Soccer Field Dimensions Tips and Guideline:

Soccer (association football) is played on a rectangular field called a pitch. Official rules (Law 1 of the Laws of the Game) define the field’s size and layout. By law, the touchlines (sidelines) must be longer than the goal lines. For top-level (international) matches, FIFA narrows the allowable field size to about 100–110 meters long and 64–75 meters wide. In fact, FIFA recommends a standard size of 105×68 meters (roughly 115×74 yards) for professional play. So how big is a soccer field? It can range from about 90×45 m at minimum up to 120×90 m at maximum, but most top stadiums use the 105×68 m standard. Whether you’re planning a backyard game or a new stadium, these official dimensions are the key starting point.

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So, in practice, even the smallest legal field is around 100×50 yards, while the largest can be 130×100 yards. All field lines are part of the playing area, and must be uniformly painted (≤12 cm thick). For example, only the designated lines in Law 1 are allowed on the field. The pitch must also be flat and level, with no slope or hazards. In short, a regulation soccer field is a clean, flat rectangle marked with the standard lines shown below:

Figure: Standard soccer field layout with dimensions (in yards and meters). The touchlines (long edges) and goal lines (short edges) bound the field, and interior markings like the halfway line and penalty areas are defined by the rules.

Official Field Dimensions and Sizes

Soccer fields come in official size ranges depending on level. By rule, a national (non-international) field can be 90–120 m long (100–130 yds) and 45–90 m wide (50–100 yds). For international matches, these ranges tighten to 100–110 m (length) by 64–75 m (width). Many professional leagues (like FIFA World Cup hosts and major clubs) use FIFA’s ideal 105×68 m pitch. For perspective, this is about 115×74 yards, a common stadium standard.

Range (Non-international): 90–120 m × 45–90 m (100–130 yd × 50–100 yd).
Range (International): 100–110 m × 64–75 m (110–120 yd × 70–80 yd).
FIFA Preferred: 105 m × 68 m (115 yd × 74 yd).

This means full-size fields are very large. For example, World Cup and major pro stadiums are typically around 105×68 m. Smaller venues (colleges, clubs) may use slightly smaller fields within the legal range. Youth games use far smaller fields (see below).

Types of Soccer Fields and Surfaces

Soccer fields come in many varieties beyond the standard full-size grass pitch. The traditional surface is natural grass, but many modern fields use artificial turf or hybrid grass/turf systems (always colored green) to allow play in all weather. Artificial turf must mimic grass, so rules require it to be green. Turf fields are common in cold or rainy climates and can be used year-round. Some stadiums even have hybrid grass (grass reinforced with synthetic fibers).

Fields also vary by setting: outdoor vs. indoor vs. beach. Indoor soccer (including futsal) is played on a hard court roughly 40×20 meters (133×66 ft) with smaller goals (and no walls like rinkball). Beach soccer (5-a-side on sand) uses a much smaller sandy pitch — typically about 35–37 m long by 26–28 m wide, with an 18×7 ft (5.5×2.2 m) goal. These fields have simpler markings and no corner flags or offside lines like grass fields.

Youth soccer fields are scaled down for younger players. For example, a 7v7 youth field is roughly 55–65 yards long and 35–45 yards wide. Full-sided (11v11) youth fields (ages 13+) approach adult size: about 100–120 yards long and 50–80 yards wide. Below is a quick overview:

7v7 (U9–U10): ~55–65 × 35–45 yards.
9v9 (U11–U12): ~70–80 × 45–55 yards.
11v11 (U13+): ~100–120 × 50–80 yards.

These sizes ensure younger players have enough room to play without the exhaustion or injury risk of a huge field.

Key Field Markings and Layout

A close-up of a sideline on grass. All boundary lines are painted white and are part of the playing field. In a regulation pitch, specific lines and boxes are marked as follows:

