KGV Football Complex in Cosham scores twice at prestigious awards ceremony

The £8.1 million KGV Football Complex in Cosham, led by Portsmouth City Council, has won two major honours at the 2025 South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE) Awards: Client of the Year and Integration and Collaborative Working.

The awards celebrate the outstanding teamwork and collaboration that drove the successful transformation of the site into a modern football and youth hub in north Portsmouth. Delivered by Portsmouth City Council thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, the project transformed the area into a state-of-the-art football and youth facility in the north of Portsmouth.

Replacing a vandalised pavilion with no all-weather pitches, the new complex now offers a high-quality, inclusive space for sport and community use. From the outset, the council worked closely with funders, community groups, and technical specialists to ensure the facility met the city’s long-term needs.

Portsmouth City Council’s in-house teams—ranging from architects and engineers to procurement and parks officers—played a key role in shaping the project. A unique aspect of the delivery was the early appointment of Hampshire FA as the future operator alongside LST Projects as the design and build contractor, ensuring operational insight was built into the design from the beginning.

The result is a standout example of integrated planning and partnership working to deliver real impact for the local community.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “These awards are a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved when we work together. The KGV Football Complex is a shining example of collaboration, bringing together partners, professionals, and the community to create something truly special for Portsmouth.”

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport said: “This demonstrates our commitment to providing excellent sports facilities across Portsmouth, which are accessible to all and support a wide range of activities. We are only part of the way through on our journey, with more exciting developments to come in the coming years which will provide a sustainable future for sport and leisure across the city.”