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Date: 14 October 2026
Category: News
Belfast City Council is inviting residents, sports clubs, governing bodies and community organisations to have their say on the future of outdoor sports provision across the city, with the opening of a public consultation on its draft Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026-2036.
The public consultation on the draft strategy will run for eight weeks, until Tuesday 8 December 2026.
The draft strategy is available to read online – www.belfastcity.gov.uk/pitches – alongside an online survey, where residents can have their say on the proposals, how they should be implemented and how future investment should be prioritised.
The draft strategy sets out a clear roadmap for ensuring both new and older facilities are fit for purpose, accessible, sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse population, in order to deliver the greatest benefit for clubs, players and local communities.
The first phase, covering Years 1 to 4, will address key gaps in provision for Gaelic games and soccer, where the council has seen growing demand for bookings in recent years, while supporting all outdoor sports.
Priorities in the draft strategy include identifying locations for new 3G soccer and GAA pitches, expanding community access to partner facilities, establishing a £1 million Partner Facility Enhancement Fund, improving pitch infrastructure, developing multi-sport hubs and introducing a new online booking system.
Chair of Belfast City Council's People and Communities Committee, Councillor Jenna Maghie, said: “As Belfast continues to grow, so too must the spaces that enable people to play, compete, connect, and thrive.
“This draft strategy represents a renewed commitment to creating a city where outdoor sport is woven into everyday life, with a network of high-quality facilities which will benefit our residents, clubs and sporting organisations.
“By working in partnership and investing strategically, we can support healthier individuals, stronger communities and contribute to a more vibrant, resilient Belfast. The draft strategy sets out the steps to help do this – by improving pitch quality, increasing accessibility and creating sustainable environments that are well managed and maintained, with more efficient and customer-focused booking systems.
“We now want to hear from residents, clubs, schools, governing bodies and community organisations to ensure the final strategy reflects the needs and aspirations of those who use these facilities now, and those who will use them in the future."
The public consultation is now open and will run until Tuesday 8 December.
You can view the draft Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sport Facilities Strategy 2026-2036 on the council website at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/pitches and access the public consultation and survey on council’s Your Say platform at https://yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk