The Official Size of a Soccer Goal

Depending on whether your team is on offense or defense, a soccer goal can appear huge, or too small to kick the ball past the goalkeeper. In reality, the official size of the goal is the same for high school, college and international competitions.

Soccer Federations

The International Football Federation, or FIFA, oversees soccer on the international level. The U.S. Soccer Federation, which is headquartered in Chicago, is a member of FIFA. On the college level, the National Collegiate Athletic Association enforces the rules of soccer. The National Federation of State High School Associations oversees the rules of soccer at the high school level. All these organizations have the same specifications for the soccer goal.

Official Specifications

A soccer goal consists of two uprights connected by a crossbar. The uprights are 8 yards, or 24 feet, apart and the lower edge of the crossbar is 8 feet above the ground. The goalposts and the crossbar are made of wood or metal and are square, elliptical or round. They are no less than 4 inches thick and no more than 5 inches thick. The goalposts and crossbar are white.

Nets

FIFA soccer rules state that you can attach a net behind the goal as long as it doesn't interfere with the goalie. A net is part of the goal in college and high school soccer. The net must be securely attached to the posts and not have any holes or openings that allow the ball to escape. The top of the net should extend 2 feet behind, and level with, the crossbar.

Other Goals

Goals used for youth or indoor soccer are not the same size as a standard soccer goal. Youth soccer goals are typically between 6.5 and 7 feet tall and 16.5 to 21 feet wide. An official indoor soccer goal is 6 feet 6 inches tall and 12 feet wide.