Grassroots football guides

Everything here is written for the people who actually keep grassroots football running: the parent working out whether an event suits their child, the volunteer running a team on a Sunday morning, and the organiser trying to fill a tournament.

Start with the question you need answered, or jump to the section for your role. You can read any guide without signing up.

Rules and formats

If you need to know what format an age group should be playing, start here. The rules are set separately in each of the four UK nations and they are not the same.

Age group rules across the UKA comparison of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a route into the full rules for each.

EnglandThe FutureFit pathway, formats, ball sizes and the matchday heading rule.ScotlandThe Player Journey by year of birth, plus the separate Scottish Women's Football age bands.WalesThe FAW Small-Sided and Junior Football Regulations.Northern IrelandThe Irish FA Youth Football Framework.

Starting and joining football

Working out where to begin, and what to ask before committing to a club.

Safeguarding in grassroots footballAnd who to speak to if something worries you.

Playing, tournaments and opportunities

The things that come up once football is part of the week.

Parent guide to youth football tournamentsWhat to expect on the day, and what to take.Choosing the right tournament levelSo a team is neither out of its depth nor unchallenged.Safeguarding in grassroots footballAnd who to speak to if something worries you.

If you coach or manage a team

Most team managers are volunteers doing this alongside a job. These guides focus on the practical decisions around entering and attending a tournament.

Team manager checklist for tournament dayWhat to confirm before you enter, and what to take with you.Choosing the right tournament levelFor the squad you actually have.Age group rules for your nationIncluding squad limits and match lengths.

If you run a club

For committee members, secretaries and anyone who has been asked to sort out the club's online presence.

Safeguarding in grassroots footballUseful for seeing what parents are being told to ask.

If you organise tournaments

Listing a tournament on FindMeFootball is free.

How to list a football tournamentIncluding what to include so teams can decide quickly.Running tournament day on FindMeFootballAdding teams, generating fixtures, entering results and sharing the live schedule.Age group rules for the nation where the event is playedPlus any league or association requirements that apply.

Not sure where to start?

You are checking a format or an age group — Age group rules across the UK
You are weighing up whether an event is right for a team — Choosing the right tournament level
You are running an event and want teams to find it — How to list a football tournament

Find a club near you

Search grassroots clubs by location and age group. Where information is available you can check it before contacting the club.

Browse clubs

Find a tournament near you

Search tournaments, festivals and camps by location, age group, format and level, then check the individual listing before entering.

Search near me

Organising a tournament?

Create a free tournament listing on FindMeFootball and let teams find your event.

List your event