It's official, football is coming home! The nation's favourite sport is one that can be enjoyed by both children and adults of all ages, so why not get in on the beautiful game with a football goal for the garden? Whether you're after a pop-up net for the kids, or some hardier goal posts for the grown-ups to have a kickabout, selecting the right one is a tough task to tackle.
That's why we've put together this guide to help you out. Along with our top tips on how to choose, we've ranked of the 10 best football goals for gardens in the UK. With glorious practice goals from Samba, Forza and Kickster, they're all available to buy from Argos, Amazon eBay and Decathlon.
Quick List - Top Football Goals for the Garden
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Pop-up goals are convenient, as you take them out of the bag and they pop up to form a goal. It is as simple as that! However, you'll need to secure them into the ground with pegs, as otherwise the wind might blow it away.
These goals are portable enough to take on holiday or to the park as, not only do they fold up easily, but they're also extremely lightweight. Ranging from 1 - 2 kg, they're so light even a small five-year-old child could carry one!
When you imagine a football goal, you are probably thinking of a classic design. If you want to install your goal in the garden and leave it be, this is the best option. They're heavy and hard to carry, but that makes them robust enough for frequent play.
There's no need to worry if you're not a DIY expert, as many of these goals can be put up quickly without tools. While some will require more time or experience to set up, they come with instructions to help.
Don't want to tear up the garden when playing? Football boots for astroturf are easier on your lawn!
Training goals, or target nets, come in both classic and pop-up designs with varying weights. They feature a sheet over the front of the goal with cut-out holes, so you can practice your shooting and passing accuracy by kicking the ball into the hole.
They're a great 2-in-1 product, as they can be used as a normal goal, too. If you want to use the goal without the cut-out side, you can either flip the net over or remove the sheet entirely. It's a simple yet effective method, and you can even buy a target sheet separately.
You might be put off from buying a plastic goal, but it's the best frame material for garden use. PVC frames are particularly sturdy and weatherproof, meaning that these goals can be left outside all year round. Not to mention it is super strong, so it will withstand hard kicks without breaking.
If you or your children are serious about football as a hobby, and you have the space for a semi-permanent fixture, then it's well worth investing in a PVC goal as it will be far more long-lasting than other materials. The only downside is that they're often a little more difficult to take down than fibreglass or steel options
Steel is another common material garden goals are often made from. It's generally strong and durable, but you should choose carefully as some steel poles can be thin and less hardwearing. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, as a lighter goal can be better suited to children and are easier to move around.
Often these goals are secured by hooks that you put into the ground meaning that steel goals are best suited to grass lawns. If you have an astroturfed or concrete part of the garden you're thinking of using, you may find it difficult to secure a light steel frame.
Pop-up goals substitute steel poles for fibreglass ones as it's up to four times lighter than steel although fibreglass is strong enough, so you won't compromise on quality. The obvious benefit of these types of goals is that they're incredibly easy to set up and put away when not in use, making them a great choice for smaller gardens.
Many smaller training goals are made with fibreglass, as are those aimed at younger children. If you're looking for something more akin to a five-a-side or seven-a-side goal, then other materials are better suited. If you're after something that you can fold up and take to the local park to play with friends, then fibreglass is perfect.
Make sure the net doesn't break when the football comes pounding in by carefully considering the material. HDPE or high-density polyethylene is the best material for goal nets, as it's strong, dense and of tournament quality.
Alternatively, you could opt for a goal with a polyester net as these are usually a lot cheaper. The quality isn't as good, and it'll break faster, but these nets okay for basic garden use. Polyester is particularly good for young children with less oomph behind their shots.
Some nets are made from Dacron. Don't let the name confuse you, as dacron is actually a type of polyester. It's thought to be slightly stronger than standard polyester and has better resistance to adverse weather.
Keep your legs safe while playing with a pair of shin pads!
You don't have to follow the tournament age recommendations when picking out a goal for your garden. If you're an adult, you're unlikely to fit in two 24 ft goals and start playing an 11 v 11 match. Small goals under 6 ft are best for kids, whereas adults might prefer a bigger goal over 6 ft.
If you or your child plays or is interested in playing tournaments, you can pick a smaller goal that's within the same proportions. Look out for an 8 x 4 ft goal or a 12 x 6 ft goal, as these are the same shape as the standard regulation adult goal.
Need a new pair of kid's football boots to go along with your new goal?
