From the start of the 2026-27 season, we will be launching a new progressive framework for grassroots youth football in England, which aims to further improve the experience for young players across the country – giving them more time on the ball, more time on the pitch and increasing their physical activity levels.

Over the past two years, we have been working with our stakeholders across the grassroots game to explore the future of youth football, alongside the physical and technical impact of our current formats on young players.

This comprehensive consultation process has been enhanced by a study into playing formats for youth players in other European nations and is complimented with our own research and testing within the grassroots game across England.

In partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, we have studied more than 400 grassroots games, from U6-U14 level, which has allowed us to better understand the technical and physical returns of different playing formats for young players and the impact of proposed adjustments.

FutureFit - Updates to Grassroots Youth Football in England