Grassroots football report reveals state of the game
The McDonald’s Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards are back for 2026, celebrating the incredible individuals powering grassroots football across Northern Ireland.
In light of the awards, the 2026 Grassroots Football Report, created by sports equipment manufacturer FORZA, reveals the true extent of grassroots football across the UK, including how funding and abuse are affecting the modern game.
The 2026 Grassroots Report revealed the following:
- Worryingly, almost every club (99%) has seen costs rise in the past year, with three-quarters describing the increase as significant.
- When looking at how clubs across the UK are funded, player subs (88%), sponsorships (71%), and fundraisers (52%) are the most commonly used tactics.
- Nearly 3 in 5 clubs (58%) have weekly running costs of £250 or more, and for nearly 1 in 5 clubs (18%), their weekly costs exceed £1,000.
- Over eight in ten clubs (83%) have seen pitch hire costs increase, while 81% of clubs have seen equipment and kit costs rise. The strain is made worse by how thinly this equipment is stretched, with 72% of clubs sharing equipment across multiple teams and age groups
- Two-thirds of clubs (68%) now have a women’s or girls team or are actively setting one up. Among those with an existing team, participation has grown, with 82% reporting growth in the past 12 months.
- 9 in 10 clubs (90%) say they have witnessed abuse directed at a match official in the past 12 months, and a further 62% believe the problem has worsened over time. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents think parents and spectators are responsible for abuse of officials.
Robbie Hayter, Director at FORZA, has commented on the findings: “For the past three years, we have launched the Grassroots Football Report to uncover whether amateur football is thriving or if more support is needed to help save the future of grassroots football across the UK.”
“The 2026 report revealed some alarming findings, but what stands out is the extraordinary goodwill of volunteers who work tirelessly to keep grassroots clubs operating.
“What’s clear from the report is that funding is a barrier many clubs face, with over half (57%) revealing they do not have sufficient funding to support activities. Similarly, over half (54%) of clubs don’t have enough football training equipment to operate, which shows the strain many clubs are under and that support is needed.”
“Following the release of FORZA’s report, grassroots football has been handed a huge funding boost, as it has been revealed that Chelsea FC’s £10m fine for a breach of agent regulations will go directly to grassroots football.
“The news will provide a sense of relief and optimism for many clubs and could provide security for years to come.”
“The 2026 report revealed that almost two-thirds (64%) of clubs are optimistic about the future of grassroots football, and with news of a huge investment pending, this will hopefully give amateur football a new lease of life and help many young players fulfil their dreams of becoming professional footballers.”
See report findings here.
