Irish FA submits plans for major new national football centre near Ballymena

Aerial visual of proposed IFA national football centre outside Ballymena

A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the development of a proposed national football centre outside Ballymena.

The proposal includes six football pitches — five outdoor and one indoor — with three hybrid surfaces and three artificial surfaces. One pitch is earmarked as a community pitch, while three pitches would be floodlit.

The plans also include three spectator stands; a two-storey multi-purpose building incorporating training, changing, medical, catering, administration and media facilities; a separate community pitch building; photovoltaic (PV) panels; internal access roads; lighting; fencing; and car parking facilities at a 22-hectare site at 125 Fenaghy Road, Cullybackey.

Location plan for proposed IFA national football centre outside Ballymena

Proposed pitches at IFA national football centre outside Ballymena

The development is expected to provide 505 parking spaces across four car parks. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of the Irish Football Association.

A design and access statement submitted with the application says the site would be located on agricultural land in the countryside beside Galgorm Resort, between Fenaghy Road, Cullybackey, and the Belfast to Londonderry railway line.

“The scale and setting of the site can support a carefully designed, high-quality sports development that meets elite performance requirements while respecting the local environment,” the statement said.

The document continued:

“The proposed masterplan outlines the design proposal for a landmark facility that will support the strategic growth and professionalisation of football across Northern Ireland.

“The centre is conceived as a unified base for the men’s and women’s national teams, academy programmes and football education initiatives.

“Adopting a ‘centre-for-all’ approach, the design promotes inclusivity and performance, delivering elite-level facilities for male and female players across senior and youth levels.

“The site will incorporate UEFA category one and two pitches, professional indoor and outdoor training facilities, and supporting infrastructure, meeting European standards for training and match preparation.

“These facilities are intended to serve both daily operations and long-term player development across all age groups and pathways.”

The report noted:

“The National Football Centre represents a long-term investment by the Irish FA in the future of the sport — supporting excellence in performance, education and development, while reinforcing Northern Ireland’s commitment to advancing the game at every level.”

The Irish Football Association is the governing body for football in Northern Ireland and develops and promotes the game at all levels. The report indicated the organisation is seeking to establish a “dual campus set-up” alongside its National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.

“The ambition is that the National Football Centre will be a bespoke, world-class facility with a distinct Northern Ireland identity,” the report explained.

“It will serve players of all ages — both male and female — across senior and youth levels, while also benefiting the local community and grassroots football.”

The statement said the proposed pitch types had been “carefully considered based on both their intended use and the characteristics of the site”.

It added that the community pitch is not required to meet competition-level UEFA regulations, with the primary considerations being “integrating within the local environment and maximising its utility for community access and recreation”.

The community training building is designed as a “welcoming and accessible hub that supports both local sporting development and broader community engagement”.

Meanwhile, the proposed indoor pitch is described as a “purpose-built facility located in a private area adjoining the main training pitches”, intended to provide “a controlled and secure environment for professional player development”.

The proposed training building would “serve as a centre for all national squads — men’s, women’s and youth — and aims to foster talent development, enhance team performance and support community engagement”.

It is expected to complement the existing national football stadium at Windsor Park.

Planned facilities within the building include a media lounge and conference room, offices, meeting rooms, an analysis room, lounge, dining room and kitchen facilities, changing rooms with showers and WCs for players, coaches and referees, as well as recovery and rehabilitation areas including physiotherapy suites, treatment rooms, gym and fitness suites, consultant and trauma rooms, and ancillary spaces such as kit storage rooms.

The report said the proposed spectator stands would “serve the UEFA category pitches and support match-day operations”.

“By providing covered seating, restroom amenities, food and beverage stands, and accessible infrastructure, the development enhances the overall match-day experience for players, officials and the local community, while aligning with UEFA standards for professional football venues,” the report continued.

“Furthermore, careful consideration has been given to the potential interface between spectators within the East Stand and players accessing the pitch at half-time.

“A dedicated guard and control point will monitor and manage all player movements to and from the field of play, ensuring that access remains strictly controlled. Stewarding and physical access control measures are strategically designed to prevent any interaction between players and spectators, maintaining clear segregation at all times.”