The field of play must be smooth and level and comply with the IFAB Laws of the Game. Guidance can be found in the UEFA Pitch Quality Guidelines. Its surface must be green and the line markings white. The following requirements must also be met:
|
Category |
Length |
Width |
Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 and 2 |
100–105m |
64–68m |
Pitch watering facilities |
|
3 and 4 |
105m |
68m |
Automated under-soil pitch irrigation system Pitch heating and/or pitch cover (depending on the location and climate) |
No lines other than football ones, as defined in the IFAB Laws of the Game, may be visible on the field of play.
The field of play must be entirely covered with either a natural playing surface (100% natural grass), reinforced natural grass (hybrid) or artificial football turf (100% artificial fibres).
Artificial football turf must:
-
have been granted the required FIFA certification, which can only be delivered after the turf in question has been tested by a FIFA-accredited laboratory and confirmed as meeting the latest FIFA standards;
-
have a valid FIFA Quality or Quality Pro certificate that meets the requirements of the competition at the time the stadium is announced and for the duration of the competition season;
-
meet all the requirements of the national legislation in force (if any).
Stadiums must be constructed and equipped in such a way that the field of play is playable on all matchdays in the UEFA competition season.
No physical structure can be less than 21m above the field of play.
The area immediately adjacent to the field of play must be safe for players, team officials and the referee team. Any structural element or fixed pitchside equipment must be positioned at least 3m from the line markings, as set out in Annex A, and at least 1m from the back of the goal net.
At least 2m of operational space should be available behind any advertising boards to allow for pitchside operations involving ball kids, stewards, photographers, cameras and camera operators. If insufficient space is available at pitchside, it may have to be made available in the stands.