Written by Danique Leuverink | Published on February 25, 2026
The KNVB is strongly committed to 9v9 football as a renewed match format within youth football. In the JO13 category, 9v9 is being tested through cup football in divisions 1 to 4. This development raises questions: is 9v9 a temporary pilot, or will it become a permanent match format within Dutch youth football? And more importantly: what does this mean for the design of sports parks and football facilities?
At SKOR, we closely follow these developments and translate trends in football into practical solutions for sports facilities. In this blog, we list the most important aspects.
Why 9v9 is increasingly being used
The introduction of this game format is not a random choice. Research and pilots show that 9v9 in JO13:
- Results in more ball touches
- Engages players more actively
- Stimulates technical and tactical development
- Allows late bloomers to perform better
- Creates more playing pleasure
9v9 therefore forms a logical intermediate step between 8v8 and 11v11 and better aligns with the development phase of young footballers.
What does 9v9 mean for pitch layout?
A new match format requires a different layout of the sports park. With 9v9 we see, among other things:
- A playing field from 16-meter line to 16-meter line (JO13)
- A fixed width of 56 meters
- An adapted penalty area (24 x 10 meters)
- Match goals of 7.32 x 2.44 meters
- Flexible substitution zones
- Temporary or permanent markings
Important to know: use of standard match goals for 9v9
What is not always immediately clear is that 9v9 football uses the regular goals of 7.32 x 2.44 meters. So the goal dimensions do not change. For many clubs, this means that existing goal structures remain suitable.
The adjustment is mainly in the field layout and positioning within the playing field, and not in the size of the goal. The focus thus shifts from material replacement to a smart arrangement of the field, so that different match formats can be efficiently facilitated side-by-side.
How does SKOR respond to this development?
At SKOR, when it comes to developments such as 9v9, we don't just look at the rules of the game, but especially at the impact on sports facilities. We contribute ideas on:
- Smart positioning of movable football goals
- Flexible field layouts for multiple match formats
- Future-proof design of sports parks
- Efficient use of field capacity
Because engineering, production, and assembly take place under one roof at SKOR, we can advise early on a sustainable and flexible layout during redevelopment.
360° goals for flexible pitch layout
A concrete example of how we respond to this development is the SKOR 360° goal. This portable football goal was developed for facilities where multiple game formats, including 9v9, can be organised flexibly alongside each other.
With official match dimensions and an integrated lifting system with swivel castors, the goal can be easily moved across the pitch. This creates a training environment that can be quickly adapted to changing match and training formats.
Impact of 9-a-side football
The expansion of the adapted match format within the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) indicates a clear direction of development. It aligns with a broader vision in which:
- Enjoyment of the game is central
- Development is guiding
- Competitions are set up to be future-proof
- Clubs remain organisationally agile
Whether 9-a-side will eventually be more widely implemented will depend on the pilot's outcomes. However, the movements within youth football are clearly visible.
Flexibility in girls' football
In girls' football, 9v9 has been a practical solution for clubs for a longer time. Teams with fewer than 12 players do not have to withdraw but can switch to 9-a-side. This ensures that:
- Competitions remain stable
- More matches are actually played
- Travel distances are limited
- Continuity is created within teams
Proactive thinking instead of reactive adaptation
Everything indicates that 9v9 football is more than a temporary pilot. It is part of a broader development within youth football, where flexibility and future-proofing are central. Those who invest now in a well-thought-out setup will ensure that sports facilities evolve with the football of the future.
Want to know more about 9v9 football?
With the rise of 9v9, it becomes clear that flexibility within sports facilities is increasingly important. Developments in the game require a setup that can adapt.
For advice on flexible pitch layouts or portable football goals, please contact us at +31 88 008 1100 or info@skor.nl.
Frequently asked questions
We have compiled the frequently asked questions about 9v9 football for you here.
What is 9v9 football?
9v9 football is a modified match format where teams of nine players compete against each other. The KNVB is testing this game format within the JO13 category through cup football. The goal is to better align playing enjoyment and development with the age phase of youth players.
Which football goals are used for 9v9 football?
In 9v9 football, regular football goals with official dimensions of 7.32 x 2.44 metres are used. The adaptation lies in the pitch layout and positioning, not in the size of the goal.
For sports facilities, this means that flexibility becomes more important. Solutions such as the SKOR 360° goal make it possible to easily move goals and efficiently facilitate different pitch layouts.
What are the field dimensions for 9v9 soccer?
In 9v9 football, the game is played from penalty area line to penalty area line, with a fixed width of approximately 56 meters. The penalty area measures 24 x 10 meters. The exact layout may vary per category according to KNVB guidelines.
Is 9v9 football mandatory in the Netherlands?
Currently, 9v9 football is being tested through a pilot within the JO13 cup football in divisions 1 to 4. Whether it will become a permanent match format within Dutch youth football depends on the results of this trial period.
