Soccer Goal Regulations
Your guide to U.S. Soccer goal dimensions and material requirements for the 2022 season.
Soccer Goal Sizes
We often get asked what is a regulation soccer goal size and what other soccer goal regulations are there to be aware of when purchasing goals. Depending on the age of the players, there are a number of standard soccer goal size recommendations and requirements for soccer goals in the United States. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide of soccer goal dimensions and material requirements from youth soccer to the professional level.
Youth Soccer
Two of the largest governing bodies for youth soccer are US Soccer and AYSO. Both share the same recommendations for goal sizes in youth soccer for U6-U12.
US Youth Soccer is a member of US Soccer, and also a member of FIFA which serves as the international governing body for soccer. The American Youth Soccer Association, (AYSO) is a non-profit organization and the oldest national youth soccer program in the United States. AYSO is governed by IFAB Laws. US Youth Soccer makes their recommendations for goal sizes based on US Soccer’s Small Sided Games Chart which shows the maximum size that can be used for ages U6-U12. Teams/clubs should not exceed the maximum standard for goal size that has been set forth by US Soccer. U13 and older use standard 8’ h x 24’ w goals.
Recommended Maximum Goal Sizes for Youth Soccer Are:
U6, U7, U8 – Maximum recommended soccer goal size is 4′ x 6′
U9, U10 – Maximum recommended soccer goal size is 6’6″ x 18’6″
U11, U12 – Maximum recommended soccer goal size is 7′ x 21′
U13 and up – Standard soccer goal size is 8′ x 24′
US Youth Soccer allows some concessions and says recommended goal sizes may be changed slightly to best utilize the field as long as it does not affect the quality of soccer.
High School Soccer
The National Federation of High Schools, (NFHS) is the organization that writes the rules for high school soccer in the United States. In addition to using a standard size 8′ x 24′ goal, the rule for goal size and materials state:
“They shall consist of two upright posts between 4 inches and 5 inches in projected diameter placed an equal distance from the corner flags and 8 yards apart (inside measurement). The tops of the posts shall be joined by a 4-inch, but not more than 5-inch horizontal crossbar, the lower edge of which shall be 8 feet from the ground. Soccer goals shall be white. No markings other than a single manufacturer’s identification/logo may appear on the goalposts or crossbar. Metal pipes of 3 to 4 inches in diameter may be used. If portable goals are used, they shall be adequately anchored, secured or counterweighted to the ground.”
Another common occurrence for high school soccer is a shared field with football, the NFHS states:
If used on a football field, the front of the portable goals should be at least 2 yards in front of the base of the existing football goalposts.
College Soccer
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, (NCAA) is the governing body for college soccer rules. The NCAA Soccer Rules and Interpretations Book, Rule 1.9, (Goals) states:
The goals shall be anchored, secured or counterweighted. The goalposts, which shall be superimposed on end lines of the same width and depth, shall consist of two posts, equidistant from the corner flags and 8 yards apart (inside measurement), joined by a horizontal crossbar of similar material, the lower edge of which shall be 8 feet from the ground
The width or diameter of the goalposts and crossbar shall not be less than 4 inches nor more than 5 inches, and the same width as the goal line. The back edge of the goalpost must align with the outermost edge of the end line. The posts and crossbar may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape, and shall be painted white. In addition, no markings other than a single manufacturer’s identification/logo of appropriate size may appear on the goalposts or the crossbar.
Order 2020-21 NCAA Soccer Rulebook or download the free pdf version
Professional Soccer (FIFA)
International Federation of Association Football, (FIFA) describes itself as an international governing body of associations including football, futsal, beach soccer, and eFootball. FIFA supports the highest form of soccer in the world and most professional leagues will do their best to replicate the rules of FIFA for adult level players.
The following is how FIFA.com defines a soccer goal:
A goal consists of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous. The distance between the inside of the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft). The goalposts and the crossbar must be white and have the same width and depth, which must not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). Safety – Goals (including portable goals) must be firmly secured to the ground.
Futsal
Official futsal goals are distinguished by their smaller size and the goal posts and crossbar must be a different color than the pitch.
The following is how FIFA officially defines futsal goals in its rule book (p.8):
“A goal must be placed on the center of each goal line. A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corners and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players. The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is 3m and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2m. Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, 8cm. The nets must be made of hemp, jute or nylon or other approved material and are attached to the back of the goalposts and the crossbar with a suitable means of support. They must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper. The goalposts and crossbars must be of a different color from the pitch. The goals must have a stabilizing system that prevents them from overturning. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.”
Indoor Soccer
The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL rulebook addresses goal dimensions and materials as follows;
The goals shall be placed on the center of each goal line within the perimeter wall and shall consist of two (2) upright posts, equidistant from the corner flags and fourteen feet (14’) apart (inside measurement), joined by a horizontal crossbar, the lower edge of which shall be eight feet (8’) from the surface of the carpet. The width and depth of the goalposts and crossbars shall not be less than four inches (4”) nor exceed five inches (5”). The goalposts, crossbar and goal line shall have the same width. Nets shall be attached to the posts, crossbars and to the ground behind the goals. They should be appropriately supported and be so placed as to allow the goalkeeper ample room. The depth of the goal net shall be a minimum of five feet (5’). The goalpost and crossbar shall be red in color.
Finding the right soccer goal is as easy as 1-2-3
We get it. There are a lot of soccer goals out there. Finding the right goal for your needs can be hard. We’ll step you through the process with a few questions to help you narrow down what size and type of soccer goal will suit your purpose.