£9.6m Woodhall Sports Hub Opens in Leeds

September 16, 2026 Off By

New multi-pitch facility aims to boost grassroots sport

A new £9.6 million multi-pitch sports hub has opened in Calverley, Leeds, providing enhanced facilities for football and rugby. The Woodhall Sports Hub, developed by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Football Foundation, the Premier League, and the Football Association (FA), welcomed its first players on Saturday 12 September 2026, shortly after construction was completed.

Facility details and features

The Woodhall Sports Hub is located on an 8.3-hectare site off Woodhall Lane, previously used as a university sports ground. The complex includes:

Three full-sized, floodlit 3G pitches
Two grass pitches suitable for football and rugby
A pavilion with changing rooms, toilets, a community café, and meeting spaces
Outdoor play areas for children
Improved walking and running routes
Parking facilities
Landscaping featuring native trees and wildflowers

The site is open seven days a week and managed by the National Football Trust, with day-to-day operations handled by the Leisure United charity. The pitches are available for general hire, with a focus on encouraging participation from women’s and junior clubs in the local area.

Funding and community impact

The project received a £5.4 million grant from the Football Foundation’s Hubs programme, which aims to improve sporting opportunities in towns and cities across England. Additional funding came from Leeds City Council, section 106 developer contributions, and private sector partners.

The Woodhall Sports Hub is part of Leeds City Council’s wider Leeds Ambitions plan, which seeks to increase physical activity and reduce health inequalities across the city. The council has emphasised that the facility’s pricing structure is designed to ensure accessibility for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The new hub is expected to address a shortage of sports pitches in Calverley and surrounding areas, where teams have previously struggled to find regular training and match venues.

Future developments

Leeds City Council is also developing two additional Football Foundation Hubs in the city, located at Green Park in Temple Newsam and the former Matthew Murray High School site in Holbeck. Construction is underway at Green Park, with work planned to begin soon in Holbeck.

Statements from officials

Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for economy, said the Woodhall Sports Hub is a valuable asset that will support the health and well-being of local residents. She highlighted the importance of partnership working in delivering the project.

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, noted that the hub will provide safe and accessible facilities that benefit physical and mental health while strengthening local communities. He also mentioned the Foundation’s investment of over £23 million in three hubs across Leeds.

Mark Coulson, chief executive officer of Leisure United, described the facility as a community asset that supports people of all ages and backgrounds to be active. He confirmed that any surplus income generated will be reinvested into outdoor sports provision across Leeds.