Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, is encouraging sports clubs and organisations to prepare their applications for the 2026 Community Sport Facilities Fund.

The application window will open on Monday, 19 October 2026 and run until Friday, 26 February 2027, with increased maximum grants available for local and regional projects and a new funding tier of up to €750,000 for larger multi-sport projects.

A new grant management system, SPRAOI, went live on 28 September and clubs and organisations not previously registered with the Department can now register. Approximately 8,000 clubs and organisations registered on the previous grant system have been transferred to SPRAOI.

Minister Canney said: “The Community Sport Facilities Fund provides important support to clubs and organisations to develop and improve sporting facilities and purchase equipment.

“I would encourage eligible clubs and organisations to familiarise themselves with the new round, make sure their details are up to date on the SPRAOI system and use the time available to prepare their applications.”

Under the 2026 round:

  • Local projects can apply for up to €250,000, increased from €200,000. This is the primary category under which most local clubs and organisations will apply.
  • Regional Tier 1 projects can apply for up to €550,000, increased from €500,000.
  • A new Regional Tier 2 will provide funding of up to €750,000, at a maximum grant rate of 70%, for larger multi-sport projects. Applications under this tier can only be made by National Governing Bodies or Local Authorities.
  • The minimum lease term has been reduced from 15 to 10 years, while the mandatory requirement to have a registered lease has been removed.
  • For school applications in collaboration with sports clubs, the requirement for a formal lease will be replaced by a minimum 10-year licence-sharing agreement.
  • Administrative changes have also been introduced to enable more organisations to qualify for the Fund.

The Community Sport Facilities Fund is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.

Grants are available to voluntary, not-for-profit sports clubs, community groups, National Governing Bodies of sport and local authorities. Third-level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools may apply only jointly with sports clubs or organisations.

Applications can be made online from 9am on 19 October 2026 until 5pm on 26 February 2027.

Further information and the Information Guide are available at gov.ie/SportsCapital.