Formats by age. 2026-27.
Last updated 3 November 2026 · By Davide Domenghini
From the 2026-27 season the FA moved the formats down an age. Under 7s play 3v3. Under 8s and under 9s play 5-a-side. Under 10s and under 11s play 7-a-side. Under 12s and under 13s play 9-a-side. Under 14s and up play 11-a-side.
Smaller games, played for longer. That's the idea.
Open the boardWhich format does each age group play?
The FA formats from 2026-27, and what each age group played before.
| Age group | From 2026-27 | Before | Leagues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 7s | 3v3, no keepers | 5-a-side | No |
| Under 8s | 5-a-side | 5-a-side | No |
| Under 9s | 5-a-side | 7-a-side | No |
| Under 10s | 7-a-side | 7-a-side | No |
| Under 11s | 7-a-side | 9-a-side | No |
| Under 12s | 9-a-side | 9-a-side | Yes |
| Under 13s | 9-a-side | 11-a-side | Yes |
| Under 14s and up | 11-a-side | 11-a-side | Yes |
What changed in 2026-27?
The FA calls it FutureFit. It was announced in December 2024, with the detail in February 2025, and it starts this season.
Three things. Under 7s start on 3v3, with no keepers and no subs. Every format after that is played a year longer. And 11-a-side starts at under 14s, not under 13s.
Under 9s, under 11s and under 13s feel it most. They stay on the smaller format another season.
Can my team play a smaller format?
Yes. The FA formats are the most a team can play at that age, not the least. A smaller format is always allowed.
Your league may set its own. Check with them.
Which age group is my team?
It goes by age on 31 August, the start of the season. A player who is 9 on 31 August plays under 10s that season.
When do results count?
Up to under 11s there are no leagues. From under 8s, teams can play in up to three trophy events a season. Everyone plays.
From under 12s, results count and league tables start. Coaches play to win.
Where the rules come from
Checked against the FA's own pages. Leagues and county FAs can add their own rules.