Football Foundation Grass Pitch Drainage

Overview

This Football Foundation grant helps you improve drainage on grass football pitches. It pays for capital works recommended in your PitchPower Assessment Report, where other options such as better maintenance have been exhausted. Fees for a qualified sports pitch consultant, or for a feasibility check on smaller projects, can be included in your request. It suits not-for-profit football clubs and voluntary groups, local authorities, County FAs, charities, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations, as long as grassroots football is an integral part of what you do. Clubs in the Premier League, Football League, National League System (Step 1 to 6) and similar top tiers cannot apply. The page does not give a closing date. You apply online. Before you do, you need a PitchPower inspection for every pitch that will be improved. You will also need two like-for-like quotations, evidence of partnership funding, photographs of the pitches and written landlord consent unless you own the facility. Piped drainage systems need a feasibility study and specification from a qualified agronomist or sports pitch consultant. If water will discharge into a ditch or watercourse, permission from the Environment Agency or your local authority may be needed, and it must be in place before you apply. The grant will not cover routine maintenance such as grass cutting or line marking. It will not pay for items already bought or projects already started. One practical point is secure tenure. For grants up to £25,000 you need freehold or uninterruptable leasehold for 5 years from the date of the grant offer. For £25,001 up to £100,000 it is 10 years. After the works, you are expected to keep pitches to the GMA 'Good' standard and submit pitch data through PitchPower each year. Assessment typically takes around two weeks. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/grass-pitch-drainage. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.