The Northern Ireland Football Fund
The Northern Ireland Football Fund, formally known as the Sub-Regional Stadia Programme, is an Executive commitment to invest in our local footballing infrastructure.
Minister announces approval
In May 2024, the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, announced that he had approved the strategic approach for TNIFF and the way forward. Minister Lyons stated the program that he has approved Is designed to change the face of local football facilities bringing modern future-proofed fit for purpose facilities to every neighbourhood in Northern Ireland. This is a long-term strategic program, which aims to deliver transformational change.
Investment strands
Within the Northern Ireland Football Fund there are three planned strands of investment:
Performance Club Programme: providing funding to performance clubs which are defined as all current members of the Northern Ireland Football League or the League of Ireland who play their home matches at a venue which is located in Northern Ireland. Funding will be disbursed following a competitive application scheme which is expected to call for initial applications in early 2025.
Grassroots Facilities Programme: providing funding to improve access to facilities for those participating in football clubs within the amateur leagues.
National Training Centre for Football: supporting the Irish FA to develop a facility to deliver elite training.
Desired outcomes
The Northern Ireland Football Fund (TNIFF) aims to deliver outcomes for:
Health: Drive participation in physical activity through football which contributes to positive health and mental health outcomes.
Society: Elevate pride in Northern Ireland and capture the public imagination.
Inclusion: Develop new and refurbished football facilities which will contribute to positive outcomes for inclusion of underrepresented groups.
Economy: Enable football clubs to become sustainable in the future and contribute to a thriving and balanced economy.
Best Practice: Drive high standards including for climate action and effective delivery of capital programmes and sporting infrastructure
Development of The Northern Ireland Football Fund
Work is ongoing to develop the policy and process for the three stands of the fund.
Further information will be added to the DfC webpage as it becomes available.
Contact us
You can contact the TNIFF Team through email: