The £20 million Scottish Government investment will help young people across Scotland get involved in sport and activities
Youth Scotland is excited to announce it has secured funding, facilitated by sportscotland, to deliver sport and activities for children and young people across Scotland as part of the 2026 Summer of Sport.
The £20 million initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, will offer young people aged 3 to 26 the opportunity to get active and maybe try something new.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”
This summer, it’s game on, and the 2026 Summer of Sport is a unique opportunity for communities across Scotland to embrace the excitement of sport, inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, both of which will showcase Scotland on the global stage and inspire young people to take part, get active and begin their own journey in sport and activity.
As part of the 2026 Summer of Sport, Youth Scotland is working with sportscotland and partners across the country to ensure these opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of background. The funding will enable the delivery of activities designed to help young people develop healthy habits, build stronger social connections, and foster a lifelong love of movement.
Chief Executive for Youth Scotland, Mike Strang, said:
“Thanks to the 2026 Summer of Sport, we’re able to provide more opportunities for young people in Scotland’s communities. By supporting our member groups across the country, Youth Scotland will help young people who face barriers to participation to access inclusive, free or low-cost sport and physical activity in places they know and trust.
The programme will combine targeted Activate grants – the next in our series of small grants to support grassroots youth work – with Youth Scotland’s membership support, co-ordination and wider youth leadership and training offer to increase participation and create sustained pathways into community sport. This support will be focused on groups working in areas of deprivation and rural communities, helping to strengthen local Summer of Sport plans, build on existing community provision and reach young people who are not currently engaged.
Through this investment, we are delighted to support community-based youth groups to have a great 2026 Summer of Sport – Game On!”
To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit: sportscotland.org.uk/2026
To hear more about the Activate grants and support for youth groups, follow our socials and subscribe to our newsletter
Download the full press release below.