GROUND GRADING
ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS LETTER TO CLUBS - JULY 2025
Unless stated, requirements relate to clubs in both Divisions
(A) Playing Area:
The preferred pitch size for HPFL fixtures is 100m x 64m. Pitches must reach the minimum within the Laws of the Game at 90m x 45m. Any club seeking promotion to Step 6, please note the minimum is 100x64 metres.
Goal post and goal net supports are to be of a professional manufacture and to meet the requirements of the Laws of the Game.
Metal cup hooks (on goal posts) are not permitted.
The distance between the touchline/goal line and perimeter is to be not less than two (2) metres
(B) Pitch Perimeter Barrier:
Barriers on all (4) sides of a solid construction and securely fixed to the ground are preferable to the Competition. They should be at a recommended height of 1.1m, with a minimum width of one (1) metre hard standing on one side, at least 80m in length. As a minimum, there must be post and rope surrounding the pitch on all those sides that may be occupied by spectators. Division One clubs seeking promotion to the Senior Division who have a fixed perimeter barrier on all four sides may be considered more favourably to a side applying who does not.
Barriers installed at new grounds should be purpose designed, with integrated infill panels as required and be made from UPVC or coated metal.
There should be a minimum of 1.83m run off, but ideally 2m between the touchline/ goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier.
(C) Dugouts & Technical Areas
Two (2) dugouts - either fixed or portable - clearly marked ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ are to be provided for HPFL League and Cup fixtures. They should be situated an equal distance apart either side of the halfway line a minimum distance of three (3) metres apart. It is mandatory for each dugout is to be able to accommodate eight (8) people on fixed seats or benches.
Technical areas must be marked around both dugouts. The technical area must be at least 1m (1 yd) from the touchline.
It should not extend more than 1m (1 yd) on either side of any designated seating area. If the area cannot be marked with a white line marker, cones may be used to show the technical areas. The Technical Area should only include management, coaching staff and substitutes named on the team sheet. Only two (2) from each team are allowed to stand and coach at any one time.
(D) Playing Surface Standard:
To be of grass of a high standard, level and free from surface depressions and excessive undulations or Football Turf pitches (3G)
Senior Division: The maximum slope is to be 1:41 in any direction.
(E) Pitch Maintenance:
A grounds person with suitable ground maintenance equipment and line marker is required for regular upkeep of the playing surface.
(F) Protection of Players and Officials:
Clubs are to provide a safe passage for players and Match Officials from the dressing rooms to the field of play which should be adequately stewarded.
(G) Floodlighting:
Where floodlights are installed they must have an average lux reading of 120. Tests must be carried out every two (2) years.
For new installations the average lux reading shall be 180.
(H) Security of Tenure:
Where a Club does not own the freehold of their ground then evidence of adequate security of tenure must be provided.
(I) Boundary of the Ground:
A fully enclosed single pitch ground, or if a multi pitch ground only one (1) to be in use.
(J) Toilet Facilities (Spectators – Separate from players):
Gents’ urinals 2: Gents’ W.C’s 1: Ladies W.C’s 2.
In addition there must be at least one (1) hand basin in each gents and ladies toilet area; warm air hand driers and/or paper towels must be provided.
Disabled toilet facilities must be provided.
The provision of toilet facilities within a Clubhouse will be acceptable if these are available at all times on match days.
All toilet areas are to be in working order and maintained to a high level of cleanliness.
(K) Dressing Rooms:
It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that all dressing rooms are secured by lock and key.
There must be separate dressing rooms for home and away teams together with separate dressing rooms for male and female Match Officials.
The minimum size of dressing rooms excluding showers/toilets shall be;
Players – 12 square metres
Match Officials – 4 square metres
Minimum number of shower heads in each dressing room shall be;
Players – 3
Match Officials -1
Minimum number of W.C’s in each dressing room shall be;
Players – 1
Match Officials 1
Minimum number of wash basins in each dressing room shall be;
Players – 1
Match Officials – 1
There must be a treatment table in each player’s dressing room.
A stretcher and first aid equipment must also be available.
All dressing rooms must be heated, well ventilated and free from damp and be maintained to a high level of cleanliness.
Where new changing rooms are being planned or existing rooms refurbished the following minimum size of dressing rooms excluding showers/toilets should be provided:
Players - 18 square metres
Match Officials – 6 square metres together with facilities for mixed gender Match Officials
(L) Ground Refreshment Facilities:
There shall be a refreshment room or social club available for players and officials, together with refreshment facilities for spectators 30 minutes prior to kick off and during the game. These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile type.
(M) Unobstructed Access for Emergency Vehicles
(N) Medical:
There must be a suitably qualified person - minimum FA Introduction to First Aid in Football - in attendance with access to a first aid kit/ medical bag.
A defibrillator must be easily accessible at the ground.
(O) Safety Officer:
All Clubs must have a nominated Safety Officer.
(P) Car Parking:
To be adequate on - or adjacent to - the ground.
Completion Dates:
For any building works required to meet the enhanced minimum requirements, clubs will have until 31st March 2027 to have these completed. Clubs which fail to do so may be relegated from the Senior Division or declined promotion to the Senior Division from Division 1.
From the 2027-28 season onwards any work required to maintain Senior Division status or if you are looking to be promoted to the Senior Division will need to be completed by the 31st March of that playing season.
RESOURCES:
FA Ground Grading - NLS Feeder League Grading
(Minimum Requirements)
Grounds Advisory Partner
