FA Ground Grading Explained — Pitch Perimeter Fencing Requirements for Football Clubs
FA Ground Grading Explained — Pitch Perimeter Fencing Requirements for Football Clubs
Everything football clubs need to know about the FA's National Ground Grading requirements — what's mandatory at each step, what the setback distances are, what counts as an approved barrier, and what doesn't. Sourced directly from the FA National Ground Grading Handbook v18.
📋 FA Handbook v18
✓ Steps 1–7 Covered
✓ Setback Distances
✓ What's Banned
✓ Grant Funding
What is FA Ground Grading?
The Football Association's National Ground Grading (NGG) system sets the minimum facility standards that clubs must meet to compete at each level of the National League System (NLS) and National Women's League System. Ground grading covers everything from floodlighting and changing rooms to covered standing, seated capacity — and pitch perimeter barriers.
Every club in the NLS from Step 1 (National League) to Step 7 (NLS Feeder/County leagues) is subject to ground grading requirements. Clubs that fail to meet requirements can be demoted, denied promotion, or refused entry to a higher division even if they finish in a promotion position on the pitch.
The FA publishes its full Ground Grading criteria in the National Ground Grading Handbook, currently on version 18. All specifications and requirements on this page are sourced from that document.
Ground Grading vs Stadium Accreditation
The FA operates two separate systems. National Ground Grading applies to Steps 1–7 of the NLS and the Women's Pyramid. Stadium Accreditation applies specifically to Steps 1–4 and covers the more detailed inspection criteria used at those levels. For the purposes of pitch perimeter fencing, both systems are covered on this page.
The FA Pyramid — Which Step is Your Club?
The National League System runs from Step 1 at the top to Step 7 at the bottom, with the pyramid expanding significantly at each level. Below Step 7 are county and district leagues which are not formally part of the NLS but may still have their own facility requirements set by the County FA.
| FA Step | Grade | Official Leagues | Approx. No. of Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Grade A | National League | 24 |
| Step 2 | Grade B | National League North & National League South | 48 |
| Step 3 | Grade C | Northern Premier League Premier | Isthmian League Premier | Southern League Premier Central | Southern League Premier South | 84 |
| Step 4 | Grade D | Northern Premier Div 1 East/West | Isthmian Div 1 North/South | Southern Div 1 Central/South | 126 |
| Step 5 | Grade E | North West Counties, Northern Counties East, Midland, United Counties, Hellenic, Western, Spartan SM, Southern Counties East, Essex Senior, Combined Counties (Premier divisions) | ~200 |
| Step 6 | Grade F | Division One equivalents of all Step 5 leagues, plus Kent Invicta, Anglian Combination, Eastern Counties and others | ~350 |
| Step 7 | Grade G/H | County Senior Leagues and NLS Feeder Leagues across all 47 County FAs | ~1,000+ |
Pitch Perimeter Fencing — What the FA Requires at Each Step
The FA's requirements for pitch perimeter barriers vary significantly by step. The most important distinction is between steps where infill is mandatory (Steps 1–4) and those where a permanent barrier is required but infill is not explicitly mandated (Steps 5–6).
⚠ The Most Common Compliance Failure
The most common ground grading failure for clubs at Steps 1–4 is having a pitch perimeter that does not meet the infill requirement. Post and rope, post and rail without mesh, and hi-vis plastic fencing all fail the requirement at these steps. Many clubs are unaware of this until they receive a ground grading inspection report.
| FA Step / Grade | Barrier Type Required | Infill Required? | Minimum Setback | Minimum Height | Hi-Vis Plastic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 / Grade A | Permanent, fixed barrier. Must prevent ball passing through or under. | MANDATORY | 2,250mm (ideal 2,750mm) | 1.1m | ❌ Prohibited |
| Step 2 / Grade B | Permanent, fixed infilled barrier. | MANDATORY | 1,830mm minimum | 1.1m | ❌ Prohibited |
| Step 3 / Grade C | Permanent, fixed infilled barrier. | MANDATORY | 1,830mm minimum | 1.1m | ❌ Prohibited |
| Step 4 / Grade D | Permanent, fixed infilled barrier. | MANDATORY | 1,830mm minimum | 1.1m | ❌ Prohibited |
| Step 5 / Grade E | Permanent, fixed barrier. Infill strongly recommended. | Strongly recommended | 1,830mm minimum | 1.1m | ⚠ Not suitable |
| Step 6 / Grade F | Permanent, fixed barrier. Infill recommended. | Recommended | 1,830mm minimum | 1.1m | ⚠ Not suitable |
| Step 7 / Grade G/H | Post & rope is the absolute minimum. Permanent barrier ideally 1.1m. | Optional | 1,830mm recommended | 1.1m ideally | Assess case by case |
Source: FA National Ground Grading Handbook v18 and FA Stadium Accreditation Criteria.
