No matter how old you are, there’s no better time than now to get involved in soccer. It’s an accessible sport loved by billions of people around the world.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money to get started, either. So, in this article, we explain how to get into soccer as an adult and provide you with some top tips for getting started in the beautiful game.
So, how to get into soccer?
You can get into soccer by watching professional leagues on TV, supporting a local team, learning the rules, and even signing up for a local team yourself. In other words, there are lots of things you can do to get involved in soccer as an adult. In the following sections, we introduce some top tips that will help you get more involved in the beautiful game.
Tips for getting into soccer as an adult
Tune into the MLS
The profile of soccer is growing every year in the United States, as more and more franchises have launched in recent years. The MLS has come a long way in a few decades, and there are a lot of talented players plying their trade in the league.
Excitingly, Apple recently announced a bumper ten-year deal to broadcast the MLS, which will make it more accessible to soccer fans around the world.
From 2023, you can watch every MLS game live from your Apple TV account, and teams will also follow regular scheduling, making it easier to tune into MLS matches than it has been before.
So, if you’re trying to get into soccer as an adult, a great place to start is to tune into the MLS if you haven’t done so already. If you’re a fan of the NBA, NFL, or NHL, there’s a good chance that you will enjoy the format of the MLS, too.
Pick a soccer team to support
No matter the sport you’re trying to get into, it’s easier to get involved if you have a team to follow. Most people start supporting sports teams when they’re kids, but there’s absolutely no reason not to start following a team as an adult.
Our advice is to select an MLS franchise that is close to your home, as it makes it much easier to actively get involved with your team. You can attend the stadium for matches, get to know other fans, and develop a passion for the team.
There are MLS franchises throughout the US, with multiple teams in certain states. In other words, you can easily find a team to support without looking too far away from home.
Top tip: Unsure of how to pick a soccer team to support? This super helpful guide explains how to pick a soccer team to follow and what you need to think about before selecting a team.
Join a soccer league in your area
Are you interested in playing soccer as well as watching it? If so, why not join a local league in your area? There are so many ways to find a local soccer team, including:
- Look for soccer leagues on MeetUp.
- Search for Facebook groups of soccer teams in your area.
- Reach out and contact a soccer association directly.
- Speak to friends, family, and work colleagues.
- Get in touch with a local soccer team.
Even if you’ve never kicked a soccer ball in your life, everyone has to start somewhere! You will be able to find beginner leagues in your area, which present you with a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy soccer at the same time.
Learn the rules of soccer
As is the case with all sports, there are a fair amount of soccer rules that you need to come to terms with. While you don’t need to know them all, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of how soccer is governed.
This is true with everything, and the more you understand soccer, the more you will be able to enjoy it.
Something that we love about soccer is that it’s actually really simple to come to terms with, so you don’t need to do a great deal of research! But as mentioned, consider using a resource to help you understand the basic rules of soccer, as this will help you get into the game.
Top tip: At Soccer Knowledge Hub, some of our writers are qualified soccer referees who are committed to explaining the rules of the game in more detail. You can learn about different soccer rules in our rule hub. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments!
Get involved in fantasy soccer
There’s a lot to love about fantasy sports, and some people take fantasy leagues more seriously than actual, real-life leagues!
Soccer is no exception to this rule, and joining a fantasy soccer league is a great way to learn more about the game and familiarize yourself with players from a certain league.
One of the most popular fantasy soccer leagues in the world is run by the English Premier League and gives you the opportunity to build your own team and make transfers throughout the season.
If you’re hoping to learn more about the best soccer teams and players in the world, we’d recommend setting up a fantasy soccer league when the new EPL season begins.
Play soccer video games
Another great way to bolster your knowledge and understanding of soccer is to play soccer video games. The FIFA soccer series is super popular and is available on XBOX and PlayStation.
You can also enjoy Pro Evolution Soccer, which has also been super popular with soccer fans since the mid-nineties.
You don’t need us to tell you how great the graphics are on the latest video game consoles, and playing soccer video games is a great way to learn more about the beautiful game.
Take your kids to soccer practice
If you’re keen to get your family more involved in soccer, you can take your kids to soccer practice for the first time.
Soccer is an awesome game for kids, as it’s safe, enjoyable and teaches them many important lessons about teamwork.
As a soccer mum or dad, you can get involved from the bleachers and cheer your kids on throughout the season.
You will find that as your kids become more involved in the sport, you too will develop a passion and interest for it while wanting your kids to win all of their matches. A win-win!
Recap: How to get into soccer as an adult
Soccer is super accessible, as you don’t need a great deal of specialist equipment to get started. So, whether you’re keen to watch or play more soccer, we hope you’ve found this article helpful.
No matter how old you are, it’s never too late to get into the beautiful game, and we hope you get as much out of soccer as we do.