Which format will my child play in 2026?

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Accepted Answer

Scottish FA small-sided formats go by year of birth. These are the maximum formats for 2026: Year of birth Max format Pitch (max) Goals (max) 2019-2020 4v4 (and multi-games) 30 x 20m 8ft x 4ft (2.5 x 1.2m) 2018 5v5 40 x 30m 16ft x 6ft (4.9 x 1.8m) 2016-2017 7v7 about 36-45m wide x 55-65m long 16ft x 6ft 2015 7v7 until May, 9v9 from June 2026 9v9: about 42-47m x 65-75m, or half a full-size pitch 16ft x 6ft 2014 9v9, moving to 11v11 from May 2026 about 42-47m x 65-75m 16ft x 6ft These are maximums. Children can always play a smaller format but must not play a larger one. For under-9s, the Scottish FA wants most football to be club-based, with mixed ages and formats from 1v1 up to 4v4, alongside local festivals.

Year of birth	Max format	Pitch (max)	Goals (max)
2019-2020	4v4 (and multi-games)	30 x 20m	8ft x 4ft (2.5 x 1.2m)
2018	5v5	40 x 30m	16ft x 6ft (4.9 x 1.8m)
2016-2017	7v7	about 36-45m wide x 55-65m long	16ft x 6ft
2015	7v7 until May, 9v9 from June 2026	9v9: about 42-47m x 65-75m, or half a full-size pitch	16ft x 6ft
2014	9v9, moving to 11v11 from May 2026	about 42-47m x 65-75m	16ft x 6ft