FAW says £150m needed for grassroots football facilities in Wales

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced that it will cost £150 million to upgrade and deliver the football facilities needed across the country by the end of the decade. The figure comes as participation in Welsh football reaches record highs, with 120,000 registered players.

A new consultation, led by the FAW's charitable arm the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF), highlights a significant shortfall in pitches, artificial surfaces, and changing rooms. Over the past four years, the CFF has spent £27 million on facility development, but officials say five times that amount is now required to meet demand.

Surge in participation

Participation in football across Wales has increased 21% overall, with a 47% jump in women and girls playing the sport, and a one-third rise in young players. The FAW attributes part of the growth in the women's game to Wales' qualification for Euro 2025.

• Only 43% of grass pitches are rated as adequate, with the rest marked poor or unclassified.
• 18 of 22 local authority areas lack sufficient artificial turf pitches.
• Changing room facilities are also reported as underserved relative to demand.
• New Local Football Facility Plans have been drawn up for all 22 local authority areas.
• The FAW hopes for greater financial support from the new Welsh Government.

Call for government support

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said the change of government in Wales presents an "opportunity to reset how sport is funded in Wales." He has previously called for increased support from Cardiff Bay. The Welsh Government has stated it will commission its own audit of regional sporting facilities, noting that football facilities are "an important consideration."

The FAW and CFF continue to work with local clubs, local authorities, and other sporting bodies to identify priority sites. With participation expected to grow further, the governing body stresses that urgent investment is needed to ensure safe, high-quality environments for grassroots players.