that began earlier could adopt it early. National-association and competition regulations may add exact dimensions, approved modifications, venue standards and match-reporting procedures.