ECFA Ground Grading Matrix
Area
Category 1 – Similar to National League
Structure Step 6
Category 2 – Similar to National
League Structure Step 7
Category 3 – Similar to FA
Charter Standard Clubs
Ground



Minimum capacity of 50
Clubhouse desirable
Parking should be available on or adjacent
to the ground



No minimum capacity
Clubhouse desirable
Parking should be available on or
adjacent to the ground



No minimum capacity
Clubhouse not required
Appropriate parking
should be provided
Perimeter
Boundaries

A permanent perimeter of a minimum of
1.1m on all sides of the pitch that may be
occupied by spectators.
A minimum of 1.83 metres, ideally 2 metres,
between the touchline, goal line and the
pitch perimeter barrier.
Other safe means than a permanent
perimeter can be provided in front of seating
areas, as long as access to the pitch is
restricted.
The playing surface must be grass, though
playing matches on artificial grass pitches
are acceptable as a back-up to ensure
fixtures are played.
The maximum slope allowable should not
exceed an even gradient of vertical to
horizontal 1: 41 in any direction (or in
accordance with the FIFA Performance
Quality Standard).
The playing surface must be maintained to
the highest possible standards.

As a minimum, there must be post and
rope surrounding the pitch on all those
sides that may be occupied by
spectators
A minimum of 1.83 metres, ideally 2
metres, between the touchline, goal
line and the pitch perimeter barrier.

Barriers restricting
access to the pitch are
highly recommended.
The FA’s Respect
Spectator’s Area should
be used as a guide.
The playing surface should be grass
where possible, though artificial grass
pitches will be permitted.
The maximum slope allowable should
not exceed an even gradient of vertical
to horizontal 1: 41 in any direction
The playing surface should be
maintained to the highest possible
standards.



Pitch
Standards








AGP or grass pitches
are acceptable and
must be in line with the
FA’s guidelines.
Category 4 – Similar
to FA Charter
Standard Clubs

Clubhouse not
required

Appropriate
parking should be
provided

Barriers restricting
access to the pitch
are highly
recommended.

The FA’s Respect
Spectator’s Area
should be used as
a guide.
Category 5 –
Appropriate
facilities for format

Clubhouse not
required

Appropriate
parking should
be provided

Where possible,
spectator areas
should be set
out.

Refer to The
FA’s Respect
Spectator’s Area
should as a
guide.
Category 6 –
Appropriate
facilities

Clubhouse not
required

No parking
requirements



Playing surface
will be decided by
the partner
provider


Playing
Area

The playing area should be a minimum of 64
meters x 100 meters & must conform to the
requirements of the Laws of the Game.

The playing area must be a minimum
of 45 meters x 90 meters and must
conform to the requirements of the

The playing area is to
be in accordance with
the requirements of The

Decided by
partner provider

Appropriate
playing surfaces
for the format of
football must be
provided.
To include:
Grass pitches,
Artificial Grass
Pitches, Sports
Halls, Sand
based astroturfs,
Multi Use Games
Areas.
ECFA will
provide
guidelines for
small sided
formats.
ECFA will
provide
guidelines for



Where
possible,
spectator
areas should
be set out.
Refer to The
FA’s Respect
Spectator’s
Area should as
a guide.
Playing
surface will be
decided by the
partner
college.
Decided by
partner
college.

Technical
Area

Refreshme
nts





Changing
facilities
(Players)




Changing
facilities
(Match
Officials)


Goalposts and goal net supports should be
of professional manufacture and conform to
the relevant safety requirements and to the
requirements of the Laws of the Game (see
also Appendix 1.1).
Two covered trainers’ boxes clearly marked
“Home” and “Away or Visitors” should be
provided unless adequate provision is made
in a seated stand.


Refreshment facilities should be provided at
the ground, college or the clubhouse.
Refreshments must be made available for
visiting officials and guests.
Refreshments must be made available free
of charge, post-match to the players and
coaching staff of both teams.
High quality, fresh, cooked food should be
made available catering for any dietary
needs.
Soft drinks should also be made available as
well as tea and coffee.

Separate, secure and well maintained
dressing rooms must be provided for both
teams, comprising of:
A shower area comprising of at least 4
showerheads
1 wash hand basin located outside the
shower area.
At least 1 WC in a cubicle
There should be a treatment table which is
clean and in good condition in each dressing
room unless there is a separate medical
room available for the use of both teams.

