Canada Soccer youth soccer rules: formats, match length and playing time (2026)
Canada Soccer publishes Grassroots Standards for member organisations. The dataset cites the 2024 edition, mandatory in advance of the 2026 season, including match formats and fair-playing-time guidance. The 50% target has an explicit U7 roster exception; retain that qualification when planning.
How to read this page
These pages use a sourced dataset snapshot. Check document dates for your season; official documents and applicable local competition rules take precedence. “Not specified” means the dataset has no value for that field, so check your local rules.
What are the rules for each age band?
U6-U7 (Fundamentals) [1]
| Age group | U6-U7 (Fundamentals) |
|---|---|
| Format | 3v3 |
| Players on field | 3 |
| Match length | 30 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 15 minutes |
| Period guidance | Maximum 30 minutes: 2 x 15 min or 4 x 7.5 min; maximum match time per player per day 60 minutes |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Not specified |
| Substitutions | Unlimited (on the fly or at designated stoppages). |
| Minimum playing time policy | Fair Playing Time for All Players; coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player. Exception: at U7, where the match-day roster allows more players, players may not reach 50% but should play as close to equal time as possible. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line: yes (halfway line). No offside. Sideline restarts by dribble-in or pass-in. |
U8-U9 (Fundamentals) [2]
| Age group | U8-U9 (Fundamentals) |
|---|---|
| Format | 4v4 (no GK) or 5v5 (with GK) |
| Players on field | 5 |
| Match length | 40 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 20 minutes |
| Period guidance | Maximum 40 minutes: 2 x 20 min or 4 x 10 min; maximum match time per player per day 80 minutes |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Not specified |
| Substitutions | Unlimited (on the fly or at designated stoppages). |
| Minimum playing time policy | Fair Playing Time for All Players; coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player. Grassroots players should not play less than 50% of a match. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line: yes (halfway line). No offside. Dribble-in or pass-in from sidelines. |
U10-U11 (Learn to Train) [3]
| Age group | U10-U11 (Learn to Train) |
|---|---|
| Format | 7v7 |
| Players on field | 7 |
| Match length | 50 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 25 minutes |
| Period guidance | Maximum 50 minutes: 2 x 25 min or 4 x 12.5 min; maximum match time per player per day 100 minutes |
| Ball size | 3 or 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Not specified |
| Substitutions | Unlimited (on the fly or at designated stoppages). |
| Minimum playing time policy | Fair Playing Time; target minimum 50% playing time for each player; grassroots players should not play less than 50% of a match. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line: yes (one third). No offside. Dribble-in or pass-in from sidelines (players up to U11). |
U12-U13 (Learn to Train) [4]
| Age group | U12-U13 (Learn to Train) |
|---|---|
| Format | 9v9 |
| Players on field | 9 |
| Match length | 70 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 2 × 35 minutes |
| Period guidance | U12 maximum 70 minutes (2 x 35 or 4 x 17.5); U13 maximum 80 minutes (2 x 40 or 4 x 20); maximum match time per player per day 120 minutes |
| Ball size | U12: 4; U13: 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Not specified |
| Substitutions | Unlimited (any stoppage). |
| Minimum playing time policy | Fair Playing Time; target minimum 50% playing time for each player up to U13. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Retreat line: No. Offside: Yes (Law 11 implemented at U12). Throw-ins from sidelines. |
Notes and qualifications
- U6-U7 (Fundamentals): Goalkeeper not specified for 3v3 (table only marks 'No GK'/'With GK' for the U8-U9 options) - set to null. Heading is not addressed anywhere in the Standards (null). Match-day roster ideal 6, max 9. Festival format; no scores or standings. Pop-up goals, field 18-22 m x 25-30 m. Back to age band
- U8-U9 (Fundamentals): players_on_field = 5 reflects the 5v5 option; 4 if the 4v4 (no GK) option is used. goalkeeper = null because both options are permitted. Match-day roster ideal 8-10, max 12. Festival format mandatory U6-U9. Back to age band
- U10-U11 (Learn to Train): Ball size listed as '3 or 4'. Match-day roster ideal 10-12, max 14. League format may start at U10 but without scores/standings. Field 30-36 m x 40-55 m. Back to age band
- U12-U13 (Learn to Train): match_length_minutes records U12 (70); U13 is 80. Match-day roster ideal 14, max 18. Field 45-55 m x 65-75 m. The 2026 Grassroots Program Guide also labels U12 and U13 as 9v9. Back to age band
What this means for your lineup
These equal-share examples use the recorded on-field count and match length, with 2, 3, 4 or 5 substitutes. For formats with options or a maximum, they use the dataset’s numeric count. Maximum durations remain maxima. Check roster limits in the rules and footnotes; example rosters may exceed them. Alongside the mathematical 50% result, check substitution windows, goalkeeper duties, eligibility conditions and any higher local minimum. Times are rounded to the nearest second.
