Backyard Soccer Goals Sized for Kids and Adults
The SKLZ Quickster Soccer Goal is our overall pick for fast setup and portability. The Franklin Sports Blackhawk Portable Soccer Goal is the value choice for backyards, and the FORZA Steel42 Soccer Goal is the one to buy when you want a permanent target that shrugs off winter.
The SKLZ Quickster is the goal that suits the most families thanks to pop up speed, with the Franklin Blackhawk as the value option and the FORZA Steel42 for anyone who wants a permanent backyard goal.
Soccer goals are harder to choose than they look because the trade off between portability and stability runs through every design, and a goal that folds into a bag will also blow across a lawn in a gust. We compared current models on frame material, anchoring, net gauge, assembly time and what owners report about how they survive a full season outdoors.
The shortlist, ranked
SKLZ Quickster Soccer Goal
The pop up frame goes from bag to goal in well under a minute, which is the difference between practice happening and not happening on a weeknight. Fibreglass poles keep the weight down while holding a proper square shape, and multiple sizes cover everything from small sided drills to full backyard games. Anchoring is essential in wind.
Pros
- Fastest setup and takedown here
- Light enough for a child to carry
- Holds a genuine square goal shape
Cons
- Needs staking in even moderate wind
- Fibreglass poles can crack if stepped on
Franklin Sports Blackhawk Portable Soccer Goal
A bungee style frame that assembles quickly and stays up reliably once staked, offered in a good spread of sizes. It is the goal most families end up with for casual backyard play, and owners report it lasting several seasons if brought in over winter. The net is snap fit rather than tied.
Pros
- Wide range of sizes for different ages
- Steel frame is sturdier than pop up designs
- Stakes supplied in the box
Cons
- Bungee attachment stretches over time
- Not designed to stay out all winter
GOLME PRO Training Soccer Goal
Built for repeated shooting drills rather than casual play, with a tighter net and a frame that handles hard strikes without deforming. Setup is quick enough for solo practice sessions, and the goal packs down small for transport to a park. Best suited to players working on technique rather than families kicking around.
Pros
- Handles repeated hard shots
- Tight net returns the ball predictably
- Compact enough for park sessions
Cons
- Smaller than a full size goal
- Priced above simple backyard goals
PowerNet Soccer Goal
Aimed at coaches who need several goals for small sided training, with a sturdier frame and heavier net than backyard models. It takes longer to assemble but stands up to daily use at a club level. The larger sizes need two people to move once built.
Pros
- Built for repeated daily use
- Heavier net resists tearing
- Available in training relevant sizes
Cons
- Slower to assemble than pop up goals
- Awkward for one person to move
Bownet Portable Soccer Goal
Bownet’s frame system is a coaching staple because it sets up fast, stores flat and takes abuse from vans and equipment sheds. It is more expensive than backyard goals but built to a different standard of durability. Wind is still the enemy without proper anchoring.
Pros
- Very durable for a portable design
- Stores flat in a car boot
- Fast setup for repeated sessions
Cons
- Costs more than casual backyard goals
- Light frame needs anchoring outdoors
Net Playz Easy Fold-Up Soccer Goal
A simple folding goal that suits younger children and casual garden play without much investment. It goes up quickly and folds into a slim bag for storage in a shed. Do not expect it to survive full power shots from older players.
Pros
- Very quick to put up and take down
- Light enough for children to handle
- Cheap enough to buy a pair
Cons
- Not built for hard adult strikes
- Frame flexes noticeably under impact
FORZA Steel42 Soccer Goal
Powder coated steel tubing designed to be left outdoors year round, with a proper tied net rather than clips. Assembly takes real time and the goal is not meant to be moved often, which is exactly the point. This is the choice when the backyard has a permanent playing area.
Pros
- Designed to stay outside through the seasons
- Very stable once anchored
- Net quality matches the frame
Cons
- Long initial assembly
- Not practical to move regularly
Before you buy
Size the goal to the players, not the garden Under eights are well served by goals around six feet wide, older juniors by eight to twelve feet, and teenagers or adults want twelve feet or more before it starts feeling like a real target. Buying too small means the goal is outgrown in a season. Buying too large in a small garden means the ball spends more time in the neighbour’s flowerbed than the net.
Anchoring is not optional outdoors Almost every complaint about portable goals blowing over or twisting comes down to skipped staking. Even a light breeze will move an unanchored pop up frame, and a goal tipping is a genuine safety risk with children around. Use the supplied stakes, add sandbags on hard ground, and take portable goals down when they are not in use.
Net attachment tells you how long it will last Bungee and clip systems are fast but stretch and snap over a couple of seasons. Tied nets take longer to fit and last far longer, which is why permanent goals use them. Owners report that net gauge matters too, with thicker cord standing up much better to repeated hard shots and to sun exposure.
Decide between portable and permanent up front A pop up goal that lives in a bag suits families short on space and people who play at the park. A steel framed goal that stays in place suits a dedicated garden area and older players who shoot hard. Trying to make one goal do both jobs usually ends with a portable frame worn out early.
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Frame | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SKLZ Quickster Soccer Goal | Fibreglass pop up | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Franklin Sports Blackhawk Portable Soccer Goal | Steel with bungee net attachment | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | GOLME PRO Training Soccer Goal | Reinforced composite | Best for skills training | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | PowerNet Soccer Goal | Heavy duty steel | Best for teams | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Bownet Portable Soccer Goal | Flexible composite rod | Best portable | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Net Playz Easy Fold-Up Soccer Goal | Lightweight fold up | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | FORZA Steel42 Soccer Goal | Powder coated 42mm steel | Best permanent goal | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
What size soccer goal should I buy for a young child?
Around six feet wide is a sensible starting point for under eights, and it keeps the game rewarding rather than frustrating. Older juniors quickly outgrow that, so if the child is close to nine or ten, jumping to eight or twelve feet avoids buying twice.
Can portable goals be left outside?
Most should not be. Sun degrades netting and light frames, and wind will move an unanchored goal. Pop up and bungee goals last much longer if they are folded away between sessions and stored over winter.
How do I stop a goal blowing over?
Anchor it properly with the supplied stakes on grass, or weighted sandbags on a hard surface. Never leave a portable goal standing unattended in wind, and check anchors before every session with children present.
Are pop up goals strong enough for teenagers?
For passing and controlled shooting, yes. For repeated full power strikes, a steel framed or coach grade portable goal holds up much better. Fibreglass pop up poles are the weak point under heavy use.
Do I need two goals?
For small sided games and shooting practice at both ends, two smaller goals are far more useful than one large one. Many families buy a pair of pop ups precisely because it opens up more game formats in the same space.
How long does assembly take?
Pop up goals are under a minute. Bungee style backyard goals take roughly ten minutes the first time and less afterwards. Permanent steel goals can take an hour or more with two people, which is a one time cost.
What net material lasts longest outdoors?
Thicker polyethylene and polypropylene cord with UV treatment holds up best. Thin nets fray at the top corners first, where the ball hits hardest. Replacement nets are widely available, so a torn net rarely means replacing the goal.
Will a soccer goal damage the lawn?
The goalmouth area will wear from repeated use, especially in winter. Moving a portable goal a few feet every couple of weeks spreads the wear and lets the grass recover, which is one practical advantage of not going permanent.
The bottom line
The SKLZ Quickster is the goal that gets used most because setup takes seconds, and for casual family play the Franklin Blackhawk offers more frame for less money. Coaches running regular sessions should look at the Bownet or PowerNet options, and anyone with a permanent playing area will get far more seasons out of the FORZA Steel42. Whichever you choose, stake it down before the first shot.
