“Game-changing” £400m investment in grassroots sport

Grassroots sport across the UK is set to benefit from more than £400m in funding, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Designed to deliver facilities that will “inspire people of all ages to get active”, the £400m will be invested in new and upgraded facilities in communities across the country.

The funding commitment, which was outlined in the Spending Review last week, has now been set out by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

It is part of a larger, £900m investment in sport, which will also see more than £500 million committed to supporting the delivery of a host of world class sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years.

These will include Tour de France Grand Départs in 2027, the men’s UEFA EURO 2028 tournament and the European Athletics Championships 2026 in Birmingham.

These events are expected to deliver significant economic benefits, with EURO 2028 alone projected to generate up to £2.4 billion in socio-economic value across the UK.

According to Nandy, the strategic investment in facilities and major events has been designed to “reduce barriers to opportunity, bring communities together through shared national moments and showcase the best of the UK to the world”.

“Sport tells our national story in a way few other things can – uniting communities, inspiring millions, and showcasing our nation on the global stage,” Nandy said.