What format, pitch, goals and ball does each age group use?
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 formats:
| Age group | Format | Pitch (approx.) | Goals | Ball | Goalkeepers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6-Under 7 | 3v3, "Love the Game" | 20 x 16m | 5 x 3ft, 4 nets | Size 3 soft-touch | No |
| Under 8-Under 9 | 5v5, "Explore the Game" | 40 x 25m (max 42 x 33m) | 12 x 4ft | Under 8: size 3. Under 9: size 4 | Yes |
| Under 10-Under 11 | 7v7, "Learn the Game" | 55 x 35m (max 60 x 42m) | 12 x 6ft | Size 4 | Yes |
| Under 12-Under 13 | 9v9, "Understand the Game" | 65 x 45m (max 78 x 50m) | 16 x 7ft | Size 4 | Yes |
| Under 14-Under 18 | 11v11, "Master the Game" | 100 x 65m (max 106 x 70m) |
Updated 21 Oct 2026