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Samba Locking Football Goals | ![]() | Top-Notch PVC Poles and Thick HDPE Net | |
2 | Kipsta Football Goal | ![]() | Thick Steel Frame That Withstands Shocks | |
3 | Forza Locking Football Goal | ![]() | Sturdy Goal Made From High-Quality Materials | |
4 | Opti Ball Pop Up Football Goal | ![]() | Two Portable Nets That Fold Away for Easy Storage in a Carry Bag | |
5 | Flick Urban Net Target Skills Training Goal | ![]() | An Ideal Option for Kids to Practice Shooting | |
6 | Dimples Excel Football Goal Pop Up | ![]() | Pop-Up Goal That's Resistant to Rot and Mildew | |
7 | Kickster Ultra Portable Football Goal | ![]() | Quick Flexible Pole Installation That You Can Set Up in 90 Seconds | |
8 | Kickmaster Premier Football Goal | ![]() | Lightweight Net With a Steel Frame Coated in Rust-Resistant Paint | |
9 | Charles Bentley 3-in-1 Target Shot Football Goal | ![]() | A 3-in-1 Training Net for Shooting Practice | |
10 | Kipsta Football Goal | ![]() | A Large Size Goal Ideal for Both Adults and Children |
If you're looking for a football net for your garden, Samba is without a doubt the best brand! Samba nets are trustworthy products used by professional clubs, schools and academies offering a strong goal. The PVC poles and reinforced locking corners keep everything in place while you play.
The net is made from 2.5 mm thick HDPE, so it will withstand hard hits and harsh weather conditions, and you can pick the size based on your space and the age of the players. Overall, it's a great pick that's guaranteed to keep both adults and children entertained!
From the picture alone, you can tell the steel frame on this goal is thick. That makes it much better at withstanding shocks if the ball hits the goal. Thankfully, this goal is easy to assemble, so you can put it up and take it down without having to worry about following complex instructions.
The small size is perfect for entertaining kids in a smaller outdoor space. They can test out their shooting skill without having to contend with a goalkeeper, and it's great value for money. What more could you want?
You can't go wrong with this goal! It's constructed using high quality materials, with the frame in particular made from shatterproof PVC. A garden goal that's built to last, it'll be able to withstand kicks from both children and adults, and the net UV treated to protect against sun damage and rot.
The goal features a locking system for extra strength and stability, making it a great addition to your garden. There's also the option to buy the goal with a target sheet, ball and bag, which is perfect for beginners or those without equipment.
With this purchase, you get two nets instead of one, making them a great choice for friendly games in the garden with family and friends. Once you're done, the pop-up design and carry bag allow them to be neatly folded away if you would rather they weren't a permanent feature.
It's the perfect goal for beginners, as the set includes a ball and pump, saving you from buying these separately if you don't already own some. Plus, there are fibreglass poles around the frame of the net, which are as strong as steel.
The Urban Training goal is ideal for kids who want to practice their shooting skills. The net has five holes for training, and it can be flipped over if they'd prefer to use it as a standard net. It's a pop-up goal too, and can be easily folded down for use on the go or for storage - handy if you don't want the goal in your garden 24/7!
It doesn't matter if it's raining outside, as you can bring this goal indoors so the kids can continue to practice. We especially like that there are ground pegs included to stop it from blowing away in the wind, as it's very lightweight.
The net attached to this pop-up goal is made from dacron instead of standard polyester. This means it's going to be stronger and more resistant to rot and mildew. The fibreglass poles are also 8 mm, which is an improvement on the usual 6 mm poles, as it can withstand shock better and lasts longer.
Unfortunately, it's a little expensive for a single pop-up goal. We do think it's worth the money, as it's one of the most lightweight nets on the market. Even small kids can carry it which is perfect if they want to play on the go!
This Kickster goal has a patented flexible pole installation. In fact, you can set the goal up in 90 seconds, as the poles come pre-attached with elastic, which will also stop you from misplacing parts! You can keep the net firmly attached to the ground with U-shaped tent pegs, which help if you're playing in windy conditions.
Even though the design is ultra-portable, and even comes with a carry bag, the net weighs five kilograms, which is not ideal for carrying around. However, the steel frame is of good quality and will withstand hard kicks.
Here's an inexpensive net with a classic design that does the job. The twine net is durable and thick, so it will withstand shots without breaking quickly. It's also surprisingly lightweight, which makes it slightly easier to transport than others.
Unfortunately, the steel frame isn't very thick, so it might bend under pressure if the ball hits it. On a positive note, it has been coated in rust-resistant paint, so the goal will stay looking good for longer.
Here's one of the few target practice nets that doesn't have a pop-up design. It comes in a fairly big size, so it'll be suitable for people of all ages to improve their skills. You can easily swap between a 4-hole target net for accuracy and a rebounder net for reaction practice.
This net isn't particularly deep so you'll want to make sure it's affixed properly as powerful shots will knock it over if not. If you remove the training nets, you can use this affordable option as a great goal for children too!
Here's a goal that comes in a large size, which is ideal for both adults and children. You'll be able to enjoy some football practice on your own or with your kids as it has a fairly stable net, and can even stay up without stakes.
Our only qualm is that the net isn't very deep, even for a garden net, so the ball may bounce out. That said, it'll last a while, as the net can withstand up to 3,000 shots with a force as high as 35 km/h before it needs replacing.
No. 1: Samba|Locking Football Goals
No. 2: Kipsta|Football Goal
No. 3: Forza|Locking Football Goal
No. 4: Opti Ball|Pop Up Football Goal
No. 5: Flick|Urban Net Target Skills Training Goal
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