The FA Future Fit: County FA Roadshow Hampshire

March 21st 7 to 8:30pm in Winchester

From the start of the 2026-27 season, The FA will be launching a new progressive framework for grassroots youth football in England, which aims to further improve the experience for young players across the country – giving them more time on the ball, more time on the pitch and increasing their physical activity levels. The changes being implemented will include:

• A new 3v3 entry format for the youngest players in the pathway at U7s level, fielding three players on each side, to maximise engagement and provide the best introduction to football.
• Each format will be played one year later as players transition through the pathway, including 11v11 which will move from U13s to U14s level.
• Greater alignment with schools with children playing smaller formats with simplified rules throughout primary school, before progressing to 9v9 and more complex rules at secondary school.
• Evolved Laws of the Game that are age-appropriate and best support the overall development of the young player. For example, amendments have already been made to game restarts for U7s-U9s to increase ball in play time

In the coming weeks The FA are hosting 46 events across the country providing stakeholders with the opportunity to learn more about the recently announced changes. Hampshire FA’s event details are below:

Future Fit: County FA Roadshow (Hampshire)

Venue: Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa, Telegraph Way, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ

Date & Time: March 21st from 7.00-8.30pm

Sign Up Link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b0fdc02637ef4fd1b0c2137557c6860b

Other Useful Information:

Future Fit: Online Event – Watch the Future Fit Online event here (or below) where Paul Kirton from Team Grassroots discusses with Clare, John and Lawrence from The FA, the upcoming changes being made to Youth Football across England in the 2026/27 season. The FA encourage you to share this with your members to help in their understanding of the upcoming changes.

Future Fit: Early Adopter Webinar – There will be a follow up webinar on Wednesday April 9th at 7.30pm which will provide further information for those who wish to be considered for early adoption. This will provide more detail on what will be required and what support will be made available ahead of expression of interest then going live. You can register to attend here.