£50m for the UK’s Grassroot Football Pitches in 2022

Funding is to be made available to enable the delivery of more football pitches and facilities in UK communities.

The Prime Minister has announced an additional £50 million investment in football pitches to help support the wave of interest in the sport inspired by EURO 2020 and Women’s EURO 2022.

The funding, which will be made available next year and prioritised for left-behind communities, will enable more people to access high-quality football pitches that can be used for football and other sports across the UK.

Combined with contributions from the Football Association and Premier League as well as other local partners, the funding will build 185 new 3G artificial pitches, improve 5,000 existing grass pitches and create 9 ‘hub’ sites with multiple pitches.

Commenting on the announcement, Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“On the back of the inspirational success of the Three Lions and as anticipation builds for the women’s Euros next year, we want to seize the moment and build the pitches for a golden decade of football.”

FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said:

“Grassroots football facilities play a vital role in the heart of our communities and investment in them has never been more important. This £50m from the Government, as part of their £550m election commitment, will help to change and improve lives. This funding will also play an important part in helping to get people active again and improving the mental and physical health of the nation as lockdown restrictions are lifted.”

Further details of the funding rollout will be made available in 2022.