Government to Support Grassroots Sports Facilities across the UK with £100 Million Investment

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy recently announced that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will invest £100 million in grassroots sports facilities across the UK in 2025/26.

In collaboration with the Premier League, The FA, and the Government's Football Foundation in England, as well as the Cymru Football Foundation in Wales and the Football Associations of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the funding aims to enhance local access to sports and physical activity by supporting the development of hundreds of new and upgraded pitches, changing rooms, goalposts, and floodlights.

£82.3 million has been allocated to England (including a £2 million uplift of new investment committed in the current financial year), £8.6 million in Scotland, £6.1 million in Wales and £3 million in Northern Ireland. 

There is a particular focus on deprived areas and supporting greater access and participation levels among under-represented people, including women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled players. A minimum of 40% of the funding will go to projects focused on multi-sports facilities.

The investment supports the Government's Plan for Change. It is targeted at breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling persistent health inequalities through prevention to create an NHS fit for the future and encourage community cohesion.

Clubs and organisations can apply for a share of the funding through DCMS Delivery Partners in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland:

• England: Applications for facilities funding can be made through the Football Foundation on an ongoing basis.
• Wales: The Cymru Football Foundation is currently accepting Expressions of Interest for its Fit-for-Future Facilities Fund on an ongoing basis.
• Scotland: The Scottish Football Association's Football Facilities Fund is currently accepting Expressions of Interest. The deadline for full applications is 21 April 2025.
• Northern Ireland: The Irish Football Association will manage the application process. Further information on the funding programme and the application window will be provided when it is made available.

£100 million to revamp local sports facilities across UK - GOV.UK