What makes football an easy to pick up and play with friends?
The fact that a flat playing surface and two goalposts are all you need to kick the football ball around and have some fun.
Pop-up football goals are perfect for little football fans, and even adults, to enjoy a spontaneous football game at the park or the beach. Compact and portable, they are super handy for practice sessions on the go.
After going through the performance and specifications, we have listed the 9 best pop-up football goals in this article. A short buying guide to help you choose has also been added.
1. Franklin Sports Blackhawk Pop-Up Football Net
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design
- Holds up well
- Affordable option
Cons
- Not the sturdiest pop-up goal
- Not easy to fold up
The Franklin Sports Blackhawk football goal is available in four sizes and is an affordable option that gets the job done. The lightweight design and the supplied carry bag make it a highly portable option.
To ensure durability, the corners are reinforced steel and the ground stakes are galvanized steel. Set it up in your backyard and it will easily withstand wear and tear for years.
On the downside, assembling and disassembling multiple sections requires time. Also, unless you are careful, the net might get tangled while taking the goal down. And with time, the fiberglass poles shed slivers that might hurt your hands.
Note, this goal is designed for younger players and only smaller sizes are available. This isn’t a goal that will take high-power shots from adult players.
At this price, the Blackhawk is a good option for 4-5-year old players.
2. Golme Pro Pop Up Football Goal
Pros
- A set of 2 goals
- Easy to set up
- Excellent portability
- Offers solid value
Cons
- The plastic pegs are not the best
- Best for grass fields
This is a set of 2 pop-up football goals that offer excellent value for practice sessions. They are available in 3 different sizes and the performance is impressive.
If the low price tag makes you a bit skeptical about the quality, there’s no need to worry. They may not look so, but the goals are super sturdy. And once staked properly, they stick to the ground like a champ.
Golme mentions that the frame is “indestructible”. While that may be an overstatement, these bad boys can easily collect powerful shots without flying off.
Besides, they come with a one-year warranty and Golme has dependable customer service.
The setup process is simple and there is no chance of the collapsible football net getting tangled. Once you get used to the mechanism, setting up and collapsing these goals is super easy.
Overall, these are one of the best portable football goals for U6, U8, and U10 matches. However, the small size limits usage. And considering the quality of the pegs, they are best for grass fields only.
3. PUGG 6 Foot Portable Football Goal
Pros
- Well-built frame
- Easy setup and take down
- A slim form factor
- 2 years of warranty
Cons
- The stakes could be longer
- Only for grass fields
Weighing just 7 pounds per pair, the portable goal set from Pugg is a great option for small-sided practice sessions.
It pops open with a quick twist and collapses into a flat oval shape that is easy to store. Besides, you can store two goals in the single carry bag.
The frame is made from alloy steel enclosed in a heavy-duty Denier nylon sheath. The net material is durable and can withstand the elements and abuse effectively. I have known coaches who have used them for years without any issues.
That said, these goals are best for U10 football players and are not sturdy enough to withstand power shots. Likewise, they aren’t the best choice in windy conditions. However, they are great for a fun football session in the backyard, or in the park.
4. L RUNNZER Portable Football Goal
Pros
- Made from quality materials
- Weather resistant goal
- 2 years of warranty
- A trapezoidal shape makes it a practical option
Cons
- Not for players of higher skill levels
- The fiberglass poles can break
The L Runnzer mini football goals are a good choice for backyard training sessions or small pick-up games.
Made from 8 mm lightweight fiberglass poles and a high-quality Oxford fabric mesh, this set of 2 goals has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Note, the initial setup process will take a few minutes. However, once set, it offers better stability than most pop-up football nets. Four steel stakes keep the goals steady in windy conditions.
However, it isn’t the most compact portable football goal when folded. Smaller kids will find it difficult to carry the bag around. Then again, the fiberglass poles aren’t the strongest options and can break under heavy impacts.
On the plus side, the customer service is great. The “company reached out and sent us a new set. Really appreciate the quick response and the good customer service” says one customer.
5. SKLZ Quickster Portable Football Goal
Pros
- A good choice for serious training
- A durable design
- Advanced frame technology
- Velcro net attachments
Cons
- An expensive option
The SKLZ Quickster is a foldable football goal designed for high-intensity training. The Quickster is available in 3 different sizes and is a practical choice for more experienced football players.
Made from a steel frame and a 2-ply netting, the goal offers solid durability.
The connection points use Tension-Tite technology that ensures that the frame remains sturdy. In fact, it is one of the best pop-up football goals that can withstand gale-force winds.
The click-lock tubing makes the set-up and tear-down process super easy. It is easy to pack away and the storage bag is of good quality. Keep in mind that the 12’ x 6’ variety is on the heavier side with a weight of 18 pounds.
But the poles will get rusted if you expose it to the elements for longer periods. There might be better options out there if this is something that concerns you.
6. PowerNet Football Goal
Pros
- Good for players of all ages
- Robust build quality
- Resistant to abuse
- Reliable customer service
Cons
- It is a pricey option for a single goal
In terms of build quality, this football goal from Powernet can easily be ranked among the best pop-up football goals in the market.
The frame is sturdy enough to absorb the impact from football balls of larger sizes. Even a direct hit on the top post will not unbalance this goal.
Setting it up and reassembling is simple and takes around 2-3 minutes. Since it can withstand harsh weather conditions, you can leave it standing all through the year.
