The Football Association of Wales has calculated that £150m must be invested in facilities across the country by the end of the decade to meet rising demand. Chief executive Noel Mooney said the recent change in Welsh Government presents an opportunity to reset sport funding, with participation figures at record levels.

Over the past four years, the Cymru Football Foundation has spent £27m developing facilities at all levels. However, a new consultation reveals this falls far short of requirements – needing five times that amount. The surge includes a 47% increase in women and girls playing football and a one-third rise in young participants, pushing the total registered players to 120,000.

Current infrastructure cannot cope with this growth. Only 43% of grass pitches meet acceptable standards, while artificial surfaces underserve 18 of the 22 local authority areas. Poor changing facilities compound the problem, limiting safe, positive environments for grassroots players to develop.

Mooney welcomed the appointment of Heledd Fychan as sport minister, hoping for increased funding support. The Welsh Government confirmed it will audit regional facilities and engage with governing bodies for targeted investment. Without these upgrades, the participation boom risks outpacing available infrastructure, potentially stunting the sport's continued growth across Wales.