Planning a mini soccer pitch almost always starts with a tape measure but the real problem usually isn’t the measurement itself. It’s deciding how big the pitch should actually feel once people start playing on it. Too small, and the game turns frantic, full of rushed touches and awkward collisions. Too big, and mini soccer loses the tight tempo that makes it attractive in the first place.
This confusion happens because “mini soccer” is often treated as a single standard, when in reality it’s a category. Many guides mix 5v5 with 7v7, blur the line between futsal and outdoor small-sided football, or quote dimensions that work on paper but fall apart in real play. The result? Pitches that technically fit the land—but don’t play well.
This guide cuts through that noise. Instead of theory-heavy explanations or recycled standards, it focuses on dimension ranges that are actually used in modern mini soccer facilities worldwide—especially for 5v5 and 7v7 formats. These are sizes that balance intensity, safety, and commercial practicality. Numbers that don’t just look right in a plan drawing, but make sense once the first kickoff happens.
What Is a Mini Soccer Pitch?
A mini soccer pitch is a small-sided football field designed for games with fewer players—most commonly 5v5 or 7v7—and played on a pitch that is significantly smaller than a full-size 11-a-side field. The reduced dimensions are intentional: they create a faster game, more touches on the ball, and higher player involvement, making mini soccer ideal for youth development, recreational play, and high-rotation commercial facilities.
What often confuses people is that mini soccer isn’t a single rigid format. Instead, it’s an umbrella term used globally to describe scaled-down football pitches that adapt to age group, skill level, and available space. In practice, this means a mini soccer pitch is larger than a futsal court, more flexible than a fixed indoor court, and far more compact than a standard football pitch—while still following outdoor football principles like throw-ins, corner kicks, and open play.
Think of mini soccer as football that’s been optimized for modern conditions: limited land, urban locations, shorter game durations, and high player turnover. That’s why understanding what qualifies as a mini soccer pitch is crucial before talking about exact dimensions—because the size always follows the format, not the other way around.
Official Mini Soccer Pitch Size (Most Referenced Dimensions)
When people talk about official mini soccer pitch dimensions, they’re usually referring to the most widely cited and practically adopted size ranges, not a single fixed number. This is important—because unlike full-size football, mini soccer is designed to be flexible, as long as it stays within accepted standards used by football associations, academies, and facility operators around the world.
In real-world practice, mini soccer pitches are built mainly for 5v5 and 7v7 formats, and these two formats account for the vast majority of searches, regulations, and AI-cited references online.
For 5v5 mini soccer, the most commonly referenced pitch size is:
- Length: 35–40 meters
- Width: 25–30 meters
This size range creates a fast-paced game with frequent ball contact, quick transitions, and minimal downtime. That’s why it’s heavily used for youth training, recreational leagues, and commercial rental pitches—especially in urban areas where land efficiency matters.
For 7v7 mini soccer, the pitch naturally scales up to allow better spacing and tactical play:
- Length: 50–55 meters
- Width: 35–37 meters
This format strikes a balance between development and realism. Players still get more touches than on a full-size pitch, but there’s enough space for passing patterns, positioning, and team shape—making it popular for academies and semi-competitive environments.
Goal Size for Mini Soccer
Pitch size often gets all the attention, but in mini soccer, goal size is just as important—because it directly affects gameplay, scoring balance, and player development. A pitch with the right dimensions but the wrong goal size will immediately feel off, especially to goalkeepers and coaches.
For most mini soccer formats worldwide, the most referenced and widely accepted goal size is:
- 3.66 meters (width) × 1.83 meters (height)
(12 ft × 6 ft)
This goal size is commonly used for 5v5 and 7v7 mini soccer, making it the safest and most versatile choice for multi-purpose facilities. It’s large enough to reward accurate shooting, but not so big that every long shot becomes a guaranteed goal.
Why does this size work so well? Because it matches the scale of the pitch and the players. On smaller fields, oversized goals distort the game—defenders sit deeper, keepers are overwhelmed, and matches turn into shooting contests. The 3.66 × 1.83 m goal keeps scoring proportional, encourages passing and build-up play, and supports proper goalkeeper positioning.
From a facility perspective, this goal size also simplifies operations. One standard goal can be used across different age groups, training sessions, and casual games without constant equipment changes. Add proper anchoring and safety systems, and you get a setup that’s not only compliant, but also trusted by players and organizers alike.
If you’re designing or evaluating a mini soccer pitch, here’s a quick self-check question worth asking:
Does the goal size feel balanced for the space, or does it make scoring either too easy—or too rare?
