The future of youth football in ENGLAND

Over the past two years, we have been working with our stakeholders in the grassroots game to explore new and exciting opportunities that will further improve the football offer for young players across the country from the 2026/27 season onwards.

Our comprehensive consultation process with the grassroots game has been enhanced by a study into playing formats for youth players across other European nations, which has been complimented with our own research and testing.

As a result, from the start of the 2026/27 season, we are planning to introduce new updates to the game, with some planned adjustments to the ages and stages of formats in youth football. We are taking these steps to help maximise activity levels and the technical skill development of all young people.

We will also be introducing a new entry format for the youngest players in the pathway, where they will have more time with the football, increased time on the pitch, and greater variety in their football experience.

OUR AMBITION FOR THE GRASSROOTS GAME

• We are committed to being at the forefront of positive change, ensuring we provide a game that every young player cn love, and enables them to reach their full potential.
• This means continuing to evaluate and refine the football offer for youth players to ensure it remains the activity of choice for current and future generations
• Our ambition is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and active game for every young player, every week, with increased physical activity and more touches of the football to improve their technical ability.

New updates to the game are planned for the start of the 2026/27 season.

OUR RESEARCH AND INSIGHT WITH THE GRASSROOTS GAME

Our extensive research into best practice includes a study of youth football in over 40 European countries looking at their structures and approaches, helping us compare and learn from our counterparts

• Developing our understanding of the impact of proposed adjustments has included a partnership with Liverpool John Moores University through which we studied more than 400 grassroots games, from U6-U14, allowing us to better understand the technical and physical returns of different playing formats
• We have engaged regularly with grassroots stakeholders through a comprehensive consultation process. This has included face-to-face meetings and online surveys as part of our ‘a conversation about our game’ national consultation
• We have also gathered views from County FAs, clubs, leagues, players, coaches, parents and match officials from across the grassroots community.

• Over the next 18 months, we will continue to work with the grassroots game to help everyone understand the changes and how they will be implemented from the 2026/27 season
• More details will be provided to the grassroots game in early 2025 and we will be delivering briefings across the country in the Spring. The FA’s Director of Football Development, James Kendall, said: “It has been brilliant to hear from the grassroots football community on the future of youth football and to understand how we can continue to improve the playing experience for young players enjoying the game.”Our approach is very much about evolution, not revolution, and we believe that by introducing a new entry format for young players and adjusting the formats played by age groups, we will further improve youth football in England so it can continue to provide an enjoyable, developmental and inclusive experience for everyone involved.”We look forward to working in partnership with the grassroots game to ensure that these changes are communicated clearly, effectively and well ahead of implementation, so that together we can ensure that every child can enjoy football and reach their full potential.”