U6-U7 (Fundamentals)
Using 3 on the field for 30 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 3v3.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 5 players (+2) | 18:00 (60%) | Yes |
| 6 players (+3) | 15:00 (50%) | Yes |
| 7 players (+4) | 12:51 (42.9%) | No |
| 8 players (+5) | 11:15 (37.5%) | No |
U8-U9 (Fundamentals)
Using 5 on the field for 40 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 4v4 (no GK) or 5v5 (with GK).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 7 players (+2) | 28:34 (71.4%) | Yes |
| 8 players (+3) | 25:00 (62.5%) | Yes |
| 9 players (+4) | 22:13 (55.6%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+5) | 20:00 (50%) | Yes |
U10-U11 (Learn to Train)
Using 7 on the field for 50 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 7v7.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 9 players (+2) | 38:53 (77.8%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+3) | 35:00 (70%) | Yes |
| 11 players (+4) | 31:49 (63.6%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+5) | 29:10 (58.3%) | Yes |
U12-U13 (Learn to Train)
Using 9 on the field for 70 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 9v9.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 players (+2) | 57:16 (81.8%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+3) | 52:30 (75%) | Yes |
| 13 players (+4) | 48:28 (69.2%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+5) | 45:00 (64.3%) | Yes |
Build a rotation with the free lineup builder for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11.
Sources
Quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the dataset.
U6-U7 (Fundamentals)
Match Duration (maximum): 30 minutes (2x15 min, or 4x7.5 min)
Retrieved:
Additional source: Canada Soccer releases updated Grassroots Standards (20 Feb 2025) - 'required to align ... by the start of the season 2026'
U8-U9 (Fundamentals)
Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)
Match Format: 4v4 (No GK) or 5v5 (With GK) ... Match Duration (maximum): 40 minutes (2x20 min or 4x10 min)
Retrieved:
U10-U11 (Learn to Train)
Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)
Canada Soccer requires 'Fair Playing Time' for all players with a target of each player playing at least 50% of each match up to U13.
Retrieved:
U12-U13 (Learn to Train)
Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)
70 minutes (U12) (2x35 min or 4x 17.5 min); 80 minutes (U13) (2x40 min or 4x 20 min)
Retrieved:
Additional source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Program Guide (2026) - lists U10/U11 (7v7), U12 (9v9), U13 (9v9)
Corrections welcome: report a correction with an official source.
Plan your next game
Pitch Time is a youth soccer coaching app that automatically generates fair playing time lineups.
Get the Pitch Time appFAQ
Which youth soccer formats does Canada Soccer list?
U6-U7 (Fundamentals): 3v3. U8-U9 (Fundamentals): 4v4 (no GK) or 5v5 (with GK). U10-U11 (Learn to Train): 7v7. U12-U13 (Learn to Train): 9v9.
What minimum playing time does Canada Soccer specify?
U6-U7 (Fundamentals): Fair Playing Time for All Players; coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player. Exception: at U7, where the match-day roster allows more players, players may not reach 50% but should play as close to equal time as possible. U8-U9 (Fundamentals): Fair Playing Time for All Players; coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player. Grassroots players should not play less than 50% of a match. U10-U11 (Learn to Train): Fair Playing Time; target minimum 50% playing time for each player; grassroots players should not play less than 50% of a match. U12-U13 (Learn to Train): Fair Playing Time; target minimum 50% playing time for each player up to U13.
How long are the youth soccer matches in these Canada Soccer records?
U6-U7 (Fundamentals): 30 minutes (maximum). U8-U9 (Fundamentals): 40 minutes (maximum). U10-U11 (Learn to Train): 50 minutes (maximum). U12-U13 (Learn to Train): 70 minutes (maximum).