Walking football: where to play in London

If you thought walking football was a stroll in the park, you couldn’t be more wrong. This alternate version of the beautiful game is aimed at the over 50s and those who aren’t physically able to keep up with the demands of the traditional format. This format gives you the opportunity to stay involved with or get into football, but make no mistake, walking football is no less competitive so be prepared for a tough workout.

Started in 2011 by the Chesterfield FC Community trust, walking football is played on a 5, 6, or 7-a-side pitch. The pitches have regular small-sided football markings, however there’s no offside rule and obviously, no running.

If this sounds like the sport for you, Playfinder have some great venues dotted around the capital that would be perfect for a game of walking football. And to make hiring your pitch even easier, 4 of these venues can be booked online instantly from our website:

Warren Sports Pitch

This pitch is the ideal venue for a walking football game in your lunch break, located right in the centre of London. The caged 3G astroturf pitch means no running (or walking) after stray balls, and floodlights will ensure you can carry on playing well into the evening. And you can get there easily from Warren Street underground station.

V Sports

The 5 or 6-a-side pitches are as good as it gets when it comes to astroturf surfaces in West London. East Acton underground and Acton Central overground stations will get you on pitch in plenty of time. With changing room facilities and floodlights on both pitches, you can make the most of your after work game.

Southbury Leisure Centre

Check out the astroturf football pitches at Enfield based Southbury Leisure Centre if you’re in North London. Their versatile outdoor pitches are brilliantly floodlit and cater for 5, 6 or 7-a-side football matches so there’ll be no tight squeeze. With Southbury overground station is a mere 5 walk minutes away, the venue is ideally located.

Flanders Playing Field

Whether you’re after an early morning kick about, lunchtime game, or post-work workout, Flanders Playing Field has got you covered. Their astroturf pitch in East London is open from 9am to 10pm and is perfect for a 5-a-side game. So if you’re thinking of giving walking football a try, just head to East Ham underground station.

Marcus Lipton Community Enterprise

With free parking, changing rooms and floodlights, there’s no excuse not to give Marcus Lipton Community Enterprise a go. A 10 minute walk from Brixton and Loughborough Junction station, this venue is easily accessible. Their 3G astroturf pitch gives you a quality surface to try out your walking football skills. What better place is there to play the game for the first time?

If you like the sound of walking football and want more information on this increasingly popular sport, head over to walkingfootballunited.co.uk and don’t forget to check out the Playfinder website to find more sports facilities near you.