Water polo pool size and markings
Scope: Standard seven-a-side World Aquatics field of play, February 2026 regulations.
The marked playing area is a rectangle within the pool. It is measured between the inner edges of the goal lines and side lines, rather than between the pool walls.
Current dimensions
| Measurement | World Aquatics requirement |
|---|---|
| Length between goal lines | 25.00 metres |
| Width between side lines | 20.00 metres |
| Minimum water depth throughout the playing area | 2.00 metres |
These dimensions apply to both men’s and women’s standard matches under this edition. The older description of a 30-metre men’s field is not the current specification in this rulebook. Junior, masters, local and four-a-side formats must be checked separately.
What the lines mean
- Two metres: helps define the goal area and attacking positioning restrictions.
- Five metres: the line from which a penalty throw is released.
- Six metres: defines the defensive six-metre area used in several goalkeeper and penalty-foul rules.
- Halfway: divides the playing area into two halves.
The goal area is a specific rectangle extending two metres out from the goal line and two metres beyond the outside of each post. It is not the entire strip across the pool inside the two-metre line.
Sources and review
Reviewed on against World Aquatics Competition Regulations, Part Six, Articles 16, 20 and 21.7. This is an introduction; the full rules and the regulations for your competition take precedence.