Are men’s and women’s football (soccer) goals the same size? [Fact checked]

There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether or not the goal dimensions in football should be the same for both the men’s and women’s game. So, what’s the deal? Are men’s and women’s soccer goals the same size? 

Let’s find out!

Are men’s and women’s soccer goals the same size?

The answer is yes. In 11-a-side games, the goalpost dimensions in football are eight-foot-high and 24-foot-wide. This is the official soccer goal measurements and are the same for both the men’s and women’s game.

In 7 or 9-a-side, the soccer goal post sizes official measurements are 7-foot-high and 16-foot-wide. Here too, the soccer goal dimensions are the same for both the men’s and women’s game.

And in 5-a-side soccer, the goals are 4-foot-high and 12-foot-wide. Again, these dimensions apply to both the men’s and women’s game.

So there you have it. The goal dimensions in football are the same for both the men’s and women’s game.

And these professional goal measurements are used whether you’re a recreational or professional player.

Some people argue that the dimensions of the goalposts should be different for women because of the physical differences between men and women.

Others argue that the dimensions should be the same because football is a sport that should be equal for all players, regardless of gender.

We think that there are both pros and cons to having the same size goals.

Is there a difference in goal size between men and women?

No, both men and women try and score goals, braces and hat-tricks in the same sized goals.

It turns out, there’s no deep hidden meaning behind this gender-neutrality either – it just comes down to practicality.

First and foremost, both men’s and women’s games are governed by FIFA, and FIFA prefers to have as few different rule sets as possible for international competition.

This way, teams know what they’re up against when they travel to another country to compete. Having different size football goal posts for each gender would only add an unnecessary level of complexity. 

Not to mention, men and women aren’t that different when it comes to height (at least not when compared to other differences between genders).

The average man is about 5’9″, while the average woman is about 5’4″. That difference in height might seem like a lot, but when you consider that a regulation soccer goal is only 8 feet tall from crossbar to goal line, it doesn’t make much of a difference.

In order to score, players need to be able to kick the ball high enough to make it over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar – something that both men and women are more than capable of doing. 

Are all soccer goals the same size?

No, all soccer goals are not the same size, so there’s never a straight answer to ‘How wide is a soccer goal?’!

In fact, they come in a variety of sizes, and you can also measure soccer net size by age, depending on the level of play.

For example, regulation goals used in professional and international matches are 24 feet wide and 8 feet tall.

However, goals used in smaller recreational leagues and youth soccer goals may only be 16 or 18 feet wide.

Similarly, junior-sized goals are typically 6 or 7 feet tall, while mini-goals can be as small as 4 feet tall.

So whether you’re playing at the highest level or practising some shooting drills with under 9s youth soccer, there’s a soccer goal that’s just the right size for you.

What size soccer goal do I need for training?

While the size of a soccer goal may not seem important, it can actually have a big impact on training sessions.

For example, small goals are great for working on accuracy, while larger goals can help players practice their power.

When deciding what size goal to use for training, it’s important to consider the age and skill level of the players.

Youth players will likely need smaller goals, while adults or more experienced players can benefit from larger targets.

Ultimately, the best way to determine the ideal size is to experiment and see what works best for your team. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to find the perfect soccer goal for your training needs.

Watch and learn: What size soccer goal is right for me?

Here’s a great video that shows you the right size football goal for you based on whether you’re training or playing!

Does women’s football use the same ball as men?

Again, the answer is yes – both men and women use the same size of ball in football. This is typically a size 5 football although it does depend on the age of the players.

Size 5 is the official size for all adults aged 15 and over, while size 4 is for ages 8-14, size 3 for ages 5-7, and size 2 for ages 3-4.

There are also smaller sizes available for younger children aged 2 and under. It’s important to use the right sized ball for your age group as it will help improve your skills and techniques.

The only exception to this rule is Futsal, which is a variation of football that’s played indoors with a smaller, heavier ball.

Do women play on the same soccer size pitches as men?

Yes, they do. When it comes to soccer pitches, both men and women are on an even playing field – literally!

The size of a soccer pitch varies depending on the type of game you’re playing:

• If you’re playing 5v5 – the pitch size is 40yds x 30yds
• If you’re playing 7v7 – the pitch size is 60yds x 40yds
• If you’re playing 9v9 – the pitch size is 80yds x 50yds
• If you’re playing 11v11 – the pitch size is 110yds x 70yds

Whatever gender you are (or aren’t!) and whatever size game you’re playing, the pitch will always be the same size. So everyone is on an equal footing – no gender bias here!

The final score.

So there you have it, the final score on whether mens and women’s soccer goals are the same size – they are!

As well as using the same sized ball and pitches, men and women also share the same offside rules, goal celebrations and of course, love of the game.

Now all that’s left to do is get out there and enjoy some football!