How Big is a Soccer Field? (Dimension& Size)

One of the largest playing fields in professional sports is a soccer field. In this article, I will cover detailed facts about soccer fields, starting from their sizes and dimensions to the different types of soccer fields.

What Are the Dimensions of Soccer Field?

A soccer field should be between 100-130 yards (90-120 meters) long and 50-100 yards (40-90 meters) wide, according to the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) Laws of the Game.

However, these dimensions vary for an international game. Hence, an international soccer field must be between 110-120 yards (100-110 meters) long and 70-80 yards (64-75 meters) wide.

The lines that run along the pitch length in soccer are called touchlines. Goal lines are the markings at the end of each field along the width.

According to soccer regulations, a corner flag must be positioned in each of the four corners where the touchlines and goal lines intersect to mark the field of play’s limits.

How Tall is the Corner Flag?

The corner flag cannot be less than five feet, or 1.5 meters, tall. A corner arc is a one-yard sketch that connects each boundary line to the corner flags. The corner kick is executed from this quarter circle by the players.

What is the Playing Surface Material?

According to the Laws of the Game, the playing surface may vary between venues. While some places have artificial turf, others have natural grass.

Soccer laws stipulate that numerous distinguishable characteristics on a football field must have the same size, even though the size and composition of the field of play can differ between places.

The corner area and flags, the penalty area, and even the goal line are examples of these distinctive elements.

Soccer Pitch Layout:

There are specifications for both the total field size and every marking on the playing surface. A particular size is required for the goal box, penalty box, corner kick positions, and center circle.

Let me describe the layout and measurements of each component of a soccer pitch before we discuss the markings.

Before that, take a look at the photo below that shows the various parts of the soccer field.

How Big is the Goal Area?

The goal area is subject to particular laws outlined in the Laws of the Game. The crossbar is eight feet above the ground, and the goalposts are eight yards apart.

Meanwhile, the two short sides (width) of the soccer field are referred to as the “goal line”. Therefore, the majority of people commonly refer to the extra space on either side of the goal line as the “byline.”

Interestingly, sports enthusiast refers to the goal area as the “six-yard box” due to it measurements.

The goal area extends six yards in front of the goal line and six yards on either side of the goal. This goal area refers to a space that is 20 yards by 6 yards in size.

How Big is the Penalty Area?

The penalty area is the larger rectangular box surrounding the goal. It spans about 18 yards from the goal line and 18 yards from each goalpost. Consequently, the entire penalty area is 44 yards by 18 yards in size.

These measurements are why the penalty box is referred to as the “18-yard box”.

Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 12 yards (11m) from the midpoint between the goalposts.

Penalty Arc:

The penalty kick arc is drawn outside the penalty box and has a radius of 10 yards. It ensures that all other players are at least 10 yards away from the penalty kicker.

Center Circle:

A center circle of 10-yard-diameter is drawn at the middle of the field. It is the most central place on the entire soccer pitch. A soccer match always starts as a player kicks the ball from the center circle.

Corner Arc:

A corner kick will be made from the corner arc. Each corner of the field has a corner arc with a 1 yard radius. The ball must remain within the corner arc when being kicked.

To discourage players from getting too close during a corner kick, some fields will feature a marking 10 yards from the corner arc.

Flag Post:

There are rules for even the flag posts in each corner of the field. At each corner of the field, there must be a flagpole that is at least 5 feet tall.

Are All Soccer Fields The Same Size?

No, the dimensions of every soccer field vary. However, there is a set of standards for measurements that apply to all official soccer fields.

A soccer field that adheres to FIFA regulations will be 100 to 130 yards long and 50 to 100 yards wide. Soccer fields are typically 120 yards long and 75 yards wide.

However, there is a lot of flexibility in a soccer field’s permitted dimensions.

Despite the fact that a perfectly square pitch of 100 yards by 100 yards would technically fit inside these FIFA regulations, the field must not be square.

Hence, it is impossible to locate a legal soccer pitch that is square in shape. Do you know that many leagues have their own requirements for soccer fields.

Here is a brief chart that illustrates the ideal soccer pitch dimensions for certain well-known soccer leagues and teams.

As you can see, the dimensions of most soccer fields will vary, but they will be close enough to not significantly influence how the game is played.

In addition to using their own set of standard soccer field measurements, youth, high school, and college fields also use professional soccer fields.

How Big is the Youth Soccer Field?

The youth soccer league’s regulating body permits the playing field to be adjusted to the age of the players. This is due to the fact that small children are unable to travel very far.

Hence, a youth soccer field is typically between 25 and 35 feet long and 15 to 25 feet wide for players aged six and under.

The table below gives a full breakdown of different age groups with their ideal soccer field dimension.

How Big is the Soccer Field for High School?

High school soccer fields often fall into the U-14 category and are not the same size as professional pitches.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) regulates the dimensions of high school soccer fields, which typically measure 55 to 80 yards wide by 100 to 120 yards long.

As you can see, a high school soccer team might play on a U-14, 60 by 100 yard youth field, which is on the lesser end of those regulations.

Many smaller high schools use the neighborhood youth-sized grounds in their communities for games and practices. However, a larger high school will often have its own regulation-sized soccer field.

How Big is the College Soccer Field?

Collegiate soccer pitch measurements are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It measures about 70 to 75 yards wide and 115 to 120 yards long.

Interestingly, College soccer fields are designed to mimic the dimensions of fields used by professional leagues, down to the size of the goals and the diameter of the center circle.

Which Field Is Bigger, Soccer or Football?

A football field can only be 53 1/3 yards wide, however a soccer pitch is normally 75 yards wide and occasionally even 100 yards wide, making it wider than a football field.

An NFL regulation football field is smaller in overall square footage than a standard professional FIFA soccer field.

Check out the table below to see a clear comparison between the football field and soccer pitch.

EndNote on How Large is a Soccer Field?

Only one sport, soccer, permits different pitch sizes at different venues. The goal size must remain constant, despite the fact that the field’s width is flexible.

These help to maintain spectators’ familiarity while reducing some soccer players’ home-field advantage.

Interesting Soccer Facts:

1. Atletico Madrid Facts, Net Worth, Stadium, and Club History

2. What is Offside in Soccer And How Does it Work?

4. What is a Pitch in Soccer?