Belfast City Council unveils 10-year sports pitches strategy with proposed £1m facilities fund
The Belfast Desk | 14 October 2026 | Latest News / Sport
Belfast City Council has launched a public consultation on a new 10-year strategy for sports pitches and outdoor facilities, including proposals for additional football and GAA pitches and a £1 million fund to improve facilities across the city.
The draft Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026–2036 sets out plans to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of Belfast’s outdoor sports infrastructure.
Residents, sports clubs, governing bodies, schools and community organisations are being encouraged to have their say before the consultation closes on Tuesday 8 December 2026.
The Belfast sports pitches strategy aims to address increasing demand for facilities while ensuring existing and future provision meets the needs of communities throughout the city.
Belfast sports pitches strategy prioritises football and GAA
The council says the first phase of the proposed strategy, covering years one to four, will focus on addressing gaps in provision for football and Gaelic games.
Both sports have experienced growing demand for pitch bookings in recent years, increasing pressure on available facilities.
Among the proposals is the identification of locations for new 3G football pitches and GAA pitches to help meet demand from clubs and community groups.
The strategy will also seek to support other outdoor sports, with an emphasis on making facilities more accessible and ensuring they remain suitable for long-term use.
The council says the approach is intended to benefit players, clubs and local communities while responding to Belfast’s growing and increasingly diverse population.
£1 million fund proposed to improve sports facilities
A key element of the draft strategy is the proposed establishment of a £1 million Partner Facility Enhancement Fund.
The fund would form part of wider efforts to improve outdoor sporting infrastructure and support the development of facilities across Belfast.
Other priorities include expanding community access to facilities operated by partner organisations, improving existing pitch infrastructure and developing multi-sport hubs.
The council is also proposing a new online booking system intended to make accessing and managing sports facilities more efficient.
Together, the measures are designed to create a more accessible and sustainable network of outdoor sporting facilities.
The consultation will help determine how these proposals should be implemented and how future investment should be prioritised.
Council wants facilities to meet Belfast’s changing needs
Councillor Jenna Maghie, Chair of Belfast City Council’s People and Communities Committee, said the city needed to ensure its sporting facilities developed alongside its population.
She said: “As Belfast continues to grow, so too must the spaces that enable people to play, compete, connect, and thrive.
“This draft strategy represents a renewed commitment to creating a city where outdoor sport is woven into everyday life, with a network of high-quality facilities which will benefit our residents, clubs and sporting organisations.”
Councillor Maghie said improving sporting infrastructure could also contribute to wider community benefits.
“By working in partnership and investing strategically, we can support healthier individuals, stronger communities and contribute to a more vibrant, resilient Belfast,” she said.
She added that the draft strategy would seek to improve pitch quality, increase accessibility and provide sustainable facilities supported by more efficient booking arrangements.
Residents and sports clubs invited to have their say
Belfast City Council is encouraging people who use outdoor sporting facilities, as well as those who may wish to use them in the future, to participate in the consultation.
The council is seeking views on the draft proposals, how they should be delivered and where future investment should be directed.
Councillor Maghie said: “We now want to hear from residents, clubs, schools, governing bodies and community organisations to ensure the final strategy reflects the needs and aspirations of those who use these facilities now, and those who will use them in the future.”
The consultation will run for eight weeks, closing on Tuesday 8 December 2026.
The draft strategy can be viewed on Belfast City Council’s website, while responses can be submitted through the council’s Your Say Belfast consultation platform.
The proposals remain at consultation stage, meaning the final strategy and investment priorities may change following consideration of public feedback.
External links:
Belfast City Council — sports pitches strategy
Your Say Belfast — consultation and survey
Council FAQs — proposals, funding and accessibility
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