UEFA Grassroots Week is an annual celebration of community football across Europe. It shines a spotlight on the millions of people who bring the game to life every week, from children taking their first steps in football to the clubs, coaches, and volunteers who keep their communities connected and active.
The week highlights the power of grassroots football to inspire, include, and unite. It celebrates participation, promotes opportunities to get involved in playing, coaching, and refereeing, and showcases programmes that ensure football is open to everyone. In 2025, UEFA Grassroots Week takes place from 22–29 September, in partnership with EA Sports FC Futures.
Together, UEFA and its member associations will amplify the role of grassroots football in developing players, strengthening communities, and ensuring the game continues to thrive at every level. UEFA invests 97% of revenue back into football, with grassroots as a core pillar.
Olivier Doglia, Chief of Football Development at UEFA, said: “UEFA Grassroots Week celebrates the journeys of players at every stage, from their very first kick of a ball in schools or local clubs to developing the skills, confidence, and love of the game that can last a lifetime. It also recognises the commitment of coaches and volunteers who create environments where every player feels safe, supported, and able to grow.
“Grassroots is where football begins – in clubs, schools, and communities, and this week we honour those who give every player the chance to play, learn, and enjoy the game.”
As a member association of UEFA, the FAW is a signatory to the UEFA Grassroots Charter, the framework supporting national associations to strengthen their grassroots strategies, ensuring quality, inclusion, and sustainability. The FAW’s grassroots strategy, ‘Enhancing Lives Through Football’, aims to enhance lives and create stronger, healthier and connected communities using the power of football.
In an historic year, which saw Cymru participate in a major women’s tournament for the first time, recreational grassroots programmes such as Huddle and BE. Football provide opportunities for girls to play football in fun, relaxed, welcoming environments.
Furthermore, the FAW Referee Award and brand-new Coach Education Pathway offer people the chance deliver and support grassroots football in non-playing roles.
Ben Field, Head of Grassroots Football at the FAW, said: “UEFA Grassroots Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the power of grassroots football and the thousands of people who support the grassroots game across Cymru on a regular basis.”
“Having recognised members of our grassroots community at a national awards ceremony last week, UEFA Grassroots Week provides us with a great opportunity to thank the wider community and encourage new participants, volunteers, coaches and referees to give grassroots football a go.”
“Grassroots is where everybody’s football journey begins, and we are excited to assess the impact of our ‘Enhancing Lives Through Football’ strategy and keep supporting the growth of grassroots football in years to come.”
