How to Become a Football Referee in the UK (Costs & Salary Explained)

If you love football but your knees are starting to argue back, refereeing might be one of the most underrated side hustles in the UK.

Because here’s the part most people miss:

Refereeing two matches most weekends can realistically earn you around £2,000 per season — and with midweek games or cup fixtures, that can stretch towards £3,000.

Not bad for something that keeps you fit and involved in the game. Let’s take a look at the figures and what’s actually involved.

I played football for over 20 years — nothing glamorous, just proper Sunday league stuff. And I always wondered how referees did it. Ninety minutes of running. Criticism from both teams. Zero applause unless you’re invisible.

But here’s the truth: grassroots football is short of referees. County FAs across England are actively recruiting. That matters because it means work is available.

So let’s break down how to become a football referee in England, what it costs, and what you can genuinely expect to earn.

👉 If you’re keen to make more money, take a look at my page on the best side hustles.

How to Become a Football Referee in England

All referee training is overseen by The Football Association and delivered via your local County FA.

You must be at least 14 years old to start.

Step 1: Complete the Online Learning

Before attending practical training, you complete two online modules through The FA learning portal:

Laws of the Game
Safeguarding for All

The Laws of the Game covers:

• Before the match
• Signals and communication
• Getting it right
• Offside
• Managing restarts

It takes around 2 hours.

Safeguarding for All takes roughly 45 minutes and is mandatory, particularly for youth football.

These modules form part of the official FA qualification pathway.

Step 2: Attend Your County FA Referee Course

Once online learning is complete, you book onto your County FA referee course.

Most courses:

• Last around 11 hours
• Combine classroom and practical learning
• Cover positioning, communication and match control
• Include assistant referee training
• Include your DBS check

Cost: typically £140–£150 for the 2025/26 season.

This normally includes:

• FA registration
• DBS check
• Qualification certificate
• Basic starter equipment

After completing the course, you must referee five matches. Some counties also require a short follow-up session before final sign-off.

Once complete, you receive your referee badge.

What Level Do You Start At?

Adults typically enter the pathway at Level 7 (Junior County Referee).

Youth referees (under 16) enter under the youth pathway before progressing.

From there, promotion depends on performance and assessments.

At the top end, referees officiate in competitions like the Premier League and the English Football League, managed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

That’s a long road. Most referees operate at grassroots level — and that’s where steady side income lives.

How Much Do Football Referees Get Paid?

Grassroots Match Fees (2026)

Fees vary by region, but typical rates now look like this:

Youth 7v7: £25–£30
Youth 11v11: £30–£40
Adult grassroots: £40–£55 (higher in London and major cities)
Assistant referee: £5–£15 less

Let’s be realistic about season length.

Most grassroots seasons run for around 22–25 active weekends once you account for:

• Christmas breaks
• Frozen pitches
• Postponements
• End-of-season taper

Example:

Two adult games per weekend at £45
25-week season
= £2,250

Add midweek school matches or cup fixtures and you can comfortably push beyond £2,500–£3,000.

Even one match per weekend at £40 across 25 weeks earns £1,000.

That’s meaningful money for something that takes roughly 2–3 hours including travel.

Professional Referee Salary

At the very top level, earnings are significantly higher.

Top-flight referees in England reportedly earn base salaries ranging roughly from £70,000 to well over £100,000, with match fees and bonuses on top.

But that’s full-time and extremely competitive.

The realistic and accessible opportunity is grassroots.

Important: The Tax Bit

Referees are treated as self-employed.

You can earn up to £1,000 per year tax-free under the Trading Allowance.

If you earn more than £1,000 (which you likely will if doing weekly matches), you technically need to declare that income to HMRC and complete a self-assessment tax return.

It’s not complicated — but it’s something many new referees don’t realise.

Costs to Consider

Initial course: £140–£150
Annual registration renewal: typically £20–£30

Equipment:

• Shirts (£10–£50)
• Shorts and socks
• Cards and notebook
• Watch
• Decent boots

Don’t underestimate footwear. Refereeing 180 minutes on a Sunday in cheap trainers is a fast track to sore knees.

Still, your initial outlay can usually be recovered within your first 4–5 games.

Is Refereeing Worth It as a Side Hustle?

Financially, yes.

The hourly return is strong.
Demand exists.
Startup costs are modest.
The schedule is flexible.

But let’s be honest:

You will get shouted at.
Parents can be worse than players.
You need confidence and thick skin.

If that doesn’t put you off, refereeing can:

• Keep you fit
• Build decision-making confidence
• Bring in £2,000+ per season
• Keep you part of the game

And if you’re already spending Sundays watching football, you could be earning from it instead.

Other ways to earn from football

If you’re a big sports fan, take a look at how to get the most money from selling your old football shirts.

FAQ: Becoming a Football Referee in the UK