The Irish FA has filed a planning application for a new National Football Centre in Galgorm, set to open in 2028.
The Irish FA has officially filed a full planning application with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the construction of its National Football Centre at Galgorm, located just outside Ballymena. The planned facility will occupy a 50-acre site near Cullybackey and is designed to feature top-tier pitches alongside advanced training amenities.
Earlier projections from the governing body had suggested the centre would open its doors in 2028.
In a statement issued on Monday, the IFA expressed its hope that this initiative will motivate young footballers while serving as a hub for excellence across all levels of the sport.
The association emphasized that its goal is to make the training facility the central hub of Northern Ireland’s football network. It aims to support elite players, grassroots participants, and the community initiatives run by the Irish FA Foundation.
The statement noted that the development will benefit not only professional teams, including national squads, but also the broader football community.
A key feature will be a dedicated community pitch, addressing the increasing need for more playing spaces in the region.
The IFA also highlighted that Northern Ireland is one of the few UEFA member nations without its own dedicated national football centre.
Aaron Hughes, the technical director of the Irish FA, stressed the importance of the project. He said, "We remain one of a small number of UEFA nations without our own national football centre. This facility will give us somewhere we can call home, which allows us to raise standards, build our culture, and showcase our identity. It will give young boys and girls the opportunity to literally follow in the footsteps of their heroes, as they aspire to one day wear the green shirt."
He added that the centre will provide elite training grounds for all national teams, from senior to youth levels, including men’s, women’s, boys’, and girls’ squads, enabling them to train, prepare, and compete on the European and world stage.
The submission of the planning application follows several key stages in the approval process. The project was first unveiled last year after years of anticipation. The IFA then filed a Proposal of Application Notice with the Council, followed by a pre-application consultation with the local community.
The governing body outlined that the new centre will serve as a home base for the top levels of the game while also catering to the wider football community. The inclusion of a community pitch was highlighted as a direct response to the growing demand for additional playing fields in the area.