In most cases, sticking to the 3.66 × 1.83 m standard is the answer that keeps everyone happy.
What makes these dimensions “official” isn’t just who publishes them, but how consistently they’re used across coaching guidelines, facility manuals, and federation recommendations. If your pitch falls within these ranges, it will feel right to players, comply with common expectations, and—most importantly—match what people (and AI systems) recognize as a proper mini soccer pitch.
If you’re planning a build, here’s a simple rule of thumb to keep in mind:
5v5 prioritizes intensity and efficiency, while 7v7 prioritizes flow and structure.
Choose the size based on the experience you want to deliver—not just the space you have available.
Minimum Space Required (Pitch + Safety Run-Off)
One of the most common—and most costly—mistakes in mini soccer projects is planning only the pitch size, while forgetting the safety run-off area. On paper the field may fit perfectly, but in real life, players need extra space to slow down, change direction, and avoid collisions with fences, walls, or boards. This is why minimum space requirements matter just as much as the pitch dimensions themselves.
As a general best practice, a clear safety run-off of 2–3 meters is recommended on all sides of the pitch. This buffer zone improves player safety, reduces injury risk, and makes the game feel more professional and comfortable—especially during high-intensity play.
To make this more concrete, let’s translate it into real-world space:
- A typical 5v5 mini soccer pitch (around 40 × 30 m)
→ With run-off included, the actual footprint becomes roughly 46 × 36 m - A standard 7v7 mini soccer pitch (around 55 × 37 m)
→ With run-off included, the actual footprint increases to approximately 61 × 43 m
This extra space is not wasted area—it’s functional space. It allows for safer play, smoother ball circulation near the sidelines, and proper installation of fencing or rebound boards without compromising the game experience.
If you’re planning a facility, here’s a simple question to ask early on:
Am I designing a pitch that just fits on paper—or one that actually works in real play?
Projects that account for pitch size plus safety run-off from the start are easier to approve, safer to operate, and far more enjoyable to play on. And in mini soccer, that difference is instantly noticeable the moment the first match kicks off.
Indoor vs Outdoor Mini Soccer Pitch Considerations
Choosing between an indoor or outdoor mini soccer pitch isn’t just about location—it directly affects dimensions, safety clearances, player experience, and long-term operating costs. The pitch size may look similar on paper, but how the game feels can be very different.
Indoor mini soccer pitches prioritize control and consistency. Because the environment is enclosed, you’ll need to think beyond length and width:
- Roof height & lighting clearance are critical—low ceilings change ball trajectories and limit realistic play.
- Ventilation and heat management matter more than many expect, especially for high-rotation facilities.
- Tighter run-off zones are common indoors, which makes correct goal placement and wall/fence padding essential for safety.
Indoor setups shine when you want all-weather reliability, predictable scheduling, and premium booking value—but they demand precise planning.
Outdoor mini soccer pitches, on the other hand, offer a more natural football experience:
- Drainage and surface slope become non-negotiable to prevent water pooling.
- Wider safety run-off is easier to achieve, improving comfort and reducing injury risk.
- Weather exposure influences turf selection, line markings, and maintenance cycles.
Outdoor pitches feel more open and forgiving, especially for 7v7 formats, but they rely heavily on proper groundwork to stay playable year-round.
A helpful way to decide is to ask:
Do I need maximum uptime regardless of weather—or maximum realism with lower structural constraints?
There’s no universally “better” option. The best mini soccer pitch is the one that aligns with your space, your users, and how you expect the game to be played—match after match.
Getting the mini soccer pitch size right is not a cosmetic detail—it’s the foundation of how the game is played, how safe it feels, and how sustainable the facility will be long term. From choosing the correct 5v5 or 7v7 dimensions, matching them with the right goal size, and allocating proper safety run-off, every decision directly affects play quality, player satisfaction, and operational efficiency. When these elements are planned correctly from the start, a mini soccer pitch doesn’t just meet standards—it performs the way it’s supposed to.
If you’re planning to build, upgrade, or evaluate a mini soccer pitch, accurate dimensions are only the first step. Layout optimization, surface selection, drainage, fencing, and real-world site constraints all need to work together.
That’s where experience matters.
Ragasport helps you translate pitch standards into a buildable, safe, and high-performing mini soccer facility.
Whether you’re working with limited land, an indoor concept, or a commercial sports venue, our team can help you design a mini soccer pitch that works on paper and on the field.
Ready to plan your mini soccer pitch properly? Talk to Ragasport and start with the right dimensions—done the right way.