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Nottingham Forest Community Trust has announced a major £1.9 million redevelopment of the Forest Sports Zone, a facility at the heart of the community and located on the historic site of Nottingham Forest Football Club’s original home.

The redevelopment will see both existing pitches upgraded to modern, high-performance 3G surfaces. The current 3G pitch will be resurfaced with new materials and improved LED lighting, while the adjacent sand-based pitch will be fully reconstructed to create an additional all-weather 3G pitch, increasing year-round capacity.

Alongside the pitch improvements, the changing room facility will be extended to include a new two-storey entrance, expanded office space and a dedicated community area, creating a welcoming and accessible hub for local people, clubs and organisations.

Since launching as the Forest Sports Zone in 2015, the facility has become one of the busiest community sports facilities in the UK, welcoming over 2,000 community members each week.

The venue plays a central role in physical activity, opportunity and connection across Nottingham, bringing together grassroots football, holiday clubs and health and wellbeing programmes.

Located at the Forest Recreation Ground, the area is where Nottingham Forest Football Club first laid its foundations in the city, making it one of the most significant locations in the club’s illustrious history.

This redevelopment reinforces Nottingham Forest’s presence in the city beyond the City Ground, ensuring its heritage remains visible and relevant in the communities it serves.

Through this investment, Nottingham Forest Community Trust continues to connect with local communities creating a space where future generations can engage and access high-quality, inclusive provision.

This investment will ensure the facility continues to meet the needs of the community for years to come, while enhancing the quality of provision on a site with deep historical significance.

The project is being delivered through a partnership between Nottingham Forest Community Trust, Nottingham City Council and the Football Foundation, with funding contributions of £625,000 from the Trust, £1 million from the Football Foundation and the remaining balance from Nottingham City Council.

Once complete, the redevelopment will enable greater access to high-quality facilities, supporting participation in sport, physical activity and community programmes in a safe and inclusive environment.

To allow the works to take place, the facility will close for approximately five weeks from Monday 18th May 2026. A partial reopening is planned for summer 2026, with the full site reopening in autumn 2026.

Calum Osborne, Chief Executive of Nottingham Forest Community Trust said:

“This significant investment will ensure the Forest Sports Zone continues to provide high-quality, accessible facilities for local people.

“The site also holds a special connection to Nottingham Forest’s heritage, as the club’s original home, helping to maintain a presence in the heart of the city while delivering real benefits for the community, now and for years to come.

“This exciting project is a strong example of what can be achieved through effective partnership, with Nottingham City Council and the Football Foundation working alongside us to deliver lasting impact for local communities.”

Cllr Sam Lux, Nottingham City Council’s Executive Member for Climate, Energy and Nature said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to see this level of investment coming into the Forest Sports Zone.

“These improvements will make a real difference for the local players, clubs, schools and the wider community, providing high-quality facilities that everyone can be proud of.

“The partnership behind this project shows what can be achieved when organisations work together for the benefit of Nottingham residents, and I’m excited to see the upgraded site take shape.”