McDonald’s Fun Football: Free Football for Kids Aged 5-11

Last updated 10th September 2026

McDonald’s Fun Football: Free Football for Kids Aged 5-11

McDonald’s Fun Football gives children aged 5 to 11 free football coaching sessions across the UK.

The current autumn programme is running at more than 400 locations on selected dates until the 25th of October, with one-hour sessions led by qualified coaches. You don’t need to buy anything from McDonald’s to take part, but your child does need a booked place.

The sessions are designed for children of all abilities, including those who are completely new to football. They focus on basic football skills, confidence and having fun, rather than expecting children to already play for a club. Pan-disability, deaf and visual impairment sessions are also available in some areas.

How do you book McDonald’s Fun Football?

Start by using the McDonald’s Fun Football booking system to find sessions near you. You can search for a local centre, see the dates and times currently available and register your child for the session you want. Spaces are limited, so I wouldn’t leave it until the day if you’ve got a particular date or time in mind.

For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can book current sessions online. In Scotland, booking works slightly differently, and you may need to use the contact route for your local region. You can currently register up to five children per household, subject to space availability.

Don’t just turn up without booking. Unregistered children can’t normally join a session on the day, and full centres may offer a waiting list if a space becomes available. Check the deadline shown for your chosen session and, where possible, book at least 24 hours beforehand.

Are McDonald’s Fun Football sessions really free?

Yes. McDonald’s Fun Football sessions are completely free, and you don’t need to buy food, download the McDonald’s app, or spend anything in a restaurant to take part. There’s no minimum spend attached to the sessions either, so you only need to find a suitable session and then book your child onto it.

For families who want to let a child try football without paying for regular coaching or joining a club, the sessions are well worth knowing about. It’s also useful if your child already enjoys football and wants some extra time playing and learning new skills. If they decide football isn’t for them, you haven’t paid for lessons they don’t want to continue.

What age is McDonald’s Fun Football for?

McDonald’s Fun Football is for children aged 5 to 11 at the time of the session. If your child has already turned 12 by the day they attend, they won’t be eligible for that session. Boys and girls can take part, and children don’t need to have played organised football before.

The regular sessions are particularly suitable for beginners, but children with more experience can join too. Activities can be adapted to suit different ages and abilities, so a child trying football for the first time won’t be expected to keep up with someone who already plays every week. It gives children a fairly low-pressure way to try football and see whether they enjoy it.

What happens at a McDonald’s Fun Football session?

Each session normally lasts around one hour, with the exact start and finish time shown when you book. Children take part in game-based activities designed to build basic football skills, movement, balance, coordination and confidence. The emphasis is on getting involved and enjoying football rather than playing a highly competitive match.

All Fun Football coaches hold at least an FA Level 1 coaching qualification and have current enhanced DBS checks, first-aid training and safeguarding certificates. Coaches also receive extra training through partners working on inclusive football, helping sessions support children with different needs and abilities. That gives parents some useful reassurance about the people running the sessions.

What does your child need to take?

Your child should arrive in suitable sports or football clothing, appropriate footwear and with plenty of water. The playing surface can vary between venues, so check the details for the centre you’ve booked before deciding what footwear they should use. If the session is outdoors, dress for the weather.

You don’t need to buy a football kit just for the session. Comfortable sportswear that is suitable for the venue is the main thing, unless your individual booking gives you more specific instructions. There’s no need to turn up looking like they’re about to make their Premier League debut.

Are there inclusive and disability football sessions?

Yes. McDonald’s Fun Football includes mainstream sessions as well as pan-disability, deaf and visual impairment football sessions in some areas. The programme works with organisations including Access Sport, British Blind Sport and UK Deaf Sport to help make football more accessible to disabled and neurodivergent children.

Individual centres can offer different types of support, so check the session details before booking if your child has particular needs. Some sessions are specifically designed around particular disabilities or additional needs, while others are broader inclusive sessions. That makes it worth checking more than one nearby centre if the first option doesn’t quite suit your child.

Do parents need to stay during McDonald’s Fun Football?

Parents and guardians should plan to remain on site for the full one-hour session, although individual centres can have different arrangements. Double-check the instructions shown on your booking confirmation or the page for the session you’ve booked, as your particular centre may have different rules. If in doubt, assume you’ll stay for the full hour.

Can children attend more than one Fun Football session?

Yes. Children can attend more than one McDonald’s Fun Football session as long as places are available, so there’s no need to treat it as a one-off if your child enjoys it. If another suitable session has space, you can book them in again.

I wouldn’t book several sessions unless you expect your child to attend them, because places can be limited and another family may be waiting. If your plans change, you can manage the booking through your Fun Football account or the reminder email, which then frees the place up for somebody else rather than wasting it.

What if the McDonald’s Fun Football locations near you are full?

If the session you want is full, look for a waiting-list option or search for another nearby centre. If a space opens up on a waiting list, they can contact you and allow you to book it. Availability can change, so it’s worth checking again if your first choice is full.

The current programme has sessions at more than 400 locations, but that doesn’t mean every area will have the same number of dates or spaces. Use the main Fun Football booking system to check availability, as locations and session dates can change. The current autumn sessions run on selected dates until the 25th of October, so if you want a particular weekend or local centre, I’d check sooner rather than later.

McDonald’s Fun Football frequently asked questions.

How much does McDonald’s Fun Football cost?

McDonald’s Fun Football sessions are free. You don’t need to buy food or make another McDonald’s purchase, but your child does need a booked place.

What age is McDonald’s Fun Football for?

McDonald’s Fun Football is for children aged 5 to 11 at the time of the session. Children who have already turned 12 by the day they attend aren’t eligible for that session.

How long is a McDonald’s Fun Football session?

A McDonald’s Fun Football session normally lasts around one hour. The exact start and finish time is shown when you choose and book your local session.

How do I find McDonald’s Fun Football near me?

Use the McDonald’s Fun Football booking page to search for current sessions near you. The autumn programme is running at more than 400 locations on selected dates until the 25th of October.

Can my child attend more than one McDonald’s Fun Football session?

Yes. Children can attend more than one session as long as places are available, so they can book again if they enjoy it and another suitable session has space.

Do parents need to stay at McDonald’s Fun Football?

Parents and guardians should plan to remain on site for the full one-hour session, although arrangements can differ between centres. Check the instructions for the exact session you’ve booked in case your venue has different rules.

Are there McDonald’s Fun Football sessions for disabled children?

Yes. Pan-disability, deaf and visual impairment sessions are available in some areas, alongside mainstream sessions for children of all abilities. Check the session details to find the best option for your child.