Soccer and American football are two of the world’s most popular sports, boasting massive global fan bases and dedicated players of all ages. But while both involve running around on a field trying to score, the similarities often end there.
This article dives into a comparison between a soccer field vs football field, exploring their dimensions, key features, and whether or not they can be used interchangeably. We’ll break down the differences in size, shape, markings, and even the goalposts, giving you a clear picture of what sets these two playing fields apart.
Soccer field vs. football field: Dimensions and shape
While both soccer and football are played on rectangular fields, the size and dimensions can differ quite a bit.
Soccer field dimensions
A soccer field can vary in size, depending on the level of play. Here’s a look at the ranges that are considered acceptable:
- Length: 100 to 130 yards (international matches are typically 110 to 120 yards)
- Width: 50 to 100 yards (international matches are typically 70 to 80 yards)
So, a youth soccer field will be smaller than a professional one.
Football field dimensions
An American football field is more standardized than a soccer field. The dimensions are:
- Length: 120 yards (100 yards between the goal lines, plus 10-yard end zones on each side)
- Width: 53 1/3 yards
Shape comparison
Soccer fields tend to be more variable in their rectangular shape, while football fields are more standardized. This means a soccer field can be a wider rectangle or a narrower one, depending on the preferences of the league or organizers. Football fields, on the other hand, are always the same width.
Field Markings: A Comparative Analysis
The markings on a soccer field and a football field are quite different, reflecting the different needs of the two sports.
Soccer Field Markings
Key soccer field markings include the center circle, the penalty area, the goal area, the touchlines, and the goal lines. These markings define specific areas for gameplay, such as penalty kicks and offsides, and each marking plays a specific role in guiding the game.
Football Field Markings
Key American football field markings include yard lines (every 10 yards), hash marks (1-yard intervals), end zones, and sidelines. These markings are crucial for tracking downs and yardage, and they help referees determine progress and penalties.
Differences
While both types of fields are rectangular, the markings on a soccer field are less frequent and are mainly used to define zones. Football field markings are more frequent and far more precise because they’re used to measure yardage and determine the exact placement of the ball.
Goalposts: Size and Structure
The goalposts are another area where you’ll find some significant differences between soccer fields and football fields.
Soccer Goalposts
A soccer goal is 8 yards (7.32 meters) wide, and the crossbar is set at a height of 8 feet (2.44 meters). These goalposts are usually made of metal or wood, with a net attached to the back to catch the ball when a goal is scored.
Football Goalposts
The uprights on a football goalpost are 18 feet 6 inches (5.6 meters) wide and sit atop a crossbar that’s 10 feet (3 meters) off the ground. The uprights themselves extend another 35 feet (10.7 meters) into the air.
These goalposts are usually made of metal, and they have a “sling shot” or “offset” design, with the base of the structure set back from the goal line to give players a bit more room.
Key Differences
Soccer goalposts are smaller, simpler, and designed to simply mark the space where a goal can be scored. Football goalposts are larger and more complex, built for a sport where kicking accuracy is a frequent and important way to score points.
Surface comparison: Natural grass vs. artificial turf
Both soccer and football fields can be surfaced with either natural grass or artificial turf, and each has its pros and cons.
Soccer fields
Natural grass is more common on soccer fields. Players tend to prefer natural grass because it allows the ball to roll more smoothly and provides greater comfort for the players. In 2019, only six Major League Soccer (MLS) teams played their home games on artificial turf.
Football fields
While some football fields are natural grass, artificial turf is more common in American football because it’s more durable and requires less maintenance. In 2019, 19 National Football League (NFL) teams used natural grass, while 12 teams used artificial turf.
Can you play soccer and football on the same field?
Technically, yes. But there are a few reasons why you generally don’t see it, especially at the professional level.
First, there’s the dimensions. Soccer fields are significantly wider than American football fields. This difference alone makes true interchangeability impossible.
Then you have to consider the markings. All those lines, numbers, and symbols painted on the field are specific to each sport. Trying to play either game with the other’s markings visible would be confusing, to say the least.
Finally, there’s the surface. While both sports can be played on natural grass, American football is often played on artificial turf. Most professional soccer players prefer natural grass.
For all these reasons, using the same field for professional games is generally impractical.
Soccer field dimensions across different levels of play
Just as the playing field is different in American football than in soccer, the size of a soccer field varies according to the players’ ages.
High school soccer fields
High school soccer fields usually run from 100 to 120 yards in length and from 55 to 80 yards in width. A typical size would be 110 yards long by 60 to 70 yards wide.
Youth soccer fields
Soccer fields for younger players are a lot smaller than regulation size, and they vary a lot depending on the age of the players. For kids under 6, the field will be significantly smaller than it is for the 6- to 8-year-old or 9- to 11-year-old age groups. The idea is to make the field more manageable for smaller children.
College soccer fields
College soccer fields are usually built to international standards, so they run from 100 to 120 yards long and 70 to 80 yards wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a soccer field in FIFA?
FIFA regulations state that a standard soccer field for international matches should be between 100-110 meters (109-120 yards) long and 64-75 meters (70-82 yards) wide. This range allows for some flexibility, but most professional fields aim for dimensions within this range.
Is a soccer field bigger than a football field?
In terms of overall area, a soccer field is typically larger than an American football field. While a football field is a consistent 360 feet long (including end zones) and 160 feet wide, soccer fields have variable dimensions that generally exceed these measurements.
What is the difference between football and soccer?
This is a common point of confusion! “Football” can refer to two different sports. In most of the world, football means soccer, a sport played with a ball primarily using the feet. In the United States, football refers to American football, played with an oval ball using hands and feet with a focus on strategic plays and physical contact.
Which field is longer, soccer or football?
A soccer field is generally longer than the playing area of an American football field. While the total length of a football field, including the end zones, is 360 feet, the actual playing field between the end zones is only 300 feet (100 yards). Soccer fields typically exceed this length, ranging from 328 to 360 feet.
Summary
Soccer fields and American football fields are very different. A soccer field is a rectangle with specific dimensions, markings, and goalposts. A football field, on the other hand, has a different shape, yard lines, and goalposts located at the end of a narrower playing area. The two sports are even played on different surfaces.
Because of these key differences, it’s difficult to use the same field for both sports. Players, coaches, and fans need to understand these differences to fully appreciate each game.