Pitch Setback — How Far Must the Fence Be from the Pitch?
The setback distance is the gap between the edge of the pitch (the touchline or goal line) and the inner face of the perimeter barrier. The FA specifies different minimums at different steps.
Step 1 — Grade A
National League2,250mm minimum
Ideal setback is 2,750mm. The FA specifies 2,250mm as the minimum for Grade A grounds. At 2,750mm clubs gain the benefit of a wider safety run-off.
Steps 2–4 — Grades B–D
NL North/South through Div 11,830mm minimum
The FA mandates 1,830mm as the minimum setback at Grades B through D. We recommend installing at 2,250mm to meet Grade A requirements and future-proof for promotion.
Steps 5–6 — Grades E–F
Step 5 & 6 Leagues1,830mm minimum
Same 1,830mm minimum applies at Grades E and F. A permanent barrier is required. Installing at 2,250mm now means you meet the Step 1 requirement outright if your club gains promotion.
Step 7 — Grade G/H
County / NLS Feeder Leagues1,830mm ideal
Post and rope is the absolute minimum at Step 7. A permanent barrier at 1,830mm–2,000mm setback is strongly recommended for any club with promotion aspirations.
Our Recommendation — Always Install at 2,250mm
Even where the FA minimum is 1,830mm, we recommend installing at 2,250mm across all grades. This provides a safety buffer above the minimum, meets the Step 1 requirement outright, and means the fence will never need repositioning if your club gains promotion. The additional 420mm of setback has no meaningful impact on cost and eliminates any risk of a future compliance issue.
What Types of Fencing Are and Aren't Acceptable?
The FA's Stadium Accreditation Criteria provides specific guidance on what types of barrier are and are not acceptable. This is where many clubs get caught out.
| Barrier Type | Steps 1–4 | Steps 5–6 | Step 7 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC double mesh infilled barrier (e.g. Pro Pitch Double Mesh) | ✓ Fully compliant | ✓ Fully compliant | ✓ Fully compliant | Meets all FA requirements at every step. The recommended solution. |
| Steel or metal infilled barrier | ✓ Compliant if infilled | ✓ Compliant | ✓ Compliant | Must have solid infill at Steps 1–4. Higher maintenance than PVC. |
| Advertising boards used as infill | ❌ Not acceptable | ❌ Not acceptable | ⚠ Grade H only | Accepted only at Grade H as barrier infill. Not acceptable at any higher step. |
| Post & rail (no infill) | ❌ Not acceptable | ❌ Not acceptable | ⚠ Minimum only | Does not meet infill requirement at Steps 1–4. Not suitable above Step 7. |
| Post & rope | ❌ Not acceptable | ❌ Not acceptable | ⚠ Absolute minimum | Absolute minimum at Step 7 only. Provides no ball retention or spectator safety. |
| Hi-vis plastic fencing | ❌ Explicitly prohibited | ❌ Not suitable | ⚠ Assess individually | The FA explicitly states hi-vis plastic is not considered suitable for infill at Steps 1–4. |
⚠ The FA Explicitly Bans Hi-Vis Plastic at Steps 1–4
The FA Stadium Accreditation Criteria states: "Plastic multi-purpose hi-vis fencing is not considered suitable for infill." If your club is at Steps 1–4 and uses orange or yellow hi-vis mesh fencing, this will fail your ground grading inspection. It must be replaced with a permanent infilled barrier before your next inspection. The Pro Pitch Double Mesh system is the correct solution.
When Do Ground Grading Inspections Happen?
Ground grading inspections are carried out by FA-appointed inspectors at the end of each season. Clubs are typically notified of their inspection date in advance. The inspection covers all grading criteria for the step above the club's current level — so a Step 4 club will be inspected against Step 3 criteria if they are in a promotion position.
Inspections look at the current state of facilities, not planned improvements. If your perimeter fencing does not meet the requirement on the day of inspection, it will be recorded as a failure regardless of whether improvements are planned or in progress. This is why acting early — and installing a compliant system before the inspection — is so important.
Newly Promoted Clubs — Allow Time
If your club gains promotion at the end of a season, you may have a limited window to bring your ground up to the required standard before the following season begins. Pitch perimeter fencing is one of the most frequently flagged items for newly promoted clubs. Ordering and installing a compliant fence takes time — particularly if grant funding is involved. Start the process as early as possible, ideally before the end of the season.
