How long is a Sunday league match, and how many players do we need?
Rule- England
- England Football
- FA Handbook 2026-27
- Adult football
- Open age (16+)
- Sunday league
- Grassroots
- 2026/27
- Players
Under the FA Standard Code of Rules for open age football (FA Handbook 2026-27):
- Length: 90 minutes, unless both clubs agree a shorter time with the referee before kick-off. It can't be less than 60 minutes and must be two equal halves.
- Half-time: set by the league, but no more than 15 minutes, and only changed with the referee's consent.
- Two matches between the same teams on one day are allowed if the total playing time is no more than 120 minutes.
- Minimum players: a team needs at least 7 players for a match. Starting with fewer breaks the rules and leads to a fine.
- Substitutes: your league chooses how many (between 3 and 7) can be named and used, and whether players who've been substituted can come back on.
- Every match is played under the IFAB Laws of the Game, with no overhead netting allowed on 11v11 pitches.
Added 21 Oct 2026