Applications are now open for the latest tranche of funding available through the Irish Football Association/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund.
Last month it was announced that more than £2.7million has been earmarked by the UK Government to further boost grassroots football facilities in Northern Ireland in 2026-27.
And that £2.775m funding is now being made available to clubs here through the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund.
It is part of an £85m investment in grassroots sports facilities across the UK in the next financial year which forms part of a £400 million Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme launched by the Government in June 2025.
The Irish FA/DCMS Fund aims to enable grassroots football clubs, local authorities, schools and football-focused sports community/charitable organisations in Northern Ireland to improve and refurbish facilities so that grassroots football clubs and communities have a high quality pitch to play on, thereby helping to create a better grassroots football infrastructure foundation.
Applications for funding are now open with a closing date of Wednesday 18 March 2026 (12 noon) for submissions.
The 2026-27 funding guidance notes, a link to access the application process and associated documents can be accessed via the dedicated funding page: https://www.irishfa.com/irish-football-association/irish-fa-dcms-grassroots-facilities-investment-fund
The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund previously allocated £3m of funding in Northern Ireland for the 2025-26 financial year, funding eight artificial grass pitch projects, and £3.66m in the 2024-25 financial year, funding 17 artificial grass pitch projects.
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “There’s a shortage of football pitches and facilities in Northern Ireland and we look forward to working with the UK Government to tackle that shortage.
“Through this latest £2.775 million DCMS investment we will strive, along with our partners, to create and improve facilities from the grassroots level upwards, increasing participation and ensuring football is for all.”
The minimum award available will be £100,000, with a maximum award of up to £500,000. See full guidance notes for details on match funding requirements.
Funding will be directed towards large capital projects primarily focusing on the installation of quality natural grass pitches, certified artificial grass pitches (AGPs) or Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs).
All projects must have a pitch proposal at its core, however associated infrastructure will be considered as part of the overall proposal.