Touchlines (Sidelines) & Goal Lines (Endlines) – These mark the outer boundary. The two longer sides are touchlines, the shorter ends are goal lines. All lines are continuous, flat (≤12 cm wide), and belong to the area they enclose.
Halfway Line & Center Circle – The field is divided into two halves by the halfway line. At its midpoint is the center mark and a circle (radius 9.15 m / 10 yd). Players must be outside the circle during kickoffs.
Goal Area (6-yard Box) – From each goalpost, lines are drawn 5.5 m (6 yd) into the field at right angles, then connected by a line parallel to the goal line. This forms a small rectangle 5.5×18.3 m; only goalkeepers handle the ball in this area during play.
Penalty Area (18-yard Box) – Similar to the goal area but extending 16.5 m (18 yd) from each post into the field and 16.5 m across. Fouls by defenders here result in a penalty kick. The penalty spot itself is marked 11 m (12 yd) from the midpoint of the goal line, and an arc of radius 9.15 m (10 yd) is drawn outside the penalty area for free kicks.
Corner Arcs – A quarter-circle of radius 1 m (1 yd) is drawn at each corner flag inside the field. Players must place the ball within this arc for corner kicks.
Corner Flags – A flagpost (at least 1.5 m / 5 ft tall) with a non-pointed top is placed at each corner. (Optional flags may also mark the halfway line ends, 1 m from the touchline.)
Goals – Each goal is centered on the goal line. A goal is 7.32 m (8 yd) wide and 2.44 m (8 ft) high. Goalposts and crossbar are the same thickness (≤12 cm) and must be white. Goals have nets attached, supported so they don’t impede the goalkeeper. (Nets and adjustable frames must not be dangerous and goals must be securely anchored.)

All these markings are white (or similar light color) and sharply visible on the green grass or turf. No other markings (like team logos or ads) are allowed on the field itself. By following these rules, players and referees know exactly where each boundary and box is during play.

Soccer Field vs. Football Field

It’s worth noting the difference from an American football field. Both soccer and American football fields are about the same total length (an American field is 120 yd including end zones), but soccer fields are generally much wider. An NFL/American field is fixed at 53.3 yards (48.8 m) wide, whereas a soccer pitch can be up to 80 yards (75 m) wide for big matches. In practice, professional soccer pitches (like MLS or Premier League) tend to be longer and wider than American gridiron fields, giving more lateral space for play.

Finding Soccer Fields Near You

If you’re looking to play or watch, finding a local soccer field is easy with technology. Simply searching “soccer field near me” or “soccer fields near me” in Google Maps or other map apps will display nearby fields and parks. Community recreation departments, schools, and soccer clubs often list their field locations online. Some cities have park directories or sports registries; try your city’s parks website or sports network. Always check if you need to reserve the field in advance, and verify if goals or nets are available.

Conclusion

Understanding soccer field dimensions and markings is essential whether you’re a player, coach, or field builder. We’ve covered the official size ranges (from youth fields to international standards), the layout of every line and box, and even how to find fields around you. Now you know the answer to “how big is a soccer field” at various levels, and what each field marking means in play.

Ready to share? If this guide helped you, please share it on social media and tag your soccer friends. Have questions or personal experiences with soccer fields? Leave a comment below – we’d love to hear where and how you play. And if you want to grab a ball, remember to search for “soccer fields near me” to find your nearest pitch. Good luck, and see you on the field!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the official dimensions of a soccer field?
A: Law 1 allows a non-international field to be 90–120 m long by 45–90 m wide. For international matches, the range is tighter: 100–110 m by 64–75 m. FIFA’s recommended (preferred) size is 105×68 m (approximately 115×74 yd).

Q: How big is a soccer field? How long is a soccer field?
A: It varies by level. The smallest legal size is about 90×45 m (100×50 yd). Most full-size fields are 100–110 m long (110–120 yd) and 64–75 m wide (70–82 yd). Professional stadiums typically use roughly 105 m × 68 m. Youth fields are smaller (e.g. 7v7 fields are ~55–65 yards long).

Q: What markings are on a soccer field?
A: Key markings include touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines (endlines) defining the boundary; a halfway line and center circle (9.15 m radius) at mid-field; a 6-yard box (goal area) and an 18-yard box (penalty area) in front of each goal; a penalty spot 11 m from each goal; corner arcs of 1 m radius; and flag posts at each corner. All lines are painted white (≤12 cm wide).

Q: How do I find soccer fields near me?
A: Use online maps or search engines. Google “soccer field near me” or “soccer fields near me” to see local parks and sports facilities that have soccer pitches. You can also check community sports websites or apps like TeamSnap or SportsEngine, which often list field locations.

Q: Is a soccer field bigger than an American football field?
A: Yes and no. A U.S. football field (120×53.3 yd) is essentially the same length but much narrower than a soccer pitch. Soccer fields (e.g. MLS standards) are usually 115×75 yd on average, so they have more side-to-side space for the same length.

Q: Why do soccer fields vary in size?
A: The rules allow flexibility so fields can fit different stadiums and age levels. Youth and small-sided games use smaller fields for safety and playability. Stadium layouts and climate can also influence exact dimensions. However, all approved fields stay within the official ranges mentioned above to ensure fair play.