Important Information
Season 2026/27 Information
Future Fit Changes
The FA's Future Fit programme outlines the playing formats for each age group over the coming seasons. The table below shows the scheduled format changes across all age groups.
| Age Group | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U7 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 3v3 | 3v3 | 3v3 | 3v3 |
| U8 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 |
| U9 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 |
| U10 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 |
| U11 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 | 7v7 |
| U12 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 |
| U13 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 | 9v9 |
| U14 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 |
| U15 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 |
| U16 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 | 11v11 |
* The 2026/27 column is highlighted to indicate the current/upcoming season.
Player Age Eligibility
The relevant age for each Player is determined by their age as at midnight on 31 August of the relevant Playing Season i.e. children who are aged 6 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season (together with those who attain the age of 6 during the Playing Season) will be classed as Under 7 Players for that Playing Season. Children who are aged 7 as at midnight on 31 August in a Playing Season will be classed as Under 8 Players for that Playing Season, and so on.
Notwithstanding the above, a child is permitted to play up in the age group above their or her chronological age group, irrespective of any changes of format or competition structure, save that a child who attains the age of 6 after 31 August is permitted to play only in the Under 7 age group, and may not play in the Under 8 age group, for that Playing Season. Girls in all female teams may also be permitted to play an age group down in accordance with Rule 4(F).
Age Group Rule Changes 2026/27
This is draft and subject to Standard codes of rules which have not been published yet.
Click on each age group below to see the detailed breakdown of current setup vs Season 2026/27 changes.
| Category | Previous Setup 2025/26 | Season 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Format |
| 3v3 |
| Pitch |
| Subject to numbers, QUARTER of a 5v5 pitch per 3v3 game (assuming 4 games being played simultaneously)
5v5 pitches |
| Pitch Dimensions |
| Min 15m x 10m
Max 20m x 15m |
| Max Squad Size |
| Recommended 6 |
| BYFL Fixture Setup |
| No change |
| Game Setup |
| This is draft and subject to Standard codes of rules which have not been published yet.
For example, it could look like this:
Playing a series of 3v3 games (can be adjusted subject to numbers), of 6-10 minutes
Each team of (recommended) 6 would be split into 2 "sub-teams", meaning between the 4 overall teams there would be 8 "sub-teams"
Teams involved:
Club 1 - Team 1 – Sub-Team 1 & Sub-Team 2
Club 1 - Team 2 – Sub-Team 1 & Sub-Team 2
Club 2 - Team 1 – Sub-Team 1 & Sub-Team 2
Club 2 - Team 2 – Sub-Team 1 & Sub-Team 2
Opposing Club "Sub-Teams" would rotate so in principle each team plays 4 games of max 10 minutes |
| Kick Off |
| No change |
| Ball Size |
| No change |
| Powerplay |
| No |
| Offsides |
| No change |
| Max Subs on bench |
| Recommended None as all players should be playing |
| Throw In / Kick In |
| No change |
| Headers |
| No change |
| Players Aged 6 |
| Must only play 3v3 format and must not play outside of the U7 age group.
Unless a child is 6 prior to 31st August midnight he/she may play U7 or U8. |
Playing Up - Key Considerations
This document provides guidance on the FA's regulations regarding players playing out of their age group, with key considerations around player development, facilities, and 3v3 experience.
Download PDFPlease note: The BYFL Handbook remains the authoritative source of rules on all matters. The information above is provided as a summary reference only — in the event of any confusion or discrepancy, the BYFL Handbook should be consulted.