Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. The rules of the game are the same for all countries and continents. And it does not matter whether it is a game between children on the street or the world championship.
The first “universal” soccer rules were adopted in 1863. And in 1886 the four British soccer associations set up the International Football Association Board (IFAB) with sole responsibility for devising and approving the game’s rules. FIFA joined the IFAB in 1913.
The laws of soccer are relatively simple.
But the requirements for a soccer field must strictly adhere to established standards for size and construction.
A soccer arena is a complex engineering project. And the higher the level of competition, the greater the requirements for compliance with the FIFA Rules of the Game.
Rules of measurement of the soccer pitch parameters
Traditionally, all soccer pitch parameters are measured in yards (British unit of measurement of distance), as it was the British associations united and founded the IFAB.
Measurements are taken from outside the lines, as they are part of the area that is bounded. The ratio of length to width of a soccer field depends on its purpose. It is important that the sideline of the court is longer than the goal line.
The marking rules and dimensions apply directly to the playing field. But when designing a soccer stadium it is important to consider the areas around the field behind the goal line and the technical areas behind the sidelines of the soccer field. Since the grass surface extends beyond the soccer field marking lines to provide for play and placement of the technical area. What is the size of a standard soccer field?
Maximum and minimum dimensions of a soccer field by markings: Width: minimum 45 meters (50 yards) and maximum 90 meters (100 yards). Length: minimum 90 meters (100 yards) and maximum 120 meters (130 yards). What is the field area in hectares: 0.405 hectares to 1.08 hectares (or 4050 to 10800 square meters). Important to remember! When designing a soccer field, you must provide space outside the field of play (runs or outs)
These safety zones for players are needed around the perimeter of the field of play. Runs or outs are the distance from the edge of the field of play to the first seats, which ensures the free movement of players and match officials.
The free space outside the area shall be with a flat surface. The size of runs (FIFA and UEFA requirements): a minimum of 1.5 meters around the perimeter of the field of play, of the same grass surface as on the field of play. Behind the grass surface is laid tiles or a running track. How many meters is the soccer field for international matches?
Length: minimum 100 meters (110 yards) and maximum 120 meters (130 yards). Width: minimum 64 meters (70 yards) and maximum 75 meters (80 yards).
Safety zone size: 7, 5 m behind the goal line and 6 m on each side of the field of play. Consequently, the total field area including the field of play and the surrounding area up to the first seating line is 120 m by 80 m.
For major events and important matches where a large influx of media is expected, it should be extended to 125 m by 85 m. The above recommendations for the parameters of the soccer pitch are extremely important for the FIFA World Cup. These are closely monitored by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Variants of soccer field coverings
With the development of modern high-tech industries, artificial grass is becoming increasingly popular. Although, until now, the classic soccer pitch surface is considered natural turf, which is very demanding in terms of maintenance and allows you to play only a few hundred hours a year! Ч
In order to fully train, soccer clubs need to “get hold of” several soccer fields for training. Artificial soccer grass replicates the properties of the live grass surface and there is no need to water, fertilize, and “treat” gaps.
That is why soccer clubs make all training fields with artificial turf on which you can play 24/7 in all weather 365 days a year. With the right choice of materials for soccer field surface (turf specifications, amount and size of sand fraction, crumb rubber) it is possible to easily replicate the parameters of a classic stadium with natural grass.
If artificial grass is used for international matches or between national teams belonging to FIFA, the turf must comply with the FIFA Quality Programme for soccer.