Premier League announces new funding for non-league and women's clubs

The Premier League has announced increased financial support for clubs throughout the football pyramid to make improvements to their stadiums.

Grants totalling £16 million are being made available to clubs in the National League System and women's football pyramid between now and the end of next season. This is more than double the existing annual investment provided by the Premier League to support ground improvements for lower-league clubs.

Premier League Stadium Fund grants will enable clubs to invest in projects to develop many aspects of their grounds, including the ongoing improvements required for stadiums to meet the requirements of the league that clubs play in.

The Premier League will also provide specific support for clubs in their recovery from the impact of COVID-19, helping them to enhance links with their local communities. These grants will allow clubs to develop areas such as clubhouses, hospitality areas, catering and other facilities to benefit fans and increase revenue streams to build larger, more sustainable clubs. Applications for this club development fund will open on Wednesday 6 April, with more information on all Premier League Stadium Fund grants available at premierleague.­com/­stadiumfund.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "The strength of our football pyramid is unique in world football and the Premier League has a long-standing commitment to provide funding for clubs at all levels.

"With our increased financial support, we are helping clubs plan for the future and improve their long-term sustainability. This is particularly important as they recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We know how important it is for the Premier League to support all levels of the game. Football clubs are vital to local communities and we hope this funding will help them develop multi-use facilities to support football for the whole community."

This is the latest financial commitment from the Premier League to lower-league, non-league and women's clubs. Since 2000, the League has provided more than 5,200 grants worth over £177 million to support the development of stadiums and fan-engagement projects at all levels of the game through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). The Premier League Stadium Fund takes on the existing work of the FSIF with an extended remit.

The new Premier League Stadium Fund is part of the £1.6 billion the Premier League will invest between 2022 and 2025 to support communities and the wider game.