If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best portable soccer goal for pickup games is, then I’d recommend the GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal as the best one.
In the summertime, playing a pickup game of soccer in the backyard or driveway is a lot of fun. Having a soccer goal that is easy to set up and take down is a huge benefit for families with soccer enthusiasts. With different sizes and styles, you have a lot of options when it comes to portable soccer goals.
It’s important to choose a portable soccer goal that fits your family’s style and the types of soccer you play whether its family games, goal practice, or team play. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best portable soccer goal for pickup games for your needs.
Here are the top portable soccer goals we’ll be reviewing:
- Franklin Sports Blackhawk Soccer Goal
- GoSports Soccer Goal Nets
- GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal
- PowerNet Soccer Goal
- PUGG 6 Foot Portable Soccer & Football Goal Boxed Set
Best Portable Soccer Goal for Pickup Games Buying Guide
Considerations When Choosing a Portable Soccer Goal
Size
Officially, a soccer goal should be eight feet high and 24 feet wide. This standard size is used in all professional, college, and high school games. If you are interested, you can find portable goals in this size as well. Otherwise, there are four possible sized portable goals available for purchase. What size you need will depend on the age of the players.
- 4 ½ feet by 9 feet – Appropriate for U6 soccer players
- 6 ½ feet by 12 feet – Appropriate for U8 soccer players
- 6 ½ feet by 18 ½ feet – Appropriate for U10 soccer players
- 7 feet by 21 feet – Appropriate for U12 soccer players
Remember that portable goals are not as sturdy as regulation goals and can fall over when they are hit with a soccer ball.
Construction
Aluminum is the most used material when it comes to portable soccer goals. More lightweight than steel, aluminum lets you easily transport the goal. Plus, you can get a solid rebound from a soccer ball, and it holds up well to different weather conditions over time. You will find that many aluminum portable goals will feature a track for net clips that allow you to set them up faster.
If you choose a plastic soccer goal, keep in mind that these are primarily good for soccer practice due to their portability and size. They can be used outside due to the incorporated UV stabilization during their manufacturing process.
Both aluminum and plastic soccer goals are pretty much indestructible. Many of these goals have an almost permanent installation in their set up process, so it helps if you have some dedicated space if your soccer enthusiast plans to do a lot of training. You will also find these somewhat permanent soccer goals at recreation departments and parks since they are more affordable in comparison to a permanent goal.
Goal Style
As far as goal style, there are three basic categories to choose from that does not include permanent soccer goals:
Portable Soccer Goals
Perfect for the backyard, portable soccer goals set up quickly and easily. You can also easily lift them out of your way when you are mowing the lawn, or even just disassemble it quickly when you need to carry it somewhere else and put it into its carry bag. Typically, they are made with fiberglass poles, similar to pop up tents, as well as strong netting. Plus, you can find them in a range of sizes.
Semi-Permanent Soccer Goals
If you can find a dedicated spot for a sturdy, good quality soccer goal for a long period of time, a semi-permanent soccer goal might be a good choice for you. You will want to look for a soccer goal that is pretty sturdy and can handle rebounds off the posts. These semi-permanent goals can be taken down for winter months if you want to help extend their lifespan. Typically, they are designed to be weather-resistant, and they are deeper and larger than pop-up goals giving you a more realistic experience.
Pop-Up Goals
Very simple and portable, pop-ups are basically your budget goals. They are perfect for backyard soccer practice, or if you need to play a scrimmage and you don’t have a goalie. These are not the type of goals to leave out all summer, but they can set up in just a few seconds and they pack away super easy. Typically, they come with stakes that are also easy to put in the ground and also go into the carrying bag.
Benefits of Owning a Portable Soccer Goal
The benefit of owning a portable soccer goal is the practice you can get at home. You can work on your goalkeeping or shooting at any time. A lot of these portable goals are easy to set up and can be up in your backyard in a matter of minutes. If you have a large goal, the nets are perfect for framing and corralling the ball, plus they come with sturdy pins to keep the goal in place.
Either made from high-quality PVC or aluminum, many of these portable soccer goals let you keep them up all year long. This allows you the opportunity to practice whenever you want.
If you are working with a soccer team, having a portable soccer goal lets you hold more soccer drills during practice.
If you have just one goal, it limits the number of practice shots your team can make in comparison to having three. Plus, this can minimize waiting time for youth soccer so they don’t get bored and have an effective practice session.
Best Portable Soccer Goals Showdown
Franklin Sports Blackhawk Soccer Goal
The Franklin Sports Blackhawk Soccer Goal is portable and perfect for either outdoor or indoor play. Easily folding up for storage, the Blackhawk is the perfect goal if you just playing for fun or if you are training. This is a great choice for impromptu games since it’s so portable and lightweight.
