sport
Infrastructure and Funding
Government announces 2026 Community Sport Facilities Fund details
Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue have unveiled the timeline for the 2026 Community Sport Facilities Fund. This initiative introduces higher grant limits and a new funding tier to bolster local and regional sports infrastructure across Ireland.
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⏱️ 1 min read
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has officially launched the 2026 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund, introducing a revamped application process and increased financial support. A new grant management platform, SPRAOI, is now live, facilitating the registration process for thousands of clubs nationwide. The window for submitting formal applications will open on 19 October 2026 and remain active until 26 February 2027.
This year’s programme brings significant changes to the funding structure, including a new tier that offers up to €750,000 for larger, shared facilities designed to encourage collaboration between local authorities and governing bodies. Furthermore, the maximum grant for standard local projects has been raised to €250,000. To simplify requirements for school-club partnerships, the mandatory formal lease has been replaced with a 10-year licence agreement, provided the arrangement guarantees at least 20 hours of weekly club access.
Interested organisations are encouraged to review the comprehensive Information Guide available on the official government website. All applicants must ensure they are registered on the SPRAOI system before the application window commences. The fund remains the primary mechanism for supporting essential infrastructure, ranging from pitch drainage and floodlighting to the refurbishment of dressing rooms and the procurement of non-personal sports equipment.
This year’s programme brings significant changes to the funding structure, including a new tier that offers up to €750,000 for larger, shared facilities designed to encourage collaboration between local authorities and governing bodies. Furthermore, the maximum grant for standard local projects has been raised to €250,000. To simplify requirements for school-club partnerships, the mandatory formal lease has been replaced with a 10-year licence agreement, provided the arrangement guarantees at least 20 hours of weekly club access.
Interested organisations are encouraged to review the comprehensive Information Guide available on the official government website. All applicants must ensure they are registered on the SPRAOI system before the application window commences. The fund remains the primary mechanism for supporting essential infrastructure, ranging from pitch drainage and floodlighting to the refurbishment of dressing rooms and the procurement of non-personal sports equipment.
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