# Canada Soccer youth soccer rules: formats, match length and playing time (2026)

Canonical URL: https://pitchtime.app/rules/canada-soccer

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]

| Rule | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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]

| Rule | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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]

| Rule | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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]

| Rule | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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

[1] 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.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4] 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.

## 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)](/playing-time-calculator?format=3&length=30&roster=5) | 18:00 (60%) | Yes |
| [6 players (+3)](/playing-time-calculator?format=3&length=30&roster=6) | 15:00 (50%) | Yes |
| [7 players (+4)](/playing-time-calculator?format=3&length=30&roster=7) | 12:51 (42.9%) | No |
| [8 players (+5)](/playing-time-calculator?format=3&length=30&roster=8) | 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)](/playing-time-calculator?format=5&length=40&roster=7) | 28:34 (71.4%) | Yes |
| [8 players (+3)](/playing-time-calculator?format=5&length=40&roster=8) | 25:00 (62.5%) | Yes |
| [9 players (+4)](/playing-time-calculator?format=5&length=40&roster=9) | 22:13 (55.6%) | Yes |
| [10 players (+5)](/playing-time-calculator?format=5&length=40&roster=10) | 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)](/playing-time-calculator?format=7&length=50&roster=9) | 38:53 (77.8%) | Yes |
| [10 players (+3)](/playing-time-calculator?format=7&length=50&roster=10) | 35:00 (70%) | Yes |
| [11 players (+4)](/playing-time-calculator?format=7&length=50&roster=11) | 31:49 (63.6%) | Yes |
| [12 players (+5)](/playing-time-calculator?format=7&length=50&roster=12) | 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)](/playing-time-calculator?format=9&length=70&roster=11) | 57:16 (81.8%) | Yes |
| [12 players (+3)](/playing-time-calculator?format=9&length=70&roster=12) | 52:30 (75%) | Yes |
| [13 players (+4)](/playing-time-calculator?format=9&length=70&roster=13) | 48:28 (69.2%) | Yes |
| [14 players (+5)](/playing-time-calculator?format=9&length=70&roster=14) | 45:00 (64.3%) | Yes |

[Free lineup builder for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11](/lineup).

## Sources

Quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the [dataset](https://github.com/simonash227/youth-soccer-rules).

### U6-U7 (Fundamentals)

[Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition; mandatory for all member organizations in advance of the 2026 season)](https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/resources/grassroots/2024-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN.pdf)

> Match Duration (maximum): 30 minutes (2x15 min, or 4x7.5 min)

Retrieved: 2026-10-05

Additional source: [Canada Soccer releases updated Grassroots Standards (20 Feb 2025) - 'required to align ... by the start of the season 2026'](https://news.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-releases-updated-grassroots-standards)

### U8-U9 (Fundamentals)

[Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)](https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/resources/grassroots/2024-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN.pdf)

> Match Format: 4v4 (No GK) or 5v5 (With GK) ... Match Duration (maximum): 40 minutes (2x20 min or 4x10 min)

Retrieved: 2026-10-05

### U10-U11 (Learn to Train)

[Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)](https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/resources/grassroots/2024-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN.pdf)

> 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: 2026-10-05

### U12-U13 (Learn to Train)

[Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (2024 edition)](https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/resources/grassroots/2024-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN.pdf)

> 70 minutes (U12) (2x35 min or 4x 17.5 min); 80 minutes (U13) (2x40 min or 4x 20 min)

Retrieved: 2026-10-05

Additional source: [Canada Soccer Grassroots Program Guide (2026) - lists U10/U11 (7v7), U12 (9v9), U13 (9v9)](https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Canada-Soccer-Grassroots-Program-Guide-EN-26_final.pdf)

Corrections welcome: [report a correction with an official source](https://github.com/simonash227/youth-soccer-rules/issues).

## Plan your next game

Pitch Time is a youth soccer coaching app that automatically generates fair playing time lineups.

[Get the Pitch Time app](/get-the-app)

## FAQ

### 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).