Match officials should have access to their
own separate, secure and well maintained
(and separate for male & female) changing
facilities with access to their own showers
and wc cubicle.
There should be an audible electronic







Laws of the Game.
Goalposts and goal net supports of
professional manufacture and conform
to the requirements of the Laws of the
Game (see also Appendix 1.1).
Portable trainers’ boxes are permitted
and should be securely fixed when in
use. It is desirable for a Technical Area
to be marked out in accordance with
the guidance contained in the ‘Laws of
the Game’ booklet.
Refreshment facilities must be
provided at the ground, college or the
clubhouse. These facilities may be of a
temporary or mobile type.
Refreshments must be made available
free of charge post-match to the
players and coaching staff of both
teams.
High quality, fresh food should be
made available catering for any dietary
needs.
Soft drinks should also be made
available as well as tea and coffee.
FA’s Laws of the Game.
each format

n/a

Decided by
partner provider

n/a

n/a

Refreshment facilities,
allowing for a minimum
of a drink, must be
provided at the ground,
college or the
clubhouse.

Decided by
partner provider

Refreshment
facilities,
allowing for a
minimum of a
drink, must be
provided at the
ground, college
or the clubhouse.

Decided by
partner college
Separate, secure and well maintained
dressing rooms must be provided for
both teams with:
A shower area comprising of at least 3
working showerheads for each team.
Adequate toilet facilities exclusively for
the use of players.
Shared shower facilities are not
acceptable.

Appropriate, separate
dressing rooms must be
provided for both teams

Decided by
partner provider

Appropriate
dressing rooms
must be provided

Decided by
partner college
Match officials should have access to
their own separate, secure and well
maintained (and separate for male &
female) changing facilities with access
to their own showers and wc cubicle.

Match officials should
have access to their
own separate, secure
and well maintained
(and separate for male
& female) changing

Decided by
partner provider

Adequate
changing
facilities must be
provided.

Decided by
partner college
warning device (bell or buzzer) in working
order located in the match officials’ dressing
room, linked to the players‟ dressing rooms.
Standard
of Officials
PA System
Medical



X3 officials to be provided.
Referee must be a minimum of Level 5.
Assistants must be a minimum of Level 7

A PA system or Tannoy must be in place to
be used on match days.

A stretcher must be provided for the removal
of injured players from the pitch.
(See also Appendix 1.2)
facilities


X3 officials to be provided.
Referee must be a minimum of Level
6.
Assistants must be a minimum of Level
8.


N/A

There must be a suitable qualified
person (minimum F.A. Save a Life) in
attendance.
All clubs must provide first aid
equipment at their ground.


X 1 official in place who
should be level 7.
Level 8 Referees are
acceptable where a
designated ‘mentor’ is
in attendance as well
(mentor can be a
member of staff)


n/a

n/a


There must be a
suitable qualified
person (minimum F.A.
Save a Life) in
attendance.
All clubs must provide
first aid equipment at
their ground.

Decided by
partner league



Decided by
partner league


Member of staff
or student
(enrolled on FA
Football Futures)
is acceptable
Standard of
referee must be
communicated at
least x2 days
prior to fixture
n/a

Minimum of
student
enrolled on FA
Football
Futures.

n/a
Appropriately
qualified first
aider must be on
site

Decided by
partner college
Appendix
1.1 Laws of the Game
http://www.thefa.com/~/media/my-football-resources/referee/laws-of-the-game-2012-13.ashx
1.2 MEDICAL
All clubs must provide first aid equipment, including a stretcher, for the use of players and spectators. Its location in the ground, if other than in
a dedicated treatment room, should be clearly marked by notices placed in the dressing rooms for teams and match officials.
There must be a nominated and suitably qualified person in attendance to assist with spectator problems unless the St John Ambulance Brigade,
Red Cross Society or other capable agency are in attendance. The requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds are for one first aider
per 1000 anticipated spectators, with a minimum of two.
If a crowd of less than 2000 is anticipated, known and practiced arrangements should be in place to summon either a doctor or NHS ambulance
alternative. For crowds of over 2000, an experienced crowd doctor should be in attendance.
NB The above in no way purports to be a comprehensive list of Health and Safety issues which it is the responsibility of a club to address. Clubs
are recommended to arrange regular safety audits conducted by persons with the appropriate expertise.