Work has started on Hertfordshire's first PlayZone, a floodlit artificial pitch in King George V Park, Stevenage. Groups can register to hire it now.

Building work has started on a floodlit, all-weather sports pitch in King George V Park, the first Football Foundation PlayZone to be built anywhere in Hertfordshire. Stevenage Borough Council says it should be finished in November 2026, and it is already taking names from residents, clubs and groups who want to hire it.

The pitch is going in on part of a disused tennis court in the park, paid for by a grant from the Football Foundation, the FA’s charitable arm. The council announced the start of work in a press release sent to Stevenage Today on 7 October, and it is billing the project as a key part of the town’s celebrations of 80 years since Stevenage became a New Town.

What is being built

A PlayZone is a third-generation (3G) artificial pitch. The council says it is designed “primarily for football but can be used for a variety of other sports”, and the floodlights mean it can be played on after dark, in any weather, all year.

The site was picked after what the council calls “extensive community consultation” with residents, clubs, groups and partners. Teams from across the council have worked on it with the Football Foundation and Hertfordshire FA.

The council says the pitch will be available to hire “at low rates” for residents, local clubs and community groups. It has not yet published the prices or the booking hours.

“The first place in Hertfordshire”

Councillor Myla Arceno, the council’s Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Wellbeing, said:

“I am delighted that Stevenage is the first place in Hertfordshire to have a PlayZone and I am thankful to the Football Foundation for its funding and partnership on the facility.

“This investment will see the launch of a strongly community orientated facility. It will provide opportunities for football and other forms of outdoor exercise at an affordable cost all year round and after dark, so more people can benefit from leisure fun and physical activity. We look forward to the completion of the PlayZone in November 2026.”

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said the design came from the people who will use it:

“When it comes to tackling the greatest inequalities to becoming active, the Football Foundation knows a ‘one-size fits all’ approach doesn’t work. That’s why community engagement is at the heart of our PlayZones programme.

“As with all PlayZones, the new facility at the King George V park has been shaped by the local community in Stevenage who’ll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them.

“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners, the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country.”

Who was on site

The photograph above was taken on the cleared site. The council names those pictured, from left to right, as Stephen Minshull (Chiltern); Shaun Gill (McArdle Sport Tec); Pete Beeley (Stevenage FC Football Foundation); Chris Geldart (Hertfordshire FA); the Mayor of Stevenage; Councillor Lloyd Briscoe, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure; Councillor Myla Arceno; Ryan Ansell, the council’s Health and Wellbeing Manager; and Allan Prescott (Everyone Active).

What it means for you

If you run a team, a club, a youth group or a fitness session, or you simply want to book the pitch with friends, the council wants to hear from you before it opens. It expects “demand to be high” and is asking people to register today.

  • Register your interest: the council’s PlayZone expression of interest form, or scan the QR code below.
  • When: the council expects the pitch to be finished in November 2026. No opening date has been set yet; we will add it here when the council confirms it.
  • Cost: “low rates” for residents, clubs and groups, with prices still to be published.
QR code labelled Playzone Facility, Expression of Interest, which opens Stevenage Borough Council's PlayZone booking interest form
QR code for the council's PlayZone expression of interest form. Image: supplied by Stevenage Borough Council

The PlayZone is separate from the council’s bigger leisure project: building work on Stevenage’s new £45m leisure centre started in September and runs to 2028. The museum is also marking the 80th anniversary, and is asking for New Town childhood photos.

Source: Stevenage Borough Council press release, 7 October 2026. Press enquiries: Corporate Communications, 01438 242 168.