A rugby pitch is one of the largest rectangles in field sports. Rugby union’s field of play runs up to 100 meters long between the try lines and up to 70 meters wide, and in-goal areas add as much as 22 meters at each end. Rugby also places tougher demands on synthetic surfaces than most sports, because players go to ground constantly. For clubs and schools planning rugby turf pitch installation, the dimensions are only half the story; the surface must also meet World Rugby’s turf regulation.
Rugby pitch size and dimensions
| Area | Rugby union (World Rugby Law 1) | Approximate in feet |
|---|---|---|
| Field of play length (try line to try line) | Up to 100 m | Up to about 328 ft |
| Field of play width | Up to 70 m | Up to about 230 ft |
| In-goal depth (each end) | 6 m to 22 m | About 20 to 72 ft |
| Maximum total length | 144 m | About 472 ft |
| Goal post crossbar height | 3.0 m | About 9.8 ft |
| Distance between goal posts | 5.6 m | About 18.4 ft |
| Minimum post height | 3.4 m | About 11.2 ft |
Rugby league uses a similar overall shape with its own rules, with a field of play typically around 100 m by 68 m plus in-goal areas. Always confirm with your governing body for the competition level you plan to host.
How long is a rugby pitch?
From try line to try line, a full-size rugby union pitch is 100 meters, about 109 yards. Add the in-goal areas and the total can reach 144 meters, around 157 yards, from dead-ball line to dead-ball line. That is noticeably longer than an American football field, which is 120 yards including end zones, and the 70 m width is also wider than football’s 53 1/3 yards.
Rugby pitch markings
Rugby line markings divide the field into zones that control restarts, scrums and lineouts:
- Dead-ball lines: the back boundary of each in-goal area.
- Try lines (goal lines): the posts stand on these lines.
- 22-meter lines: solid lines 22 m out from each try line.
- 10-meter lines: broken lines 10 m either side of halfway.
- Halfway line: with a short center mark.
- 5-meter and 15-meter dashed lines: run parallel to the touchlines for lineouts and scrums.
- 5-meter dashed lines: parallel to and 5 m from each try line.
- Touchlines and touch-in-goal lines: the side boundaries; they are out of play.
On grass these lines are painted, while synthetic pitches often have them inlaid. For narrower formats such as flag and seven-a-side games, see our guide to flag football field dimensions, and for marking grass, our athletic field paint guide.
Talk to an installer who builds it right
Experienced local crews. Every line item in writing.
Synthetic rugby turf and World Rugby Regulation 22
World Rugby Regulation 22 sets performance requirements for artificial rugby surfaces, and pitches used for sanctioned play are tested against them. Because rugby involves tackles, rucks and scrums, the regulation pays close attention to how the surface protects a falling player, including head injury criterion testing that drives the critical fall height a surface must meet. It also covers shock absorption, ball rebound, rotational traction and other properties.
In practice, that usually means a rugby turf system includes:
- Longer pile fibers, commonly around 60 mm or more, to hold deeper infill
- A shock pad or an engineered elastic layer under the turf
- Carefully specified infill depth and type
- A level, well-draining base that keeps those properties consistent across the whole pitch
Pro tip: Regulation 22 compliance is tested on the installed system, not just the carpet in a catalog. Base flatness, pad installation, seams and infill depth all affect results, so the install has to match the tested specification.
Planning a rugby pitch
Allow space beyond the dead-ball lines and touchlines for player safety, and plan inlaid line colors if the pitch will also host soccer or football. Rugby pitches see heavy contact use, so infill grooming and periodic testing are part of the long-term plan. When you are ready to build or resurface, get matched with an installer experienced in shock-pad rugby systems.
Rugby pitch FAQ
What are standard rugby field dimensions?
For rugby union, the field of play is up to 100 m long and 70 m wide, with in-goal areas 6 to 22 m deep at each end.
How long is a rugby pitch in yards?
About 109 yards between try lines, and up to roughly 157 yards including both in-goal areas.
Is a rugby pitch bigger than a football field?
Yes. A full rugby union pitch is both longer and wider than an American football field.
Can rugby be played on artificial turf?
Yes. Synthetic rugby pitches are common and, for sanctioned play, must meet World Rugby Regulation 22, which typically calls for a shock pad and deeper infill.
The complete turf installation guide
What a quality install looks like, the eight installation steps, spec sheets, and how to choose an installer.