£2m sports funding opens to Northern Ireland clubs and community groups

September 24, 2026 The Belfast Desk 1 Comment

A new £2 million sports funding programme has opened for applications from eligible clubs and community groups across Northern Ireland.

Sports funding announcement at Larne Rugby Football Club with Gordon Lyons and Sport NI representatives — Communities Minister Gordon Lyons at Larne RFC with Sophia Dorman, club president Derek Lough, Sport NI interim chief executive Richard Archibald and Ollie Swann. Photo: Department for Communities.

The 2026/27 Olympic Legacy Fund will support improvements to sports facilities and equipment. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced the investment during a visit to Larne Rugby Football Club. The programme is delivered by Sport NI with Crowdfunder UK.

How the sports funding works

The funding will be released in two £1 million rounds, with the second due to open in November. Clubs and groups can propose crowdfunding campaigns valued between £5,000 and £50,000. Under the published pledge criteria, Sport NI contributes 65% and the group must raise the remaining 35% from supporters.

Projects above £50,000 may also be considered if applicants can show additional partnership funding. Sport NI says it will use location and active membership information to prioritise applications, with attention to groups under-represented in sport. Applicants should read the full eligibility and pledge criteria before applying.

First application deadline is 14 October

The first application window closes on 14 October 2026. Sport NI and Crowdfunder UK will hold an online information session at noon on Tuesday 29 September to explain the process and answer questions.

Eligible applicants include Northern Ireland sports clubs, community groups and charities whose primary activity delivers or enables recognised sport or physical activity and benefits people living here. Applications and webinar registration are available through Sport NI’s Olympic Legacy Fund page.

The Department for Communities said the previous fund had facilitated more than £2.1 million of investment in 81 grassroots clubs, with local crowdfunding adding more than £1 million. It cited improvements including equipment, playing surfaces, floodlights and clubhouse facilities.