First game with strangers? Here's what to expect

Turning up to play football with people you've never met can feel like a big step. It shouldn't. Plenty of players on PitchUp joined their first game alone, and many now play with the same faces every week.

Pick the right game

5v5 and 6v6 are played on smaller pitches, so you get more touches and the game is quick. 11v11 is a full-size match with more space and more running. Every match shows the time, price, host and who has already joined, so you know what you're walking into.

What to bring

• Boots for the surface: turf soles for turf, firm-ground studs for grass.
• Shin pads. Your shins will thank you.
• Water, especially for summer evening games.
• A light and a dark top, in case there are no bibs.

Arrive ten minutes early

You'll get a reminder before kick-off. Arrive ten minutes early to find the pitch, say hello to the host and warm up. Pitches are booked by the hour, so games start on time.

During the game

• Pass to the new player. Everyone was new once.
• Call your own fouls and outs. There's usually no referee.
• Take turns in goal.
• Keep tackles on your feet, especially on turf.

After the final whistle

Vote for the MVP in the app. Votes, goals and games feed your player rating, and your player card levels up from Bronze to Legend as you play.

If you can't make it

Cancel as early as you can so someone on the waitlist gets your spot. With 24 hours' notice or more you get a full refund, between 6 and 24 hours you get 50%, and under 6 hours there's no refund.