Everything you need to know before you buy a football; from training and match balls to futsal and indoor options, as well as age group, pitch surface and budget.
Choosing the right football sounds simple until you’re faced with many options, including ball size, the surface you are playing on, and price. Whether you’re kitting out a men's and women's team, looking for footballs for training or picking a ball for weekend kickabouts, the right choice comes down to three things: who’s playing, where they’re playing, and your budget.
This guide walks you through exactly how to buy a football that meets your needs. We’ll explain the different types of footballs available, how to match a ball to the pitch surface, and which Diamond football is best for each scenario.
How to choose a football
- Match the size to the age group: size 5 for ages 14+, size 4 for 11–14, size 3 for 5–10.
- Pick the type of football to suit the purpose: training balls for weekly sessions, match balls for fixtures.
- Check the pitch surface: grass, 3G/Astroturf, indoor or futsal courts each favour different balls.
- Balance price and quality: Whilst you can get cheaper footballs, you might decide to opt for more premium balls. At Diamond, we have the Icon at £7.99 including VAT and the premium Pro Match at £20 including VAT.
What to consider before you buy a football
Not all footballs are created equally. Before you decide on what football to buy, it’s worth weighing up a few key factors.
Age group and ball size
Ball size is the single most important factor, especially for youth teams and players. Using the correct size protects developing players and helps them build proper technique. Use the size guide in the table below to match the ball to the age group.
| Ball Size | Age Group | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Size 5 | 14 years & over / adults | Full adult training and match play |
| Size 4 | 11–14 years | Youth training and junior matches |
| Size 3 | 5–10 years | Mini-football and early development |
| Size 2 | Under 5s | Skills, control and fun |
Pitch surface
Different footballs are designed for different surfaces: grass, 3G and Astroturf, and hard surfaces in sports halls and futsal courts. Most standard outdoor balls suit grass and popular artificial surfaces, but for constant use on abrasive 3G you’ll want a hard-wearing construction that resists wear. Indoor and futsal games call for a different ball entirely.
Purpose: training or match day
Be clear on why you’re buying. A football for weekly training sessions has a very different job from a match ball, which is reserved for league and cup fixtures. Buying the right type first time saves money and keeps performance consistent throughout the season.
Budget and value
Don’t be lured by the lowest price alone, as you and your club need to balance cost with quality and durability. A slightly more robust football that lasts two seasons is often better value than a cheap one replaced every few months. That said, you might not want to buy a premium match ball for casual kickabouts.
Buying in bulk
If you’re buying footballs for a club, school, or academy, quantity matters. Buying in bulk typically unlocks better per-ball pricing, so it pays to plan your full season’s requirement before you order.
Types of footballs explained
Broadly, footballs fall into four categories. Understanding the difference makes it far easier to decide which football to buy.
Training footballs
Footballs for training are built for repeated use and prioritise durability and value over premium match balls. They’re the workhorses of any club or school and are perfect for weekly training sessions.
Diamond’s training footballs include sizes two, three, four and five, and within our range there are professional-quality training footballs, perfect for all levels of the game.
Match footballs
Match balls use higher-grade materials, a foam-backed construction for an enhanced touch, and a high-air-retention bladder for competitive play. They range from junior match balls right up to premium, for first teams. Explore Diamond’s match balls here.
Futsal footballs
Futsal is played on hard indoor courts with a smaller, low-bounce ball that rewards close control. A dedicated futsal ball has a reduced bounce and heavier feel, which keeps the game fast and technical, and a standard outdoor ball simply won’t behave correctly on a court. You can see one of our Futsal balls here.
Indoor footballs
Indoor footballs are designed for sports halls and 5-a-side, usually with a felt or low-bounce surface that’s kinder to floors and walls than a traditional outdoor ball. If most of your games are indoors, choose an indoor-specific ball rather than a grass ball.
The Diamond Football range: which ball is right for you?
Diamond Football has built footballs for every game for over 20 years. Here’s the full range, what each ball is best at, and who it’s built for, so you can buy a football with confidence.
ICON
Sizes: 2, 3, 4 & 5
Perfect for: Clubs, schools, academies and community football programmes.
The ICON ball is one of Diamond’s most popular footballs. An upgraded bladder and additional lining layer deliver outstanding durability, shape retention and feel. Many customers say it’s the best value grassroots football they’ve ever used.
Pro Trainer
Sizes: 3, 4 & 5
Perfect for: Weekly training sessions, schools and colleges, and club training programmes.
Celebrating around 20 years in the range, the latest Pro Trainer is the best version yet. Completely redesigned for a softer, more responsive touch while keeping the durability clubs have trusted for decades. It offers excellent value and reliable performance, and is tough enough for heavy weekly use.
Pro Coach
Sizes: 3, 4 & 5
Perfect for: Football coaches, football schools and academy training sessions.
Introduced recently to instant success, the Pro Coach ball is designed specifically for coaches who need a responsive football capable of withstanding constant use throughout the season. In addition to its durable construction, it is known for its consistent performance and excellent responsiveness.
Junior Match Ball
Sizes: 3 & 4
Perfect for: Junior league matches, academy games and grassroots clubs seeking value without compromise.
Designed specifically for grassroots football, the all-new Junior Match Ball gives young players a genuine match-day experience without the premium price tag. Its features include an excellent feel and control, a high-air-retention bladder, strong performance in colder conditions, and an exclusive Diamond design.
Club Match
Sizes: 3, 4 & 5
Perfect for: Saturday and Sunday league football, competitive youth football and academy fixtures.
Introduced around a decade ago, the Club Match football delivers premium match-day performance. A high-grade PU outer layer, foam-backed construction for enhanced touch, outstanding shape retention, a high air retention bladder and consistent flight characteristics.
Pro Match
Sizes: 3, 4 & 5
Perfect for: Men's and women's teams at elite and grassroots levels, as well as elite youth football and academy matches.
For clubs seeking the highest level of performance. Using advanced moulded construction technology, the Pro Match football delivers exceptional consistency and durability. It boasts a moulded construction, is virtually 100% waterproof, offers excellent flight dynamics, and features premium materials throughout.
Bulk buy footballs for clubs, schools & academies
Buying for a club, school, academy or community programme? When you bulk buy footballs with Diamond, you’ll unlock multi-buy discounts and dedicated team pricing across the full range. Whether you need a stack of ICON training balls or a set of Pro Match balls, ordering in volume is the smart way to buy footballs for the season ahead.
Contact Diamond Football today for a quotation.
Frequently asked questions about how to choose the right football to buy
What size football should I buy?
Size 5 suits players aged 14 and over as well as adults; size 4 is for ages 11-14; size 3 is for ages 5–10; and size 2 is for younger children under 5.
What is the difference between a training ball and a match ball?
Training balls are built to withstand heavy, repeated use at a lower price, making them ideal for weekly sessions. Match balls use higher-grade materials, boast better air retention and offer more consistent flight characteristics for competitive fixtures.
Can I bulk-buy footballs for a club, school, or academy?
Diamond Football offers multi-buy discounts and team pricing when you buy footballs in bulk for clubs, schools, academies and community programmes. Contact the team for a quotation.
Which football is best for coaching sessions?
The Diamond Pro Coach is designed specifically for coaches who need a responsive ball that withstands constant use throughout the season, making it ideal for football schools and academy training.
What football should I buy for artificial or 3G pitches?
Most standard outdoor footballs, including durable training balls such as the Pro Trainer and ICON, are suitable for grass and popular artificial surfaces such as 3G and Astroturf. Choose a hard-wearing construction for frequent 3G use.
