All rugby full-size pitches, junior fields and international rugby grounds contain specific dimensions and markings. If you are a coach, player, match official, or stadium planner, you should know about accurate rugby field dimensions.
That’s exactly what you will learn in this expert guide. We will tell you the rugby ground’s size, importance of lines and how you can mark the field in an easy way.
Dimensions of a Rugby League Field
Rugby Pitch Length
You can measure rugby pitch length from goal line to other goal line. Generally, you will find it 100 meters long. Moreover, the field just does not end at the goal line. But, you will also see extra space behind it which is called the in-goal area. That space can be up to 22 meters in length.
Width of Rugby Pitch
The distance between two touchlines of a rugby field is known as its width. It is 68 to 70 meters wide. This tells you how much space players have to run and pass. The rules also say, the field cannot be wider than 70 meters.
Perimeter of a Rugby Field
Basically, perimeter is the total distance around the rugby field. To find it, you can add all the sides together (lengths and widths). A normal rugby union field is usually 100 meters long and 70 meters wide.
That means, the total perimeter is approx 540 meters. Further, if you combine the in-goal areas at both ends, then the perimeter can be longer. It depends on how deep the in-goals are.
Are All Rugby Pitches the Same Size?
The answer is no. Rugby pitches can be different in length and width (especially the in-goal areas). While the main playing area has set limits. You will find some fields may be a little bigger or smaller according to stadium space availability.
Standard Rugby Pitch Size
For international matches, rugby fields have a standard size set by the World Rugby organization. You must follow field size rules to make your game fair and safe.
Minimum Rugby Pitch Dimensions
According to sports law, the minimum length of a rugby field can be 94 meters. However, you can set the lowest width as 68 m. Remember that measurement only includes the main playing part of the field. You don’t need to count extra space behind the goal lines for shortest dimensions.
How Big is a Full Size Rugby Pitch?
Rugby pitch maximum size is in the range of 100 meters long and 70 meters wide for the main playing area. You will find a goal area between 6 and 22 meters deep. This means, the overall length of the field (including in-goal areas) can be up to 144 meters. But width should be the same as we mentioned in the width rule (68 – 70 m).
Rugby Pitch Markings Explained
Rugby union pitch markings are the lines which you will see painted on the field. These markings show you the areas of play. They also tell players and referees where the game happens, where to score and where the ball is in or out. In this way, you can make the game organized, safe and fair.
Rugby Pitch Markings Dimensions
- Solid Lines: Solid lines are 12 cm (about 5 inches) wide. They mark the boundaries and main areas of the field such as sides, goal lines, 22-meter lines, halfway line & dead-ball lines.
- Dash Lines: Dash lines are smaller and broken compared to solid lines. They are 12 cm short markings with gaps also. You will find them 10-meter lines near the halfway line.
- Center: This area is 68 to 70 meters long. You will see a 0.5 m white mid cross line at the center lines. The halfway line is generally 47-50 meters away from each goal area.
- Try Lines: Rugby players have to cross try lines to score a try. These lines are 94 m away from each other. The total field is 106-144 meters long with 68-70 meters width.
- Touchlines: You should mark touchlines to highlight boundaries of playing areas. These markings are 100 meters in length. The width between two touchlines can be a maximum of 70 m.
- Dead Ball Lines: You will find a dead-ball line at the very end of the field. Basically, they are 6 to 22 meters behind the goal line. The width is 70 m.
- Halfway Lines: The halfway line is as long as the field is wide. It is usually 68 to 70 meters in length. However, the line itself is about 12 cm (5 inches) wide.
- 22 Meter Markings: These lines are 22 meters away from each goal line. They show you important areas for kicks, restarts & defensive play.
- 10m Lines: Dashed 10-meter lines painted on both sides of the halfway line. Their purpose is to tell you the minimum distance the ball must travel during kick-offs.
- 5 Meter Markings: These are also dashed lines on a rugby field. Two lines marked 5 meters from the side lines and two lines run 5 meters from the goal (try) lines.
- 15m Markings: You can paint these lines parallel to touchlines. They should be15 meters from the edge of the field.
