World Record Field Goal: The Longest Kick In Football History
Record-breaking field goals: how far can a kick go?
The world record for a field goal in American football is 68 yards, set by Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL game on November 2, 2025; his kick broke Justin Tucker's previous NFL record of 66 yards from 2021. If you mean the longest kick ever made in an organized football game of any kind, the answer often cited is Little's 70-yard preseason kick in 2025, though preseason records are usually separated from official regular-season marks.
What "world record" means
That phrase can mean different things depending on context, because football records are tracked differently across leagues, game types, and eras. In the NFL, official records usually count regular-season games only, while preseason kicks and historical drop kicks may be discussed separately. The safest answer for a general reader is that the current NFL record is 68 yards, while a 70-yard preseason kick stands as the longest recorded in an organized game.
Why long field goals matter
Long field goals are a mix of leg strength, timing, snap-hold operation, kicking surface, weather, and altitude. A kicker can have elite power and still miss if the hold is off by a fraction of a second or the ball is struck slightly differently. That is why record kicks are rare and why the same distance can feel impossible in one stadium and manageable in another.
"A great long field goal is not just power; it is precision under pressure."
Current record holders
The modern record list is short because kicks beyond 60 yards remain difficult even for the best professionals. Justin Tucker's 66-yarder in 2021 stood as the NFL benchmark until Cam Little pushed it to 68 yards in 2025. Brandon Aubrey also entered the record conversation with a 65-yard make in 2024 and a 64-yard overtime kick in 2025, showing how quickly the ceiling is rising.
| Distance | Kicker | Team | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 yards | Cam Little | Jacksonville Jaguars | November 2, 2025 | Current NFL record |
| 66 yards | Justin Tucker | Baltimore Ravens | September 26, 2021 | Previous NFL record |
| 65 yards | Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys | September 22, 2024 | Among the longest official makes |
| 70 yards | Cam Little | Jacksonville Jaguars | August 9, 2025 | Preseason record in organized play |
How the distance is measured
Field goal distance is not the same as the spot of the kick alone, because the play starts behind the line of scrimmage and the ball must clear the uprights. In American football, the rule of thumb is that the field goal distance equals the line of scrimmage plus 17 yards, which includes the 10-yard end zone and about 7 yards for the holder's position. That means a kick from the opponent's 50-yard line is recorded as a 67-yard attempt.
Longest makes by era
Record field goals have usually advanced in small jumps rather than giant leaps, because kicking technique and game conditions evolved gradually. Tom Dempsey's 63-yarder in 1970 was a landmark because it was the first over 60 yards, and for years it symbolized the outer edge of possibility. Later, high-altitude venues, better training, and refined kicking mechanics helped make 63-, 64-, 65-, 66-, and eventually 68-yard kicks more realistic.
- Tom Dempsey made the first widely recognized 63-yard field goal in 1970.
- Jason Elam and Sebastian Janikowski later tied the 63-yard mark in the 1990s and 2011.
- Matt Prater's 64-yarder in 2013 showed the record was still moving.
- Justin Tucker reset the standard at 66 yards in 2021.
- Cam Little moved it to 68 yards in 2025 and also hit a 70-yard preseason kick that year.
Conditions that help
Long makes often happen in controlled environments, especially domes or closed-roof stadiums, because wind is minimized and footing is more predictable. Elevation can also matter, since thinner air slightly reduces resistance on the ball. Even so, the kicker still has to generate enough launch angle, speed, and accuracy to keep the ball on line over a very long flight path.
Common questions
Why the record keeps changing
The record keeps changing because the modern kicker is more specialized than ever, with better coaching, biomechanics, video analysis, and offseason training. Teams now view long-distance kicking as a strategic weapon, not just an emergency option at the end of a half. As more kickers grow up training for power and accuracy together, the upper limit may continue to stretch.
Bottom line
The answer to "what is the world record for a field goal in football" depends on whether you mean the official NFL record or the longest recorded kick in organized play. The official regular-season NFL record is 68 yards by Cam Little, while his 70-yard preseason kick is the longest widely reported organized-game make. In practical terms, any field goal beyond 60 yards remains a headline event because it sits at the edge of what the sport currently allows.
Helpful tips and tricks for What Is The World Record For A Field Goal In Football
Is the longest field goal 68 yards?
Yes for the NFL regular season, because Cam Little's 68-yard kick in 2025 is the current official league record. A 70-yard preseason kick by Little is longer, but preseason marks are usually listed separately from official regular-season records.
Was Justin Tucker the previous record holder?
Yes, Justin Tucker held the NFL record at 66 yards from 2021 until Little's 68-yarder in 2025. Tucker's kick was one of the most famous in league history because it came at the end of a game and set a new benchmark for distance kicking.
How far can an NFL kicker realistically make one?
For most teams, the practical range is much shorter than the record books suggest, often somewhere in the low-to-mid 50s depending on the kicker, weather, and game situation. Elite kickers can push into the high 50s and low 60s, but anything beyond that remains exceptional.