Under-8 football rules: 5v5
Under-8 is the year children in England move up from 3v3 to their first proper match: 5v5, with goalkeepers, a referee and a bigger pitch. From the 2026-27 season it's the first of two years at 5v5. Here's what changes and what the rules are.
By Squadcard. Last updated .
In short
- Under-8s (school Year 3) play 5v5 from 2026-27: four outfield players and a goalkeeper.
- Games last up to 40 minutes, with rolling substitutes and a referee.
- Pitch 37 by 27 metres (at least 27 by 18), goals 12 by 6 feet, a size 3 ball.
- No offside and no heading; sideline restarts are a pass-in or dribble-in.
- The retreat line applies at goal kicks, and the power play is allowed.
What's new at under-8
Coming from 3v3, under-8s get goalkeepers, a referee, substitutes and a pitch with more than six times the space. The game counts for trophy events too, where 3v3 was non-competitive. 5v5 is the maximum: leagues can play smaller formats.
The format
- Who: under-8s, which in England is school Year 3.
- Players: five a side, including a goalkeeper.
- Game length: up to 40 minutes.
- Substitutes: rolling. Best practice is for every player to play at least half the game.
- Pitch: 37 by 27 metres recommended (also the maximum), at least 27 by 18 metres.
- Goals: 12 by 6 feet. Ball: size 3.
The rules on the pitch
- Offside: none.
- Heading: not allowed. A deliberate header is an indirect free kick, with no card unless it's persistent.
- Sideline restarts: a pass-in or a dribble-in instead of a throw-in.
- Retreat line: at a goal kick, the other team drops back into its own half until the ball is in play, so the keeper can play out.
- Power play: allowed, so a team that falls well behind can add a player.
Outside England
These are England's grassroots formats. Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and other countries set their own, and leagues can play smaller formats than these, so check your league's handbook. They stay at 5v5 for one more year: see the under-9 rules. Before this, it was 3v3 at under-7.
A game for the grown-ups
Coaches and parents who play themselves can have their own weekly game too. Squadcard runs it: who's in from a link in the group chat, fair teams, and ratings from your mates after every game. Starting from nothing? See how to start a 5-a-side group.
Start a squadQuestions
Is under-8 football 5v5?
Yes. In England, from the 2026-27 season, under-8s and under-9s play 5v5 on matchday.
How long is an under-8 football match?
Up to 40 minutes, according to England Football. Leagues set the exact length within that.
Is there offside in under-8 football?
No. Offside doesn't apply at 5v5; it comes in at 9v9, which starts at under-12.
Can under-8s head the ball?
No. Deliberate heading isn't allowed at 5v5. It's an indirect free kick.
What size ball do under-8s use?
A size 3 ball.