Rugby Goal Post Dimensions
Rugby posts are H-shaped goal posts, which are placed at both ends of the field. They stand 94 to 100 meters apart. These posts must be at least 3.4 meters (11.15 feet) tall, but most are much higher. In international games, you can set them 17 metres tall. In junior and mini rugby, you will notice shorter posts with the crossbar often around 4.7 meters high.
Rugby Crossbar Height
Crossbar is the horizontal bar that actually connects two posts in the middle. Its height from the goal post is always 3 meters. This height is the same at every level of the game such as local matches & international tournaments.
How Big is a Rugby Pitch in Acres?
A rugby union field is quite large.The space in the main field area is about 1.7 to 1.8 acres in size. When you also add the in-goal areas, the total size can be approx. 2 to 2.4 acres.
However, the exact size can be changed a little. Because, the field may range in 100-122 meters long and 68 to 70 meters wide based on law.
Rugby Pitch Laps
If we talk about laps of the rugby field, if you walk/run around the rugby field once, that’s called one lap. For example: you have to cover four laps to make one mile. But, the exact number can be varied because rugby fields are not always the same size.
So, a field that is about 100 meters long and 70 meters wide, one mile may be close to four laps around the edge.
Junior Rugby Pitch Dimensions
Junior rugby pitches are smaller as compared to full-size fields. But you should keep in mind that the size of the pitch can change based on the player’s age group and ground location. For example: for under 12 players, the field is usually 60m by 43m in England.
But, it can be 60 meter by 35 meter for under-10. Younger kids like ages of 6 to 8 can play on 68m by 30m fields in Australia. Older groups such as U9-U11 in rugby league may use large pitches (80m by 50m). Furthermore, coaches and referees can also make the field smaller when required.
Rugby Field vs Football Field Size
Rugby and football fields are designed for different sports. Below table will show you the major difference between rugby and football fields.
| Main Points | Rugby Field | Football Field |
| Goal Area | It has 6 to 22 meters in goal area | The football field goal area is 5.5 m deep & 5.5 m wide |
| Length | 157 yards (144 m) | 120 yards (110 m) |
| Width | 70+ meter wide | Roughly 49 meters wide |
| Markings | In goal area lines, dead ball lines and center spot | Penalty area, corner arcs, center circle & penalty spot |
| Total Area | 106 meter to144 meter | 105 m by 68 m |
How To Mark a Rugby League Field?
Rugby markings show you where to score, where to kick and the boundaries of the ground. Instead of marking lines by hand, you can use line marking machines to draw straight and accurate lines. For that purpose, JACKWIN marking robots are an excellent choice.
In our factory, we manufacture intelligent ruby field marking robots and machines for sports fields, roads and other projects. Our marking machines are designed to save your time, reduce labor, and create professional-quality lines. It operates on an automatic line marking system with the use of GPS/GNSS and CAD drawings.
Rugby Mark Rule
- The playing area (between goal lines) must be no more than a set limit.
- Each in-goal area should be at least 6 meters deep and maximum of 22 meters.
- You have to keep accurate measurements of dashed lines for scrums, lineouts and kick-off distances.
- Solid lines can be marked 22 meters from goal lines which highlights areas for drop outs and defensive rules.
- You must divide the field into two equal halves, used for kick-offs and restarts.
Flag Post of Rugby Field Measurements
Flag posts (corner flags) are placed at each corner of a rugby field. They are 5.6 meters apart and the crossbar sits 3 meters above the ground. Additionally, the posts must be at least 3.4 meters tall. You can install 14 flags at corners where important lines such as the 22-meter line and halfway line meet the side boundaries.
Why is a Rugby Pitch Measured in Metres Instead of Yards?
Basically, rugby fields are measured in metres because the official law set by World Rugby uses the metric system. With meter measurements, it is easier to standardize field sizes around the world. In this way, referees, coaches and players can quickly know the exact distances and follow the game rules accurately.
Conclusion
Now, you can see that legal rugby field dimensions keep your matches fair, safe and well-organized. You should measure and mark your field carefully plus follow all regulations for goalposts, markings and goal areas.
If you have any questions, you can contact our team. Our experts will guide you and provide the best tools and equipment for accurate field setup.
