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    Under 18s Football

    16–17 years old · 11v11 format · Senior pathway — transition to open-age football, FA Level 1 coaching eligibility

    By the Away Day Parent editorial team · Last reviewed · Editorial process

    Under 18s rules in brief: U18 football is played 11v11 on a 110×70 yards pitch with a Size 5 ball, 45-minute halves, and full offside law.

    What are the Under 18s rules? U18 format at a glance

    Format
    11v11
    Pitch size
    110×70 yards (100×64 m)
    Goal size
    24×8 ft (full-size)
    Ball size
    Size 5
    Match length
    45-minute halves (90 mins total)
    Offside
    Full offside applies
    Retreat line
    No
    Heading allowed
    Yes (with FA limits)

    U18 key facts

    • U18 is played 11v11 on a 110×70 yards (100×64 m).
    • Matches are 45-minute halves (90 mins total), with a Size 5 ball.
    • U18 uses full offside law.
    • Heading is permitted in matches, with FA limits on training at U18.

    Source: The Football Association.

    Under 18s — what to expect

    U18 is the final youth tier. Players become eligible for senior open-age football and can begin the FA coaching qualification ladder (Playmaker, Level 1). Many U18 squads play in regional youth-alliance leagues feeding into senior non-league football.

    The FA's development phase for Under 18s is Senior pathway — transition to open-age football, FA Level 1 coaching eligibility. That means training sessions should weight ball mastery, decision-making, and enjoyment over tactical complexity, with progressively more game-realistic small-sided practices as players move through the season.

    Season & bank holidays (England & Wales)

    Upcoming bank holidays can affect fixtures and training — check with your club before travelling.

    • Fri, 25 Dec 2026 — Christmas Day
    • Mon, 28 Dec 2026 — Boxing Day
    • Fri, 1 Jan 2027 — New Year’s Day
    • Fri, 26 Mar 2027 — Good Friday

    For parents of Under 18s

    If this is your child's first season at U18, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U18 11v11 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.

    Common questions at U18: how much should my child train each week? When should I let them play in goal? What if they aren't enjoying it? See our advice hub and FAQ for age-appropriate guidance.

    Find U18 football near you

    Clubs offering U18

    Filter our 3,300+ grassroots clubs by age group and region.

    Leagues catering for U18

    Browse 400+ youth leagues across England, Scotland, Wales and NI.

    Away day grounds

    Parking, facilities, and parent tips for 950+ youth football grounds.

    Pathway from U18

    How U18 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.

    ← Previous age group

    Under 17s

    11v11 · Performance — full adult format, adult laws, pathway to senior football