Powerleague

Powerleague is an operator of small-sided football centres, with 43 sites across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The company is headquartered in Fitzrovia, London. It also manages amateur sports leagues across the UK through its league operations arm, formerly known as Powerplay, which now operates under the Powerleague brand. These leagues span over 350 locations and include football and netball competitions.

Powerleague has developed a proprietary artificial playing surface known as POWERPITCH™, and introduced an updated version, POWERPITCHPLUS™, in 2023.

Powerleague venues

Powerleague operates 43 small-sided football centres across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and the Netherlands.^[1]

United Kingdom

England – Greater London

• Barnet
• Battersea
• Camden
• Croydon
• Enfield
• Finchley
• Mill Hill
• Shepherd's Bush
• Shoreditch
• Tottenham
• Vauxhall
• Watford

England – Greater Manchester

• Manchester Central^[2]
• Ardwick
• Academy
• Audenshaw
• Chorlton
• Didsbury
• Eccles
• Nicholls
• South (William Hulme’s)
• Velodrome

England – Other Regions

• Birmingham
• Bolton
• Colchester
• Coventry
• Leeds Central
• Luton
• Romford
• Slough
• Stockport

Scotland

• Glasgow
• Paisley
• Edinburgh – Portobello
• Edinburgh – Sighthill

International

Republic of Ireland

• Dublin (multiple locations)

Netherlands

• Amsterdam
• Rotterdam^[3]

Origins

Powerleague Birmingham (drone view)

In 1987, Keith Rogers opened what is considered the world’s first commercial 5-a-side football centre in Paisley, under the brand name Pitz.^[4] Rogers expanded the business to 11 centres before it was acquired by private equity firm 3i, which subsequently rebranded the operation as Powerleague.

Recent history

In 2002, after a period of decline, 3i invited Claude Littner, then Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur F.C., to take over executive leadership.^[5] A year later, Littner led a management buyout, leaving 3i with a minority stake. After listing on the Alternative Investment Market, Powerleague acquired the Soccerdome centres from JJB Sports in 2008. The company was subsequently acquired by Patron Capital in December 2009.^[6]

2018–present

In 2018, Patron Capital appointed a new executive team, including CEO Christian Rose, CFO Mike Evans, and John Gillespie, who has since become Chief Commercial and Customer Officer. Since then, the company has undertaken infrastructure upgrades across its centres, including pitch resurfacing, clubhouse renovations, and improvements to digital services.^[7]

In June 2025, Powerleague was acquired by Broadsword Investment Management. The existing executive team remained in place under the new ownership. Broadsword announced plans to support Powerleague’s expansion strategy, including site development, pitch regeneration, and entry into new sports sectors such as padel.^[8]

Padel expansion

In 2024, Powerleague introduced padel courts at its Shoreditch and Birmingham locations. In 2025, the company announced a £14 million investment to establish 17 additional padel clubs across the UK. By 2026, the expansion is expected to result in 76 courts, with an estimated 200,000 annual users.^[9]