Application Process

The mini-pitches are designed to celebrate and extend the legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Your application should explain how the pitch will serve as a lasting community asset and legacy of this global event.

It is a rolling deadline until all the pitches are given out. Depending on the location, this could be as soon as possibly July or as late as the Fall.

No, there is no direct funding provided to communities.

The Mini-Pitch Legacy Project covers all costs related to the construction and installation of the mini-pitch, as well as associated grassroots programming and coach support. All capital expenditures and vendor payments are managed directly by the project team; selected communities do not receive capital or direct cash transfers.

You do not have to have a specific site selected in order to submit the Expression of Interest (EOI), but you will not approved and able to move on to Phase 2 of the application process until you have a site selected and provide supporting evidence of ownership and partnership.

We recommend you hold your application until all parts are complete, as a partial application will be held regardless. Once a complete “Phase 1 Expression of Interest” is approved, you will be given the information required to move onto Phase 2 with the full application including specific technical assessment.

You can apply if you have a long-term lease (minimum 5 years) with documentation from the landowner. You must also provide written support from the governing body of the proposed site.

For proof of land ownership and organization registration/status, an official letter on letterhead from the governing body / owner will suffice. It is not intended to be cumbersome, but to ensure that the body owning the land is in support of the application.

No, the applicant organization must be a non-profit organization, local government, school district, or pre-approved entity.

There is no application fee. The application process is free for all eligible organizations

The entire area will need to be paved in order to instal the mini pitch, but it does not yet have to be paved to submit the request or be approved for a mini pitch.

Contact the project team to discuss multiple site applications. Generally, one application per organization is preferred.

The project team will provide feedback on why the site was not selected and may suggest improvements for resubmission.

Once installed, your organization is responsible for long-term operations and maintenance. The project team will provide immediate support and resources.

• Operational Guidelines: Host communities are expected to keep the facility clean, secure, and properly repaired to facilitate safe, year-round grassroots recreation.

• Local Responsibility: While the core project team provides immediate support, resources, and up to three years of post-installation programming curriculum, the host organization is fully responsible for all ongoing operations, routine upkeep, and long-term maintenance costs.

• 10-Year Commitment: Once the mini-pitch system is installed, the local community or host organization retains complete ownership of the hardware and infrastructure. Successful applicants must formally commit to a minimum 10-year maintenance and activation plan to ensure the facility remains a safe, functional, and active community asset for its entire planned operational lifespan.
• Anticipated Operational Costs. The exact budget for these ongoing expenses will vary dynamically depending on your specific regional environment and daily facility usage. Local weather factors (such as seasonal snow removal, heavy coastal rainfall drainage monitoring, or high UV exposure) interact with how frequently the pitch is used by community members to determine baseline maintenance schedules. Routine tasks will fluctuate according to these variables, and applicants are expected to scale their 10-year sustainability models to reflect their local conditions.

The mini-pitches are designed as long-term community assets. Your organization must commit to a minimum 10-year maintenance and activation plan.

In the true spirit of the project and as a lasting community legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, our fundamental goal is to ensure mini-pitches remain widely accessible to everyone and reduce financial barriers. As part of the initial project agreement, all community activations and sport programming are expected to be no or low cost to participant for the first three years.

We understand that every community has unique operational needs. We recognize that some locations may require registration systems simply to structure safe access and coordinate playtime efficiently. Furthermore, we acknowledge that after the three year agreement, communities may introduce fee-for-service models, both to encourage consistent attendance and to contribute to long-term site maintenance.

To safeguard the project’s values, any such fees must be directed toward supporting inclusive, not-for-profit community participation rather than commercial, for-profit groups. Above all, the Project Team remains highly flexible and open to ongoing discussions to find the right balance that best serves your local community.

No. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC has the exclusive ability to secure and promote corporate sponsors on this project.