How long are games, and how are festivals organised?
Rule- Northern Ireland
- Irish FA
- Youth Football Framework
- Small-sided games
- Under 6-Under 18
- AccessNI
- 2026/27
- Coaches
These are the Irish FA Youth Football Framework game structures:
| Format | Structure | Game length |
|---|---|---|
| 3v3 (Under 6-Under 7) | Round robin or festival, 4 nets | At least 4 games of 10 minutes, at most 7 games on festival days |
| 5v5 (Under 8-Under 9) | Round robin or festival | At least 4 games of 12 minutes, at most 7 games on festival days |
| 7v7 (Under 10-Under 11) | One match, A v B | 3 periods of 15 minutes |
| 9v9 | A v B | Under 12: 2 x 25 minutes. Under 13: 2 x 30 minutes. Under 14: 2 x 35 minutes |
| 11v11 | A v B | Under 15 and Under 16: 2 x 40 minutes. Under 17 and Under 18: 2 x 45 minutes |
Under 6 to Under 9 football is built around festivals with several short games, so every child gets more time on the ball.
Added 21 Oct 2026