How Many Substitutions in Football? Match Limits & Rules
When you watch a football match, you’ll often see players being swapped on and off the pitch. These changes, known as substitutions, have the potential to change the flow of a game. Managers use them to freshen tired legs, adjust tactics, or respond to an opponent’s move.
For fans, knowing the substitution rules can help make matches easier to follow. For those who bet on football, understanding when and how players might be replaced can add extra context to the markets offered by bookmakers.
This guide explains how substitution rules work in the UK, why they exist, and how they can affect both the match and betting markets.
What Are the Current Substitution Rules in Football?
In top-level UK football, including the Premier League and the English Football League, each team can make up to five substitutions during a match.
These changes are limited to three stoppage opportunities during play, to avoid constant delays. Half-time does not count as one of these opportunities, and managers can bring on more than one player at once.
If the match goes into extra time, competitions usually allow a sixth substitution. This rule is most common in knockout games, such as the FA Cup, where extra minutes may be added if the score is level after 90 minutes.
Substitutions aren’t only tactical—they also protect players from fatigue and injury. With busy schedules, particularly in English football, having the option of more substitutions helps reduce strain on players while keeping the game flowing.
How Many Subs Can You Make in Football?
The number of substitutions depends on the competition rules, but in most professional UK matches:
- Up to five players can be replaced.
- Substitutions are spread across three in-play opportunities.
- Extra time may permit one additional change.
Teams usually name up to nine players on the bench, though only five can be used. This gives managers tactical flexibility, but they must choose carefully when to make changes. For example, a manager may hold back substitutions until late in the game to bring on fresh attackers, or to protect a narrow lead.
At grassroots level, rules can vary. Friendlies and youth matches sometimes allow rolling substitutions, where players can come off and then re-join later. That’s different from the professional game, where once a player is replaced, they cannot return.
Why Did the Number of Substitutions Change?
Before 2020, teams were restricted to three substitutions in most competitions. During that year, fixture congestion led to higher risks of injury, and the International Football Association Board (IFAB)—which sets the Laws of the Game—introduced five substitutions as a temporary measure.
After reviewing the impact, many leagues, including the Premier League, made the change permanent from the 2022/23 season. This decision supported player welfare, while still limiting stoppages through the three-opportunity rule.
Managers now use substitutions more creatively. For example, they might rotate wingers to try and maintain pace, or introduce defensive players to protect a lead. Substitutions have become as much a part of tactical planning as formations or set pieces.
Substitution Rules in Domestic Leagues
In the Premier League and English Football League:
- Five substitutions are allowed.
- Play may be stopped on three occasions for changes.
- Half-time switches don’t count towards those stoppages.
Each team can list up to nine substitutes. This allows cover for every position, including goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
Domestic cups, such as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, follow the same rules, but add flexibility for extra time, where one more substitution is usually allowed.
Another area to note is concussion substitutions. If a player is suspected of concussion, the team can make a permanent replacement that does not count towards the normal allocation. This ensures player safety is prioritised without penalising the team making the change.
For bettors, these rules can affect markets such as first goalscorer (a bet on which player you think will score the opening goal) or player props (bets on individual player actions, like shots on target). If a player is substituted early, they may not have as much time to influence these bets. Bookmakers often have different rules for settling these markets, so it can be sensible to check the terms before placing a bet.
Substitution Limits in International Competitions
At international tournaments, such as the World Cup or the European Championship, the rules are very similar:
- Five substitutions allowed during 90 minutes.
- Three substitution opportunities during play.
- A sixth substitution permitted if the game goes into extra time.
Extra time also comes with additional windows to make changes, including the break before it begins and the short interval between the two extra-time periods.
National teams usually bring larger squads than domestic clubs, giving coaches more flexibility over several matches. For example, England’s squad at Euro 2024 had 26 players, meaning substitutions were often used strategically to spread minutes across the tournament.
When betting on international matches, keep in mind that some markets apply only to the 90 minutes of normal time, while others might include extra time. Market rules should explain this clearly.
Extra Time and Additional Substitutions
When a match cannot be settled in 90 minutes, extra time is played. Fatigue becomes a major factor, so competition organisers often allow an extra substitution during this stage. That means a team could use up to six changes in total.
In addition to the three substitution windows available in normal time, teams are given another opportunity to make changes in extra time. The break before extra time begins, as well as the brief pause between the two halves, can also be used to introduce players without affecting the count of in-play opportunities.
For example, in a World Cup knockout match, a manager might use all five substitutions in 90 minutes, then bring on a fresh striker in extra time. This is especially important when matches are heading towards penalties, as substitutions can be used to introduce specialist penalty takers or goalkeepers.
From a betting perspective, this can influence markets that include extra time, such as to qualify bets (trying to predict which team will progress to the next round, regardless of whether it happens in normal time, extra time, or penalties). These differ from match result bets, which only cover the 90 minutes plus added time.
What Is the Role of the Fourth Official in Substitutions?
The fourth official plays a central role in substitutions. Managers inform them when a change is planned. The fourth official checks that the substitution is within the rules and ensures the incoming player is ready.
Once the referee allows it, the fourth official uses the electronic board to show the numbers of the players coming off and going on. This same board is used later to display the minimum amount of added time.
They also help organise multiple substitutions, making sure the process is clear for players, coaches, and fans. Beyond substitutions, the fourth official acts as a link between the referee, assistants, and technical staff, keeping the match orderly.
How Do Temporary Concussion Substitutions Work?
Temporary concussion substitutions have been trialled in the past but are not currently permitted in UK competitions. Instead, domestic leagues use permanent concussion substitutions.
This means that if a player is suspected of having a concussion, a permanent replacement can come on immediately. This change is in addition to the five allowed substitutions, so the team is not disadvantaged.
Medical staff have the final say, and referees will stop the game to allow assessment. The rule is designed to protect players’ long-term health and remove pressure on managers to keep injured players on the pitch.
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