Sports facilities are no longer limited to a single game or activity. Schools, councils, and community organisations are investing in multi-purpose spaces that can be adapted for everything from football and basketball to fitness sessions and informal play. At the heart of these facilities is the surfacing, and choosing the right material makes all the difference. Playtop surfacing provides a reliable, high-performing option that helps communities make the most of their space.
MUGA’s (Multi-Use Games Areas) are becoming an essential feature for schools, councils, and community spaces. In our latest blog, we look at how Playtop surfacing helps design safe, durable, and versatile multi-purpose sports areas for football, basketball, tennis, and more.
Why Multi-Use Game Areas matter?
Across the UK, there is a growing recognition of the importance of keeping people active at every stage of life. According to Sport England, more than 30 million adults are now achieving the recommended weekly levels of physical activity, which is an increase of 2.4 million people since 2016¹. This growth highlights a clear need for spaces that can accommodate varied sporting interests.
Multi-purpose sports areas, sometimes called Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), are a cost-effective and flexible way to meet this demand. Instead of building a separate pitch or court for each sport, one well-designed facility can serve multiple groups and age ranges. In schools, these spaces provide pupils with the chance to try a broader range of activities, which can encourage lifelong habits of fitness. In community parks, they create hubs that appeal to teenagers, young adults, and families, ensuring that local spaces stay well used.
The social benefits are just as important as the physical ones. Multi-Use Game Areas (MUGA’s) bring together different groups of people who may not otherwise interact. A space where basketball, tennis, and football can all be played fosters a sense of inclusion and helps reduce barriers to participation.
The advantages of Playtop surfacing
The surfacing used in a sports area is the foundation for everything else. It affects performance, safety, durability, and overall enjoyment of the space. Playtop surfacing has been developed to meet these demands in a way that few alternatives can match.
Playtop is a poured rubber system that creates a smooth, joint-free surface. It combines resilience with a forgiving feel underfoot, which helps reduce stress on joints during running, jumping, or rapid changes of direction. The material is also water-permeable, allowing rainwater to drain through quickly so that surfaces remain usable after bad weather. In a climate where heavy rainfall is common, this feature makes a significant difference to accessibility.
Safety is another core strength. Playtop surfacing provides excellent slip resistance, even in wet conditions. For schools and public parks where users range from young children to adults, this is a crucial consideration. The system also absorbs impact, reducing the likelihood of injuries from trips or falls.
A unique option within the range is Playtop with Nike Grind. This version of the surfacing includes rubber from worn-out sports shoes in the top layer. By giving discarded footwear a second life, the product maintains its high level of performance while also linking community sport directly back to the world of athletics.
Design principles for successful MUGA areas
Creating a facility that genuinely meets the needs of its community requires more than choosing the right surface. Careful planning ensures that the space performs well, remains safe, and delivers long-term value.
Surface performance
Different sports place different demands on a surface. Football requires good grip and ball control, basketball depends on consistent bounce, and tennis needs clear traction for rapid side movements. With the UK’s sport participation rate projected to reach 63.9 percent by 2025–26², demand for facilities that can support a wide mix of activities is only set to grow. Playtop surfacing offers a balance of strength, comfort, and consistency across a variety of sports.
Line markings
Clear markings are essential for multi-use courts. Without them, games quickly become confusing. Using contrasting colours helps players identify the correct boundaries and encourages smooth play. Playtop surfacing allows for custom colours and designs, making it easier to differentiate lines for each sport. This not only supports effective play but also makes the area more visually appealing.
Drainage and weather resistance
One of the biggest challenges in outdoor sports is dealing with the British weather. Research shows that about 30 percent of potential playing and coaching time is lost due to poor conditions and lack of lighting⁴. A surface that drains well is key to maximising usage. Playtop’s water-permeable system ensures that standing water is minimised, allowing communities to make the most of their investment all year round.
Safety and accessibility
Safety underpins the design of any sports area. Impact-absorbing surfaces protect players during falls and reduce stress injuries from repeated impact. Smooth transitions around the edges of the surfacing also make facilities accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the space. By considering accessibility at the planning stage, councils and schools can create areas that feel welcoming and inclusive.
Visual appeal and community identity
The look of a sports area is often overlooked, yet it plays a big role in encouraging participation. Bright colours, creative layouts, and designs that reflect a school’s branding or a council’s identity help generate pride in the facility. Playtop surfacing offers a wide range of colours and blends, giving organisations the flexibility to create spaces that not only perform well but also look inviting.
Meeting the demand for outdoor activity
Outdoor activity has grown steadily in the UK, both in formal sport and informal recreation. A recent survey by the Sport and Recreation Alliance found that nearly nine million people are currently active outdoors, while a further 18.2 million say they would like to be³. This demonstrates a significant opportunity. By providing safe, accessible, and attractive multi-purpose sports areas, organisations can help meet this demand and encourage more people to adopt active lifestyles.
Facilities designed with Playtop surfacing are particularly well placed to meet these needs. The combination of safety, resilience, and visual appeal ensures that the space is attractive to new users while remaining dependable for regular players. For local councils, schools, and clubs, this means a facility that delivers both immediate impact and long-term value.
Why Playtop is the right choice
Playtop surfacing has been trusted in playgrounds and sports facilities around the world for decades. Its joint-free installation means fewer weak points and longer durability, while its maintenance requirements are relatively low compared to other options. The flexibility of the material allows it to be laid over existing bases such as concrete, making upgrades and refurbishments more straightforward.
The Playtop with Nike Grind option also offers an added layer of innovation. By incorporating rubber from worn-out trainers, it connects every local sports facility to a global story of progress and reinvention. For schools and councils, it demonstrates a commitment to investing in products that have a positive story behind them.
Multi-purpose sports areas are more than just a place to play. They are spaces where young people discover new interests, where communities come together, and where active lifestyles are encouraged. Designing these areas requires careful attention to performance, safety, and accessibility. With Playtop surfacing, schools and organisations can be confident that their facilities will meet these needs while also delivering long-term reliability.
By choosing Playtop, you are investing in a surface that is safe, adaptable, and visually engaging. Whether your project is for a school, a local park, or a sports club, Playtop surfacing provides the foundation for a facility that will serve its community for years to come.
Speak to Playtop today to explore how our surfacing solutions can help bring your multi-purpose sports area to life.
References
- Sport England. Record numbers playing sport and taking part in physical activity. Available at: https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-inspiration/record-numbers-playing-sport-and-taking-part-physical-activity
- IBISWorld. Sport Participation in the UK – Industry Trends (2025–26). Available at: https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/bed/sport-participation/44182
- Sport and Recreation Alliance. Outdoor activity findings unveiled. Available at: https://sportandrecreation.org.uk/news/outdoor-activity-findings-unveiled
- Streetspace Structures. Sports canopies: overcoming weather barriers. Available at: https://streetspacestructures.co.uk/sports-canopies