Future Fit: the new formats
The FA's biggest change to youth football in a decade. Here's every format, pitch, goal and ball size by age group, plus how Scotland compares.
From 2026/27, England's youth formats are: U7 3v3, U8 to U9 5v5, U10 to U11 7v7, U12 to U13 9v9 and 11v11 from U14. Every format now starts a year later than before, and U7s play a new 3v3 game with no keepers and no subs.
What's changed
- U7: 5v5 becomes 3v3. No goalkeepers, no substitutes, short 6 to 10 minute games played as a carousel.
- U9 stays at 5v5 instead of moving up to 7v7.
- U11 stays at 7v7 instead of moving up to 9v9, now with a size 3 ball.
- U13 stays at 9v9, and 11v11 starts at U14.
- Restarts change so the ball is in play for longer. In 3v3 every restart is a pass-in or dribble-in, there are no penalties and no deliberate heading.
Get the cheat sheet
Every age group's format, ball, goal and pitch size on one page, emailed to you so it's on your phone at the ground.
England: formats by age group (Future Fit 2026/27)
Highlighted rows changed this season. Match lengths are typical; your league sets the exact rules.
| Age | Format | Before 2026/27 | Ball | Goals (ft) | Pitch (m) | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 | 3v3 | 5v5 | Size 3 | 4 x 2.5 | 15 x 10 (10 x 15 to 15 x 20) | 8-min games |
| U8 | 5v5 | 5v5 | Size 3 | 12 x 6 | 27 x 18 to 37 x 27 | ~40 mins |
| U9 | 5v5 | 7v7 | Size 3 | 12 x 6 | 27 x 18 to 37 x 27 | ~40 mins |
| U10 | 7v7 | 7v7 | Size 3 | 12 x 6 | 46 x 27 to 55 x 37 | ~50 mins |
| U11 | 7v7 | 9v9 | Size 3 | 12 x 6 | 46 x 27 to 55 x 37 | ~60 mins |
| U12 | 9v9 | 9v9 | Size 4 | 16 x 7 | 64 x 37 to 73 x 46 | ~60 mins |
| U13 | 9v9 | 11v11 | Size 4 | 16 x 7 | 64 x 37 to 73 x 46 | ~60 mins |
| U14 | 11v11 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 21 x 7 | 82 x 50 to 91 x 55 | ~70 mins |
| U15 | 11v11 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | 91 x 55 to 100 x 64 | ~80 mins |
| U16 | 11v11 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | 91 x 55 to 100 x 64 | ~80 mins |
| U17 | 11v11 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | 100 x 64 | ~90 mins |
| U18 | 11v11 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | 100 x 64 | ~90 mins |
3v3 for U7s, explained
The game
Three a side, no goalkeepers, no offside, no heading. Pass-ins or dribble-ins for every restart and no penalties.
The set-up
15 x 10 m pitches with 4ft x 2.5ft goals and a size 3 ball. Four 3v3 pitches fit on one 5v5 pitch.
The matchday
Games of 6 to 10 minutes as a carousel, so every child gets 30 to 40 minutes of football and plays with and against different players.
The adult's job
One facilitator per pitch instead of a referee: keep it safe and let the children make the decisions.
Scotland: player pathway formats
Future Fit doesn't apply in Scotland. The Scottish FA and Scottish Youth FA player pathway uses 4v4 festival football (often called fun 4s) for ages 6 to 8, 7v7 for ages 9 to 12, and 11v11 from 13. Leagues and regions set the detail, so check your league handbook.
| Age | Format | Ball | Goals (ft) | Pitch (m) | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 | 4v4 | Size 3 | up to 16 x 6 | festival pitches (cones) | 10-min games |
| U8 | 4v4 | Size 3 | up to 16 x 6 | festival pitches (cones) | 10-min games |
| U9 | 7v7 | Size 3 | up to 16 x 6 | around 55 x 37 | ~50 mins |
| U10 | 7v7 | Size 3 | up to 16 x 6 | around 55 x 37 | ~50 mins |
| U11 | 7v7 | Size 4 | up to 16 x 6 | around 55 x 37 | ~60 mins |
| U12 | 7v7 | Size 4 | up to 16 x 6 | around 55 x 37 | ~60 mins |
| U13 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 21 x 7 | full size or reduced | ~70 mins |
| U14 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 21 x 7 | full size or reduced | ~70 mins |
| U15 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | full size or reduced | ~80 mins |
| U16 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | full size or reduced | ~80 mins |
| U17 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | full size or reduced | ~90 mins |
| U18 | 11v11 | Size 5 | 24 x 8 | full size or reduced | ~90 mins |
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Future Fit questions
When does Future Fit start?
The new formats are mandatory in England from the 2026/27 season. They apply to all affiliated grassroots youth football, boys and girls.
What format do U7s play now?
3v3, with no goalkeepers and no substitutes. Children play several short games of 6 to 10 minutes, aiming for 30 to 40 minutes of football each, rotating between pitches.
What size pitch and goals do I need for 3v3?
The recommended pitch is 15 x 10 metres (anything from 10 x 15 up to 15 x 20 metres works) with 4ft x 2.5ft goals and a size 3 ball. Four 3v3 pitches fit on one 5v5 pitch.
Do our existing goals still work?
Yes. 12ft x 6ft goals are still right for 5v5 and 7v7, 16ft x 7ft for 9v9 and 21ft x 7ft for U14 11v11. The only new goal size is 4ft x 2.5ft for 3v3.
What ball size does each age group use?
Size 3 for 3v3, 5v5 and 7v7 (U7 to U11), size 4 for 9v9 (U12 to U13) and size 5 for 11v11 (U14 upwards).
Have match lengths changed?
Apart from U7, match lengths are unchanged from previous seasons. Your league sets the exact length, so check its handbook.
Does Future Fit apply in Scotland?
No. Future Fit is England Football's framework. Scotland follows the Scottish FA and Scottish Youth FA player pathway: 4v4 festival football for ages 6 to 8, 7v7 for 9 to 12 and 11v11 from 13, with leagues setting the detail.
Sources: England Football Future Fit FAQs and Know Your Format guide; Scottish FA National Player Pathway. Always check your league's rules.