The design of the goal consists of steel and fiberglass construction that is durable and stable. An included set of peg hooks helps to secure the goal for those hard hits, and a carrying case makes it easy to transport. The Franklin Sports Blackhawk Soccer Goal is a weather-resistant soccer goal that makes practicing goals easy and fun.
Both easy to set up and takedown, the Franklin Sports Blackhawk Soccer Goal is an affordable goal for your soccer enthusiast. It is also a great choice for pick up neighborhood games, team practice, or a fun family game in the backyard.
Pros:
- This is a nice quality and sturdy net
- It is a great set for young kids
- This is a good practice net
Cons:
- It is not easy to set up or disassemble
- It collapses easily with a strong wind
GoSports Soccer Goal Nets
Featuring a set of two nets, the GoSports Foldable Soccer Goal nets are easy to pop up and carry with you in the included carrying case. There are three sizes to choose from making the GoSports Soccer Goal versatile enough for both adults and children. These nets provide a great value with a nice solid build for both practice and gameplay.
The GoSports Goal Nets are made of premium nylon fabric with netting that can handle strong shots. You also get a really easy break down that only requires a simple fold to be placed in the included travel case. Created for games, scrimmages, and training, these goal nets can be used anywhere including the beach.
Included stakes make it easy to secure the goal to the ground for those intense games. With reflective, high-visibility fabric, you can also use the goals in low-light conditions. The GoSports Soccer Goal Nets come with six training cones and a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- It sets up quickly and works well for little kids
- It easily pops open and is ready for kids to play with
- The goals are pretty durable with a good build quality
Cons:
- Plastic stakes break easily
- It doesn’t fold down easily and compactly
GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal
Featuring two pop up nets, the GOLME PRO is easy to carry anywhere and comes with a carrying bag. Available in three sizes, you can create an instant soccer game no matter where you are. Once you are done, simply twist the net down for easy storage
With several sizes to choose from the GOLME Pro has a soccer goal for each skill set and is a safe net for any age player to use. Constructed with an indestructible X-Strong frame, these nets feature a reflective and high-intensity net that will give your kids hours of soccer fun. You also get multi-grip stakes that easy to stick in the ground to anchor the goal during play.
Pros:
- This goal breaks down easily and pops up in a second
- The stakes are sturdy and hold the goal well in the wind
- It holds up well to rough play
Cons:
- The carrying bag is not very durable
- The smaller goal is not big enough for kids, so purchase the bigger size
PowerNet Soccer Goal
Measuring 6 x 12 inches, the PowerNet Soccer Goal is a portable goal with a collapsible metal base. It features a quick setup and easy folding takedown. Included with the goal are fiberglass vertical bow poles and a carrying bag.
Assembly of the PowerNet Soccer Goal requires no tools, and the included metal stakes add to the goal’s stability allowing it to handle hard shots. The carrying bag makes it easy to store and transport in pretty much any type of vehicle. It also works well for indoor and outdoor use.
Portable and lightweight, the PowerNet Soccer Goal will perform well for full field games, goalie training, team training, and scrimmages. You can also easily move the goal when you are on the field.
Pros:
- This goal works really well and is very durable
- This is a well built and solid net
- Good quality net that comes with tie-downs and a carrying case
Cons:
- The goals bend when you pound them into the ground
- You need more than one person to assemble and disassemble the goal
PUGG 6 Foot Portable Soccer & Football Goal Boxed Set
The six-foot PUGG Goal is designed to pop up for easy assembly. This goal set is perfect for either football or success providing great performance and portability. With its easy to use the twist to close design, you can fold it down to just one inch allowing it to easily fit into the included carrying case.
Only weighing seven pounds, this goal set allows you to play soccer or football pretty much anywhere. Using a patented design, this high-quality goal is perfect for playing small scrimmages and improving shooting accuracy. It includes pegs that anchor the goal for stability during play.
The Pugg Goal Boxed Set features two goals that are both very durable. Each of these goals works well on turf fields, sand, or grass.
Pros:
- This net is easy to open up as well as fold back up for storage
- It comes with plastic pegs attached so that you can secure it to the ground
- It comes with replacement pegs in case you break one
Cons:
- The plastic stakes break easily
- It is not a six-foot goal
The Verdict
The winner of the Best Portable Soccer Goal for Pickup Games is the GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal. This soccer goal is just so easy. It is easy to set up. It is easy to carry anywhere. It is easy to use anywhere. There are three sizes to choose from, so you can find the size that works best for what you want to use it for.
The GOLME PRO is also a strong goal that is made with a durable frame and comes with a reflective net. Plus, the stakes are easy to put in the ground and typically aren’t flimsy or break easily. The definite winner of the Best Portable Soccer Goal for Pickup Games is the GOLME PRO Pop Up Soccer Goal hands down.
