The Irish Football Association has formally submitted a full planning application to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the development of its National Football Centre - a landmark project which will inspire the next generation of footballers and provide a platform for excellence at every level of the game.
Located on a 50-acre site outside Cullybackey, the new facility expects to feature world-class pitches and cutting-edge training facilities, fully realising the ambition to create a project that will become the beating heart of Northern Ireland’s football community, supporting both elite and grassroots players, as well as some of the charitable and community activities of the Irish FA Foundation.
The submission of the planning application follows on from the launch of the project last year which itself was a precursor to the submission of the Proposal of Application Notice to the Council and the subsequent undertaking of pre application community consultation.
As well as serving the elite game, there is an inclusion of a community pitch as part of the development which will help address the growing demand for pitch capacity in the wider area. The project is garnering considerable local support, with football clubs to primary and post‑primary schools warmly welcoming the plans and recognising the opportunities that first‑class sports infrastructure provides.
Irish FA Technical Director, Aaron Hughes, said:
“We remain one of a small number of UEFA nations without its own national football centre.
"This facility will give us somewhere we can call home, which allows us to raise standards, build our culture, and showcase our identity. It will give young boys and girls the opportunity to literally follow in the footsteps of their heroes, as they aspire to one day wear the green shirt.
"And, crucially, it will give our national teams’, senior to underage, men’s, women’s, boys, and girls, an elite facility to train, prepare and compete on the European and world stage.”
Irish FA Chief Operating Officer, Graham Fitzgerald, said:
“After our announcement last year, we have spent a significant part of 2025 engaging with stakeholders during the pre-application community consultation sessions to advance the planning process and make necessary revisions. We have engaged, listened to subsequent feedback all of which has led us to this milestone moment which will allow us to build, train and compete with confidence.”
Galgorm Collection CEO, Colin Johnston, said:
“This significant step forward, marked by the submission of the planning application, reflects the strength of partnership between two major global brands united by a shared commitment to excellence.
"As a local employer, we see first-hand the positive impact that sport can have in terms of fostering teamwork, resilience and confidence among young people. That’s why a huge part of our ethos is to invest in sporting talent and consequently, strengthen the communities in which we operate.
"We’re proud to help shape the long-term future of football in Northern Ireland by playing a key role in creating a facility that will drive performance for our national teams while supporting sustainable growth at every level of the game.”
