By admin 
The world and millions await the most popular sport to take center stage with the FIFA World Cup. Besides that, the latest sports and social media, as well as live streaming, connect us to soccer, or in your country, football, in over 200 countries. We get excited about all the goals scored and all the player stats. However, have you ever asked yourself what the biggest stat of all is? How big is an actual legitimate soccer field? This guide takes you from A to Z on the dimensions of a real-life soccer field.
Soccer Fields Are Really Wide
If you are not familiar with soccer, fields are generally some of the largest playing surfaces for the world’s most popular sport. In fact, most soccer fields are wider than an NFL field. Here’s a quick comparison.
NFL football fields are 53 yards wide and 100 yards long. In contrast, soccer fields, according to soccer and football experts like BettingTop10.co.nz, can exceed an NFL field by over 20 yards.
Soccer is so unique not because of the amazing players, but because each field can vary in length and width. The major soccer regulators, IFAB/FIFA, have an acceptable field length of 110 to 120 yards. Even more staggering is that these soccer dimensions don’t account for the additional dimensions of each goal portal. Because each field has different dimensions, it certainly adds new meaning to the term’ home-field advantage’.
The Goal Area Dimensions
Soccer fans live for their teams’ and heroes’ goals. IFAB regulations specify a specially guarded rectangular area 6 yards wide. The goal area is important because it is where the goalkeeper must be during goal kicks, and free kicks are taken from it. When you factor in the goal lines and posts, the width is an impressive 20 yards.
The Penalty Area Dimensions
The standard penalty area, which is also rectangular, goes 18 yards from the goal line and is 44 yards wide. The penalty area outlines where the goalkeeper may use his hands and where penalty kicks are taken from.
Why Natural Grass Is an Extra Dimension
Fortunately, most professional football fields feature natural grass. However, some fields work with a hybrid. Without a doubt, an extra dimension worth the investment for a successful soccer team is playing on natural grass.
For starters, natural grass greatly reduces injury. This is very important because soccer is more physical than you realize, especially when going after a loose ball. When players tumble onto the field, landing on natural grass is easier to absorb than on fake grass, especially astro turf.
Natural grass is an extra dimension to consider because it is cooler than artificial grass. With competitive football leagues like La Liga and the Premier League, the temperatures can become sweltering, so having the coolness of the field can help hydrate the players in the heat of battle.
Final Remarks
Hopefully, after reading this guide, it is more clear that each soccer field is truly special. The width of a professional soccer field can range between 70 and 80 yards wide. Also, the length, depending on the particular field, can be between 110 and 120 yards wide. The goal area from post to post can be up to 20 yards wide, with the goal area where the goalkeeper must defend being six feet wide.
The only way to truly appreciate the greatness of a pro soccer field is to attend one in person. Natural grass is essential to the home team’s success. Not only do balls bounce off more naturally with better angles, but they also greatly reduce injury.