Football substitution rules
In professional football a substitution is final: off means off. In most grassroots and small-sided football, players come off and go back on all game. Here's what the Laws of the Game allow, and how to run rolling subs fairly.
By Squadcard. Last updated .
In short
- Official competitions allow up to five substitutes, used in no more than three stoppages plus half-time.
- Between three and fifteen substitutes can be named, depending on the competition.
- A player who comes off can't come back on, except where return substitutions are allowed.
- Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football can allow return (rolling) substitutions.
Substitutes in official matches
Competitions decide the number, up to a maximum of five substitutes in a match. Each team gets no more than three chances to make them during play, plus half-time, so a team can't stop the game five times. Competitions name between three and fifteen substitutes on the team sheet, and can add permanent concussion substitutes on top.
A substitution happens at a stoppage, with the referee's permission, at the halfway line. The player coming off leaves first, at the nearest point on the boundary unless the referee says otherwise. From 2026/27 they have ten seconds to get off, or the substitute waits: see the new football rules for 2026/27.
Rolling (return) substitutions
The Laws allow return substitutions, where a player who came off can go back on, only in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, and only if the national association agrees. That covers almost every 5-a-side, 7-a-side and Sunday morning game, and futsal has unlimited rolling subs by its own laws.
Running rolling subs fairly
- Agree the change: every five or ten minutes, or at each goal, so nobody waits half the game.
- Same number each time: one or two off together keeps the shape.
- Longest on comes off first, and the sub goes on straight away.
- Use a calculator: the equal playing time calculator gives everyone the same minutes, for 5-a-side, 6-a-side and 7-a-side.
Questions
How many subs are allowed in football?
Up to five in official competitions, in no more than three stoppages plus half-time. Competitions can allow fewer.
What are rolling subs?
Substitutions where a player who came off can go back on later. They're allowed in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football.
Can a substituted player come back on?
Not in professional football. In grassroots and small-sided games with rolling subs, yes.
How do subs work in 5-a-side?
Usually rolling: swap one player every few minutes, longest on first. The equal playing time calculator works out a fair rota.