Soccer field vs football field: A comparative analysis of size, markings, and goal posts

Soccer field vs football field: A comparative analysis of size, markings, and goal posts

Sospeter Itolondo
June 1, 2023 at 9:55 AM
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Soccer is the most popular game in the world, with football being one of the most popular sports in the United States of America. Both games have different sizes and field markings, depending on the rules and their utility. Read on for the comparison of a soccer field vs a football field.

soccer field vs a football field
Aerial view of a soccer field(top) and a football field(bottom). Photo: Wachirawit Jenlohakit(top) and Songphol Thesakit(bottom)(Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Soccer can be played unprofessionally on any field with reinforced goalposts; the same cannot be said for football, as its field has unique markings that should be professionally and accurately done. How long is a soccer field? Here is a comparison between a pro soccer field vs a football field.

How big is a soccer field vs a football field?

One similarity between the two is that they are both rectangular. The two pitches also have goalposts on both sides despite having different utilities. Here is a detailed comparison of a professional soccer field vs a football field:

Soccer field vs football field dimensions

Is a soccer field bigger than a football team? In comparison between the length of the soccer field vs that of a football field, the prior is longer, which is 130 yards or 118 meters. The pitches can vary in length, be as small as 100 yards or 91 meters. On the other hand, football pitches are 120 yards long or 109 meters.

pro soccer field vs a football field
A girl playing soccer on a soccer field. Photo: Rebecca Nelson
Source: Getty Images

A gridiron pitch has a width of 53.3 yards or 48.8 meters, while the other has a width of 100 yards or 90 meters. However, the soccer pitch's width varies and can be as small as 50 yards or 45 meters. In the soccer field vs football field debate about size, the former is usually larger.

Soccer field vs football field overlay

Most soccer pitches are made from natural grass, with others composed of artificial turf. Many pitches are made from a hybrid of natural grass and artificial turf. American football fields, on the other hand, are either made from natural grass or artificial turf, no hybrid.

Regulation soccer field vs football field

The regulation pitch has goalposts on each side measuring 8 yards or 7.32 meters wide and 8 feet or 2.44 meters high. Each goalpost has a net, so it is clear when a goal is scored.

How big is a soccer field vs a football field?
A photo of an American football field at night. Photo: Darrin Klimek
Source: Getty Images

A football pitch also has two goalposts on each side. The posts, however, have a peculiar shape, with a curved metal bar holding a crossbar with vertical bars suspended in the air facing upwards. Its height was 44.9 feet or 13.7 meters high, with the bar standing at 34.7 feet or 10.6 meters.

The crossbar is at a 3-meter or 9.8 feet height with a width of 5.6 meters or 18.3 feet.

World Cup soccer field vs football field size

The competition is among the most coveted, and their measures are usually strict. According to FIFA, the pitch of play should measure 105 meters long or 68 meters wide. The World Cup soccer field dimensions are bigger, even by FIFA regulations, compared to the American football field.

Soccer field vs American football field

The soccer pitch has fewer markings compared to the football field. The gridiron pitch has two end zones on each side of the pitch and is divided into 10-yard intervals to each side. The 10-yard lines are further divided into smaller 5-yard lines with more minor one-yard markings.

Soccer field vs football field dimensions
A tactical top view of an American football field. Photo: Bela Art
Source: Getty Images

On the other hand, the soccer pitch has a line dividing it into two parts with a 10-yard circle at the centre where the game is officially started. There are 44-yard penalty areas on both sides, with a penalty spot at the 12-yard mark from the goal line. There is an arch at the edge of the penalty area.

Inside the penalty area is a 20-yard goal area near the goalpost. A soccer pitch also has four corner spots at the edge of each side of the pitch, which are used when a corner is taken. The area has a flag.

How many players are there in a football game?

A football game usually has 11 players on the pitch, ten on-field players, and one goalkeeper on each side, totaling 22. A team usually has defenders, midfielders, forwards, and a goalkeeper.

American football, on the other hand, also has 11 players but lacks goalkeepers. American football has defensive linemen, quarterbacks, offensive linemen, running backs, fullbacks, tight ends, wide receivers, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties, kickers, punters, kick returners, punt returners, and long snappers.

No, the two games are not related. American football evolved in the United States and is a hybrid of rugby. Their first game was played on the 6th of November, 1869. Soccer has a long history going back to as far as 3000 years in Mesoamerican cultures. Its modern form, however, came complete in England in the mid-19th century.

professional soccer field vs football field
American football players run into the field for a game while fans cheer on. Photo: Thomas Barwick
Source: Getty Images

While a football field is more complicated than a soccer pitch regarding markings, soccer pitches are usually more extensive than the former. Soccer can be played in any area, even a football field, while football is less versatile.

READ ALSO: LFL football salaries: how much do they take home on average?

Sports Brief also reported on the income the LFL football players take home. The league is gaining popularity mainly due to the players' peculiar but interesting style of play and physicality.

What do LFL football players earn? Click on the link above to find out.

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