AN £18 million Scottish Government investment will give young people the chance to get involved in different sporting activities on their doorstep.
The Council, working in partnership with sportscotland, has secured funding from the national initiative to provide free and low-cost opportunities for young people locally as part of the national agency’s 2026 Summer of Sport.
The £18 million initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland, will offer young people aged three to 26 the opportunity to get active and maybe try something new.
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 Glasgow 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.
With activities running throughout the summer and beyond, young people in Edinburgh will have access to a range of free and low-cost sport and physical activity opportunities, helping remove barriers to participation and ensure more young people have the chance to get involved.
The Council will work with colleagues and a network of partners, including Edinburgh Leisure, The University of Edinburgh, Scottish Student Sport, NHS, local sports clubs and local community organisations to ensure these opportunities are available to young people, 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.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “We’re proud to support the 2026 Summer of Sport and are excited for the accessible activity opportunities it will create for young people in Edinburgh.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to try something new, get active, and experience the joy of physical activity and sport. We will work with colleagues and partners to make these opportunities available to young people across Edinburgh, regardless of background.”
Education, Children and Families Convenor James Dalgleish said: “With the school summer holidays fast approaching, this funding will make it possible for even more children across the city to take part in, and maybe even have a go, at a new sport for the first time.
“We are committed to levelling the playing field for all children and young people in Edinburgh and we know that sport can play a crucial role in supporting that.
“The benefits of being active are widely known and the range of activities on offer will hopefully encourage young people to get out, get active and as a result benefit from better social connection, camaraderie, alongside health benefits.
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.”
Through these investments, the Council is working to ensure that the 2026 Summer of Sport positively influences as many young people as possible, fostering engagement in sport and outdoor activities across all communities.
To find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport, visit:
sportscotland.org.uk/2026 and www.edinburgh.gov.uk/summerofsport
