DCMS to invest £30m in 30 new 3G football facilities prioritising women and girls

The DCMS and the Football Association will invest £30 million in delivering 30 new football facilities, aimed at supporting more women and girls to play the sport.

Designed to “turbocharge the development opportunities” for women to get involved in football, the funding will fund the creation of 30 new 3G pitches and accompanying facilities.

These sites will be designed to prioritise women’s and girls’ teams across England. They will be delivered by the Government, the Premier League and The FA’s Football Foundation.

To drive up female participation, each of the sites will reserve peak-time slots for women and girls, as well as introduce women-only evenings and have priority booking for women’s and girls’ teams.

The facilities will provide dedicated female changing rooms, shower facilities and accessible toilets.

The Government is providing £25 million of the funding, with The FA contributing the other £5 million.

The announcement follows a number of high-profile successes achieved by the Lionesses, the England women’s football team. After winning the UEFA EURO 2022 tournament, they made it to the final of FIFA World Cup 2023, where they lost to Spain.

The funding was announced by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer at St George’s Park, the home to England’s national football teams.

“The Lionesses’ Euros victory gripped the nation and their success getting through to the World Cup final lifted the national mood,” Frazer said.

“During the World Cup I said that we would do everything possible to support women and girls’ football so we can watch our Lionesses roar on the world stage for generations to come.

“Today, along with The FA, I am launching a £30 million fund to make sure the next generation of girls have equal opportunities to get into sport.

“Building on our unprecedented support for grassroots facilities, this is just the latest move in our commitment to invest in women and girls’ grassroots sport facilities, and ensure the squad’s legacy lives long into the future.”