How old do I have to be to play adult Sunday league football?
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):
- Open age football: you must be at least 16 to play.
- Mixed (men and women) adult competitions: you must be 18 or over. Players under 18 aren't allowed, and the league must refuse their registration.
Leagues involving players still in full-time secondary education must give priority to school football, although Sunday leagues don't need head teachers to clear players' availability.
A league can't fine anyone under 18 for breaking its rules.
Updated 21 Oct 2026