Section 3: Playing Area
The Ground (Law 1 – World Rugby Laws of the Game 2024)
Law 1 defines the playing enclosure, which consists of the playing area and any area beyond the playing area that is required for player safety (the run-off area). The playing area is divided into the field of play and the two in-goal areas.
Field of Play Dimensions (Law 1.3)
- Maximum length of field of play (excluding in-goal areas): 100 m
- Maximum width of field of play: 70 m
- In-goal area depth: Between 10 m and 22 m (both in-goal areas)
- Total maximum playing area length (including both in-goal areas): 144 m
- Where a pitch does not meet maximum dimensions, the minimum acceptable dimensions are set by the relevant union; World Rugby strongly recommends adherence to the maxima for Test match venues.
Lines on the Field (Law 1.4)
The field of play is marked with the following lines:
- Touchlines: Lines along the two long sides of the field. They are in touch (outside the field of play); a ball or player in contact with a touchline is in touch.
- Goal lines (try lines): Lines at each end of the field of play, on the boundary between the field of play and the in-goal area. A player touching or beyond the goal line is in the in-goal area.
- Dead-ball lines: Lines marking the outer boundary of each in-goal area. They are outside the playing enclosure.
- Touch-in-goal lines: Lines at the sides of each in-goal area connecting the touchlines and the dead-ball lines. They are outside the playing enclosure.
- 22-metre lines: Parallel to the goal lines, 22 m from each goal line.
- 10-metre lines: Parallel to and 10 m from the halfway line, on each side.
- Halfway line: Parallel to the goal lines at the midpoint of the field of play.
- 5-metre lines (broken): Parallel to each touchline, 5 m from it, used for lineout formation guidance.
- 15-metre lines (broken): Parallel to each touchline, 15 m from it, used for lineout guidance.
Goal Posts (Law 1.6)
The goal posts are H-shaped and positioned on each goal line at the midpoint of the width of the field. Specifications under Law 1.6:
- Distance between uprights: 5.6 m (approximately 18 ft 4 in)
- Height of crossbar above the ground: 3.0 m (approximately 9 ft 10 in)
- Minimum height of uprights above the crossbar: 3.4 m (approximately 11 ft 2 in); in Test matches the uprights should extend to at least 3.4 m above the crossbar (no maximum height specified)
- The base of each post must be padded for player safety
- A post protector pad must extend to a minimum height of 2 m above the ground
Surface (Law 1.2)
The playing area must be grass. Where grass is unavailable, artificial turf may be used provided it meets World Rugby Regulation 22 (Artificial Rugby Turf). Sand, clay, ice, and asphalt surfaces are prohibited. The playing area must be free of dangerous objects.