The Irish Football Association has unveiled plans for a new National Football Centre as part of a “significant strategic investment” which will create a dual campus set-up with Belfast’s National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
The “multi-million pound” venture announced today (Wednesday) will be located on a 50-acre site opposite the Galgorm Resort near Ballymena, County Antrim. A range of potential opportunities were explored across Northern Ireland, with the Irish FA stating that following a comprehensive review of all the options, Galgorm was chosen as the “most compelling, best-fit opportunity” to develop the facility.
The Centre expects to feature world-class pitches and cutting-edge training facilities, backing the Irish FA’s long-standing strategic priority to create a facility that will nurture elite talent, support youth development and bolster team performance.
It is also designed to serve Northern Ireland’s international squads whilst aiming to support the charitable and community activities of the Irish FA Foundation. Irish FA president, Conrad Kirkwood, said: “Realising this project will significantly benefit our teams and players, creating an impressive football campus and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
“We anticipate the National Football Centre being a bespoke, world-class facility with a distinct Northern Ireland identity, serving players of all ages, both male and female, while also benefiting the local community and grassroots football.”
Colin Johnston, managing director of Galgorm, added: “This exciting announcement marks the partnership of two major global brands which are united by a shared commitment to excellence and to supporting our communities.
“We’re immensely proud to be playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Northern Ireland, supporting the success of our national teams while fostering growth at every level of the game.”
With the design phase under way, the Irish FA is working to secure statutory permissions and initiate procurement and construction. It is anticipated that the centre will open its doors in 2028.
Irish FA chief executive, Patrick Nelson, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Projects like this don’t happen overnight, and this is the result of significant strategic thinking. We have been able to amass capital funding over a long period to make this vision a reality, and we look forward to working with our partners at Galgorm in the coming years.”
The English Football Association this month unveiled major redevelopment plans for St George’s Park in an effort to ensure the venue remains at the forefront of training complexes worldwide.