While this is best for U12 players, even older players can use it for mini-football games. However, at 32 pounds it is on the heavier side. So, this is not a football goal that you would want to fold up every day.
The PowerNet football goal is one of the best options when it comes to handling frequent action. Still, it falls short of the quality and features that you will find in an Open Goaaal. For me, the super useful backstop feature in the Open Goaaal product is a big plus.
7. Amazon Basics Pop Up Football Goal Net Set
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes in a set of 2
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- Not for more experienced players
The Amazon Basics football net gets top marks for being a portable and affordable pop-up goal. Like most lightweight goals, it uses a fiberglass frame. Reinforced Oxford fabric adds to the overall durability.
Overall stability is good. While they are not meant for high-power shots, these goals don’t tip over easily. But the lightweight design makes them unsuitable for windy conditions.
The Amazon Basics goal excels when it comes to portability. Once packed in the carry bag, they do not take up much space either. And when it comes to folding and unfolding, these are one of the easiest pop-up goals you can pick.
That said, the PVC grounders are not of the best quality. I wish Amazon had added metal pegs for fixing the goals.
If you ask me, I will go for the Pugg pop-up goal since it comes with a 2-year warranty.
8. JOOLA Sport Squad Portable Football Goal
Pros
- Sturdy design with good stability
- Durable metal stakes
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- Not for serious football training
- Small goal size
This might look like another compact pop-up goal designed for kids. But the JoolaSport squad has a few features that make it stand apart.
Firstly, you get two goals at an affordable price which makes it a value-for-money option. Also, the fiberglass poles are reinforced at the corners and do not flip over after connecting with a hard shot.
Beyond that, the goals come with metal stakes that feel more robust than the plastic options. In terms of portability, they are as good as other pop-up goals of this size.
Setting up the goals is simple. It may take you a few tries to get the folding mechanism right. Once you get a hang of it, it’s easy enough.
The durability of the net materials is average at best. But considering the price tag, that is acceptable. Besides, these goals are designed for informal football sessions and not for serious training.
9. Franklin Sports Pop Up Dome Shaped Goals
Pros
- Simple to set up
- Easy to carry around
- Can be used in all-weather conditions
Cons
- Only suitable for kids
These goals from Franklin are great for backyard practice sessions or short-sided games. As expected, the main structure is a lightweight fiberglass frame with a durable net connected to it.
Since they are easy to assemble and fold away, the goals are great for carrying in the park or the beach. It comes with steel stakes that won’t break away easily.
In terms of design, it is nothing fancy. Keep in mind, the lighter weight makes the goals vulnerable to wind. Also, the fiberglass segments are held together by plastic connectors. So, the poles might get disconnected from the joints with hard shots.
In short, they are a good voice for 4-5-year-olds. For more advanced players, you will need a more stable and robust football goal.
The Best Pop Up Football Goals - Buying Guide
So you have set up a DIY football field and are ready to buy a pop-up football goal. Here are the points you need to keep in mind.
Ease Of Set Up
The main purpose of picking a pop-up football net is to set it up quickly and start playing. That means the mechanism for assembling the goal should be quick and simple. Some of the best pop-up goals are set just by releasing it from the carry bag.
Material And Durability
The two main components of a pop-up goal are the frames and a net. The frame is made from PVC, aluminum, or fiberglass. Aluminum poles last the longest, but are more expensive. Fiberglass frames are cheaper and lighter, but have lower strength than aluminum. PVC is the least durable choice.
Nettings are usually made from high-quality nylon that will not rip apart after a few months of use. It is best to choose a net made from UV-resistant material that can withstand sunlight.
Portability
It goes without saying that a big plus of pop-up goals is their compact size and high portability. However, you need to balance the lighter weight with the overall durability of the goal.
While lightweight goals aren’t the best for serious training, they are good enough for fun sessions. Make sure that the goal comes with a decent-sized bag to pack and carry it around.
Size
The perfect size of a football goal will depend on the playing area, the number of players, and their skills. Obviously, placing a goalkeeper to guard a small-size goal will make it difficult to score.
You do not need a full-size football goal for kids who have just started enjoying the game. A 6’x4’ goal should be good enough for them. For older kids, you can pick larger sizes like an 8’x5’ or a 12’x6’ goal. This will help them to practice different kinds of shots and improve their game.
Warranty
Quite simply, the best pop-up football goals do not come cheap. So, when the manufacturer backs the product with a considerable warranty, it is reassuring. Generally, pop-up goals come with a warranty of 1 or 2 years.
However, some brands may provide an extended warranty of 5 years.
FAQs
Are portable football goals only for children?
Yes. For advanced players who shoot harder, it is best to pick a regulation-size football goal with proper anchoring or a counterbalance mechanism.
Do portable football goals need netting?
All football goals need netting so that you can clearly see if a shot has landed in the goal. Besides it also improves the playing experience.
Can pop-up football goals be used without pegs?
Using pop-up goals without pegs will cause them to topple over from the shots or the wind. This will lead to a loss of time and affect the continuity of the game.
Why should I get a portable football goal?
A portable backyard football goal is a good choice when you need to enjoy some fun time with the kids. It can also be a good choice to introduce the kids to football. Since you can carry it around, it is a versatile option.
Final Thoughts
So, these are some of the best portable football goals when you are seeking an entry-level, affordable option. They will allow you to enjoy a casual game no matter whether you are in a park or the backyard.
To be honest, even the best pop-up football goals are not designed for serious practice sessions. And dome-shaped training goals are not a practical choice for players who have improved their game.
