Youth football age groups and formats in Northern Ireland

Formats by age group

Under 6 to Under 9 football is built around round-robin or festival play, not one long fixture: a minimum of four games, and up to seven on festival days. From Under 10 the format is a single game — three 15-minute periods at Under 10 and Under 11, and two halves from Under 12 upwards.

What the published guidance says about Under 14

The Irish FA's Game Overview is not fully consistent about the Under 14 format. Its 9v9 section is headed Under 12 and Under 13, but the ball-size and duration rows in that section also list Under 14, giving a size 5 ball and two halves of 35 minutes.

The following 11v11 section is headed Under 14 to Under 18, but its match-duration list starts at Under 15. Because those parts of the same document point in different directions, FindMeFootball does not present either 9v9 or 11v11 as a confirmed national Under 14 format.

If your child or team is Under 14, check the format with the relevant youth league or tournament organiser before entering. What the Game Overview does state directly is a size 5 ball and two halves of 35 minutes for Under 14. Under 15 and above is clearly shown within the 11v11 stage.

Pitch sizes

How the game changes as players get older

The format number is only part of the picture. Several rules that parents may assume are standard are deliberately different in the younger Northern Irish age groups.

• Under 6 and Under 7 use four nets rather than two, and there are no corners. Restarts are a dribble-in or pass-in.
• Under 8 to Under 11 keep the dribble-in and pass-in restarts. Corners can be self-started, and goal kicks use a possession line.
• Under 12 to Under 14 play under the Laws of the Game, with offside and throw-ins in place of pass-ins. For Under 14, check the youth league for the playing format.
• Under 15 and above is 11v11 football under the Laws of the Game, with offside and throw-ins.

If there is no official referee at Under 12 and above, the head coach from each team tosses a coin to decide who will referee the game.

At Under 6 and Under 7 there is no referee. Game supervisors call fouls from the side and play restarts with a self-start, with opponents at least three yards away. The distance rises to five yards at Under 10 and Under 11 and seven yards at Under 12 and Under 13.

Powerplay

Northern Ireland uses a Powerplay rule to keep one-sided games playable. It applies at Under 6 to Under 11 only.

• If a team goes four goals behind, it can put an extra player on.
• If the lead drops below four again, that team takes a player off before the game restarts.
• There is no Powerplay in 9v9 or 11v11 football.

Wales has a rule with the same name but different mechanics, including a second extra-player step at a six-goal margin. Do not assume one country's version applies in another.

Playing time and substitutions

Across the framework, all players should play at least half of the overall game time. Rolling substitutions are used, so a player who has been taken off can return later.

There are also rotation requirements in the younger age groups. Players rotate positions each game. A nominated goalkeeper must play at least one game outfield at Under 8 and Under 9, and at least one period outfield at Under 10 and Under 11.

Heading guidance in Northern Ireland

The Irish FA published youth heading guidance (opens in a new tab) in February 2020 for age groups from Under 6 to Under 18. It focuses on reducing repetitive heading in training rather than changing the way matches are played.

The guidance says there should be no heading practice in the foundation phase, covering primary-school-age players. Heading is then introduced gradually through the development phase from Under 12 to Under 16. Because this guidance predates the Youth Football Framework and can be updated separately, coaches should check the latest Irish FA position before planning heading practice.

How Northern Ireland differs from the rest of the UK

Northern Ireland starts with 3v3 at Under 6 and Under 7. Wales and Scotland begin their youngest formats at 4v4, while England's 3v3 stage begins at Under 7.

The bigger differences are in how the younger game is run. Northern Ireland has no referees and no offside before Under 12. Its Under 6 and Under 7 format also uses four small goals and no goalkeeper, while younger goal kicks and restarts are designed to keep the ball in play and encourage possession.

Do not assume a rule from one nation applies in another. Similar-looking formats can have different restart, officiating and competition rules.

Important for tournament organisers

Match the format, ball size, goal size and game duration to the age group before advertising an event, and state them clearly on the listing. Under 6 to Under 9 football is designed around round-robin or festival play, with a minimum of four short games rather than one long fixture.

Competition rules can also vary by youth league. Before advertising winners, league tables, trophies or knockout stages for younger age groups, check the rules of the relevant league and, where necessary, confirm the position with the Irish FA.

What this means when choosing a tournament

Check the individual tournament listing rather than assuming it matches this page exactly. The Youth Football Framework sets the national direction, while a particular league or event may also have its own sanctioned arrangements.

Tournament details on FindMeFootball are organiser-declared. Check the format, age eligibility and competition rules with the organiser before entering or travelling. Our guide to choosing the right tournament level covers how to judge whether an event suits a squad.

Official guidance and updates

This guide is based on the Irish FA Youth Football Framework (opens in a new tab) and its Game Overview. The Irish FA also publishes separate youth heading guidance, first issued in February 2020. Clubs, coaches and tournament organisers should also check any instructions from their youth league.

The Game Overview is published on the Irish FA's youth football site. That site was not responding when this page was last checked on 10 August 2026, so it is named here rather than linked — we would rather tell you what the document is called than send you to a link that does not open.

Find a tournament in Northern Ireland

Search tournaments in Northern Ireland by location, age group, format and level, then check the individual listing before entering. You can also search from where you are.

Organising a tournament? Check the correct age-group format and game duration above, then create a free tournament listing on FindMeFootball.