We have today published a midpoint update of our 2024-28 Grassroots Strategy: A Thriving Grassroots Game.
The report highlights the progress that we have made during the first half of our four-year strategic period, including setting record participation numbers, creating equal access to football for girls in PE in 90% of schools, and delivering over 10,000 quality grass and 390 new 3G pitches across England.
Over the past two seasons, we have continued to drive strong growth in player participation, with a 4% increase taking our number of affiliated players to 1.6 million, and we now have more than 124,500 affiliated teams, representing a 10% increase since the end of the 2023-24 season.
We have also created significant growth in female participation, with an increase of 15% to 255,000 players, and we have provided 20,000 opportunities for women and girls to play football in their communities. In addition, we have delivered substantial growth in Disability Football participation, with an increase of 25% to 26,000 players.
Our FutureFit framework, which aims to further improve the experience for young players across the country – giving them more time on the ball, more time on the pitch and increasing their physical activity levels – has been established and was rolled out across the country from the start of the 2026-27 season.
We continue to build more and improve existing high-quality facilities across the country, and through our partnership with the Football Foundation we have delivered 35 Lionesses Future Fund 3G pitch projects via a £35 million investment. Building on the legacy of back-to-back EURO successes for our England women senior team, these pitches will supercharge women and girls’ football.
We continue to take tough steps to tackle poor behaviour in our grassroots game and have doubled the number of participants who feel we are doing enough to address this over the past two years.
Our most recent Silent Support Weekend, in March 2026, set a record of over one million participants, leading to more positive touchlines for young players. We are also seeing an increase in reports of discrimination, showing increased trust, understanding and awareness of reporting systems and the sanctions issued to offenders.
Our coaching, volunteering and refereeing networks are stronger than ever, with record numbers across the board including over one million volunteers, and we have achieved our highest-ever referee retention rate of 82%.
Governance at all levels of the grassroots game is of the highest standard, with all 50 County FAs compliant with both our Code of Governance and Safeguarding 365 framework, ensuring football is safe and welcoming for all.
James Kendall, FA Director of Football Development, said: “Our 2024-28 grassroots strategy was created for the game, by the game – and it was part of our commitment to help transform the grassroots football landscape by 2028. I’m delighted with the progress that we have made during the first two years of the strategy, and I’m proud that we have already achieved some of our four-year targets.
“The support of the County FA network, our education partners, and the wider football family has been vital to this progress, and will remain so as we enter the final two years of the strategy.
“Grassroots football makes a significant contribution to society, as demonstrated in our Social Return on Investment report. There is a huge opportunity to build on this impact and grow the game so that players, clubs, leagues, volunteers, coaches and communities can all enjoy the wide range of benefits that football brings.
“Together, we will continue to inspire positive change through football and ensure our grassroots game thrives for years to come.”
