Section 3: Playing Area
Field Dimensions
NWSL matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards) — with the league's preferred dimensions favoring the upper end of the range for major venues. The field surface must be natural grass, hybrid grass, or a FIFA Quality Pro approved artificial surface; the home club is responsible for surface conformance and field testing.
Field Markings
- Touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines bound the field
- Halfway line with a centre mark and a 9.15 m centre circle
- Goal area (5.5 m × 18.32 m) and penalty area (16.5 m × 40.32 m) at each end
- Penalty spot 11 m from the goal line, with an arc 9.15 m radius from the spot
- Corner arcs (1 m radius) at each corner with optional corner flags
- Technical areas marked along the touchline at each bench, with referee-managed bench access
Stadium and Match Operations
The official game time is managed on the field by the referee; the stadium clock starts at kickoff of each half and runs continuously through any added time. Bench composition is league-restricted (Section 4). The home club is responsible for stadium operations, locker rooms, and maintaining a venue suitable for live broadcast, including ball stand placement around the field perimeter to support the IFAB-permitted faster ball-in-play protocol.