01
I want to play football.
Browse football activities nearby. Check the time, pitch, description, and people joining. If there's a place available and the game feels right, join the group. You can start on your own.
See how to find a gameLocal football. Real connections.
Find your people.
Play football.
Want a game but don't have a team? Find people to play football with, join a local match, or organise your own. From 5-a-side to the full eleven.
Free app for iOS & Android. Game availability varies by area.
On the same pitch.
Whatever your kind of game.
One game. Two ways to get started.
You don't need a ready-made team.
Maybe you're looking for a place in a game. Maybe your group needs one more player. Start with what you need, and bring the people together.
02
We need more players.
Create a football activity with a place and time. Say whether you're playing 5v5, 8v8, or another format, how many players you need, and whether you're missing a goalkeeper. Share the game with your group.
Organise a game in SportsPalFrom “anyone up for a game?” to kick-off.
Your next game starts here.
- 01
Look for football near you.
Open SportsPal and choose football. Narrow your search by distance and date to find a plan that fits your day.
- 02
Check the plan. Meet the group.
Read the details before joining. Use the activity chat to agree on ability, teams, costs, and what to bring.
- 03
No suitable game? Start one.
Create a football activity. Add the format, pitch, and time to the description so other players know exactly what you're planning.
From a small crew to the full eleven.
5-a-side, 8-a-side, or 11-a-side?
Find players for your game.
Whether you call it football, soccer, or a pickup game, a clear plan helps people join. Put your team size in the activity title or description, then agree on the details together.
5x55 a side · 10 on the pitch
Find players for 5-a-side.
Complete the ten by saying how many players you already have and how many you need. Agree on whether goalkeepers stay in goal or everyone takes a turn.
6x66 a side · 12 on the pitch
Bring your 6-a-side group together.
Set a meeting time for both teams of six. If you're bringing substitutes, make clear how many extra players can join and how rotations will work.
7x77 a side · 14 on the pitch
Meet teammates for 7-a-side.
Say whether you need individual players or a group that can join together. Agree on the level and how you'll split into balanced teams before kick-off.
8x88 a side · 16 on the pitch
Fill the missing spots for 8-a-side.
Give sixteen players time to plan by sharing the pitch and start time early. List the positions you're missing, and confirm attendance in the activity chat.
9x99 a side · 18 on the pitch
Get your 9-a-side game organised.
Be clear about the pitch, duration, and substitutes. If you're joining with an existing team, mention it so the other side knows what to expect.
10x1010 a side · 20 on the pitch
More players. One shared plan.
For 10-a-side, agree on the bench and substitutions. Check with the venue that the pitch is suitable and that your group can play this format.
11x1111 a side · 22 on the pitch
Find a team or players for 11-a-side.
Bring together both elevens and any agreed substitutes. Say whether it's a friendly, which positions you need, and how any pitch costs will be shared.
Player totals include goalkeepers and refer to the players on the pitch at one time. Substitutes, rules, and costs are agreed with the organiser. Available formats depend on the activities created by the community.
The whistle goes. The group stays.
From your first game to your weekly crew.
Meet people through football and keep in touch for the next match. SportsPal Clubs and chats give your group a place to organise what comes next, whether it's a regular kickabout or a friendly with another team.
Explore SportsPal ClubsYour neighbourhood. Your kind of football.
Make a local game easier to join.
New in town? Returning to football? Looking for a regular group? Start with a place and schedule that work for you, then find the people to share them with.
Find a game you can actually get to.
Check the exact pitch and meeting time, rather than just the city. A game near home, work, or university can be easier to turn into a weekly habit. Use distance and date to narrow your search in SportsPal.
Choose a group that fits your pace.
Ask whether it's casual, beginner-friendly, or competitive. Tell the organiser if you're joining alone or bringing friends, and check the format, costs, and equipment before committing.
Start the game you'd like to find.
If there isn't a suitable activity nearby, create one and invite people you know. Activity availability depends on the local community; this page doesn't show a live match schedule.
Before kick-off.
A few things worth knowing.
How do I find people to play football with near me?
Download SportsPal, choose football, and browse activities by distance and date. Read the description to check the format, pitch, and group. Join a suitable activity with an available place, or create your own if you don't find one.
Can I join a football game alone, without a team?
Yes. You can join as an individual when an activity accepts participants and has a place available. Check the description and speak with the organiser about how teams will be formed.
Can I organise 5v5, 6v6, 7v7, 8v8, 9v9, 10v10, or 11v11?
Create a football activity and put your format in the title or description. Add the pitch, time, level, and players you need. Confirm with the venue that the space is suitable for your chosen team size.
How do we find one more player or a goalkeeper?
Create an activity with a clear description, such as “One more player needed for 5-a-side” or “Goalkeeper wanted for 8-a-side.” Include who's already playing, the level, time, pitch, and any costs so people know what they're joining.
Can beginners join a casual football game?
The level and pace depend on the group. Check the description and ask the organiser before joining. If you're setting up a game, say whether it's beginner-friendly, casual, or competitive.
Is SportsPal free, and does it book the pitch?
SportsPal is free to download and use. Pitch hire or participation costs, if any, are arranged separately for each game. Creating an activity doesn't reserve a pitch: the organiser needs to confirm the venue and tell the group about the arrangements.
Are there football games available in my area today?
Current activities are shown inside SportsPal and change with the local community. Check your area and date in the app. This page is a guide, not a live game listing, and doesn't guarantee that a match is available nearby.
Your next “anyone up for a game?” starts here.
Find your people.
Get in the game.
Download SportsPal free for iOS or Android.