Is a rugby pitch bigger than a football pitch?

Which is bigger: a rugby pitch or football pitch?

If you’re searching for a pitch for hire, especially for an outdoor sporting event such as a rugby or football match, you may be wondering which is most suitable to book and, within this, which is bigger: a rugby pitch or a football pitch? 

Is a rugby pitch bigger than a football pitch? 

Rugby pitches and football pitches have multiple subtle differences, such as: 

• Markings 
• Goals
• Size

The goal posts, for example, being some of the most striking and instantly recognisable differences between the 2, with rugby pitches possessing the ‘H’ shaped goals that tower above players’ and spectators’ heads, and football pitches housing net-based goals similar to those used in hockey. 

And, where the goals themselves are structurally very different, the way goals are scored within each game are also different; a goal being scored in rugby if the ball successfully travels over the middle of the goal, with a goal being scored in football if the ball successfully passes over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar. 

Alongside this obvious difference is the size of rugby and football pitches which, although fairly similar in size, are not the same! 

A rugby pitch, in fact, is bigger than a football pitch, but only relatively marginally. 

An adult-sized football pitch measures approximately 90 – 120 metres long and 45 – 90 metres wide (with a total playing area of 4,050-10,800 square metres), whereas an adult-sized rugby pitch is approx. 106 – 144 metres long by 68 – 70m wide (with a playing area of 7,208-10,080 square metres).

This means that rugby pitches are slightly longer than football pitches.

However, if you’re struggling to decide whether to book a rugby pitch or a football pitch for your next outdoor sporting event, the very best thing to do is talk to our school lettings experts who can help you make the most appropriate decision for your sporting event or activity. 

To talk to us, please click here or browse our sports facilities for hire.

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