Does the FA Have a Preferred Supplier List?
No. The FA does not operate a preferred supplier list for pitch perimeter fencing or any other facility improvement. Clubs can purchase from any reputable supplier, including The Outdoor Look, and use Football Foundation grant funding to do so.
The Football Foundation's own guidance states that clubs should "source quotes from a reputable dealer." This means there is no restriction on which supplier a club uses to fulfil a ground grading requirement or a grant-funded improvement project.
Grant Funding for Pitch Perimeter Fencing
Two main grant streams are available to clubs needing to upgrade their perimeter fencing to meet ground grading requirements.
Football Foundation — Up to £25,000
The Football Foundation provides grants specifically for pitch perimeter fencing at grassroots clubs, funded by the Premier League, The FA and Sport England. Grants are awarded at up to 75% of total project cost, with a maximum of £25,000. No preferred supplier list applies — clubs can use any reputable supplier. Applications are made online via the Football Foundation portal and decisions are typically made within 10 working days.
Premier League Stadium Fund — Up to £150,000
Available to clubs at NLS Steps 1–6 and Women's Pyramid Tiers 1–4. The Club Development Fund provides up to £150,000 for England Accredited clubs to improve stadium facilities. Boundary fencing is explicitly listed as an eligible project. A minimum 10% club contribution is required. Applications are made via the Premier League Stadium Fund website.
Frequently Asked Questions
My club is at Step 5 — do we need infilled fencing?
Infill is not formally mandated at Step 5, but a permanent fixed barrier at 1.1m high is required. The FA strongly recommends infill at Steps 5–6. More importantly, if your club gains promotion to Step 4, infill immediately becomes mandatory. Installing Double Mesh now means you will never need to replace it regardless of promotion.
We have orange hi-vis fencing — will this fail our inspection?
Yes, if your club is at Steps 1–4. The FA Stadium Accreditation Criteria explicitly states that plastic hi-vis fencing is not considered suitable for infill at these steps. It must be replaced with a permanent infilled barrier. At Steps 5–7 it is not explicitly prohibited but is not considered a suitable long-term solution.
Our fence is close to the touchline — will we fail on setback distance?
If your fence is inside the minimum setback for your step it will be recorded as a failure. At Step 1 the minimum is 2,250mm from the touchline. At Steps 2–7 the minimum is 1,830mm. If your current fence is inside these distances, it will need to be repositioned. We can advise on the best approach — contact us for a free consultation.
Can we use advertising boards as infill?
Only at Grade H (Step 7) under specific conditions. At Steps 1–6, advertising boards are not an acceptable infill solution. The FA requires purpose-designed barrier systems with integrated infill panels made from UPVC or coated metal at these steps.
Do we need planning permission for a 1.1m fence?
At 1.1m height, planning permission is generally not required in England as this falls within permitted development rights. However, this depends on the specific location, any conservation area restrictions, and local authority policies. Always confirm with your local planning authority before installation. Note that the Football Foundation requires confirmation that planning permission (if required) is in place before approving a grant application.
How do we get a specification document for our grant application?
The Outdoor Look provides a full specification sheet, site drawings, measurements and cost breakdown free of charge with any enquiry. This is everything you need to support a Football Foundation or Premier League Stadium Fund application. Contact us and we'll have it with you within 24 hours.
Ready to Meet Your FA Ground Grading Requirement?
Get a free, no-obligation quote for the Pro Pitch system — including a full specification document to support your Football Foundation or Premier League Stadium Fund application.
View Football Fencing Get a Free QuoteBest Sellers
- £95.29
- £95.29
- Unit price
- per
- £151.12
- £151.12
- Unit price
- per
- from £0.99
- from £0.99
- Unit price
- per
- £63.42
- £63.42
- Unit price
- per
- £10.99
- £10.99
- Unit price
- per
- £231.88
- £231.88
- Unit price
- per
- £11.15
- £11.15
- Unit price
- per
- £7.91
- £7.91
- Unit price
- per
- £11.15
- £11.15
- Unit price
- per
- £39.99
- £39.99
- Unit price
- per
- £7.06
- £7.06
- Unit price
- per
- £5.99
- £5.99
- Unit price
- per
- £21.74
- £21.74
- Unit price
- per
- £10.99
- £10.99
- Unit price
- per
- £21.74
- £21.74
- Unit price
- per
- £122.15
- £122.15
- Unit price
- per
- £10.99
- £10.99
- Unit price
- per
- £74.99
- £74.99
- Unit price
- per
- £15.63
- £15.63
- Unit price
- per
- £22.99
- £22.99
- Unit price
- per
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.