The LCFC Training Facility Project
Raising the Game: Landscape Architecture Meets Elite Sport at Leicester City FC’s Training Ground
Tucked away in the rolling countryside of Seagrave, Leicestershire, a bold new chapter in sports architecture and landscape design is unfolding. Leicester City Football Club’s new state-of-the-art training facility is not only a symbol of ambition—it is a masterclass in how elite sports infrastructure can seamlessly integrate high-performance functionality with sustainable, aesthetically compelling landscapes.
At the heart of the 185-acre development, designed by KSS Architects, is a vision that reflects the club’s meteoric rise in recent years. Backed by the club’s owners, the complex isn’t just built for training—it’s a recruitment tool, a wellness hub, and a sustainable investment in the region’s green future.
An Architectural and Landscape Benchmark
The scope of this project is as impressive as its intent: 21 playing surfaces, including 14 full-size grass pitches, all precisely engineered to support year-round use. A 500-seater show pitch allows academy players to gain experience in a matchday environment, while a dramatic, undulating indoor pitch structure serves as the development’s architectural centrepiece—melding into the landscape and housing world-class facilities for both first-team and academy squads.
Beyond football, the site includes a nine-hole golf course, a sports turf academy, and on-site accommodation for players and staff—all designed to create a holistic environment for performance, recovery, and education.
Landscaping That Supports Performance and Biodiversity
This training centre sets a new standard in the integration of nature with elite sports infrastructure. Over 21,000 trees, alongside 18,500 climbers and shrubs, have been planted to help rewild the expansive grounds. 86,000m² of wildflower meadows enhance biodiversity, drawing pollinators and supporting native species. The careful planning of green corridors and planting zones ensures the site is as beneficial to local wildlife as it is to its human occupants.
Images courtesy of Green Squares Products who supplied and installed the paving and decking on the project
Bespoke Planters and Seating: A Role for Europlanters
Working closely with the design and landscaping teams, Europlanters were proud to contribute a distinctive feature to the project—over 600m² of raised planters, expertly manufactured in GRP with a corten effect finish. These planters not only complement the contemporary architecture, they also serve functional roles, including kitchen gardens for growing herbs and vegetables used by the on-site culinary team.
In addition to the raised beds, Europlanters designed and installed bespoke angular bench planters for the two expansive terraces that overlook the grounds. These elements provide inviting spaces for relaxation and observation, blending high-end design with practical seating solutions in a sports setting.
A Sustainable Legacy
The architectural form and landscaped environment at Leicester City’s new training ground demonstrate a rare level of integration. From the material choice—like Europlanters’ lightweight and weather-resistant GRP—to the use of native planting for ecological gain, every element is deliberate.
This is more than a training facility. It’s a living campus where the boundary between nature, sport, and architecture dissolves—setting a new precedent for how elite performance environments can be designed.
The complex is also a tribute to the club’s late owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, with the medical and administrative hub named in his honour. His vision—to build a club that competes at the highest level—lives on in every corner of this forward-thinking facility.
Final Thoughts
For architects and landscape professionals, Leicester City’s training ground represents a gold standard in sports facility design. It merges technical excellence, sustainability, and design integrity into a cohesive whole. Projects like this show how thoughtful landscape and product integration—such as that delivered by Europlanters—can enhance both usability and identity.
In an age where performance and wellbeing are intrinsically linked, Leicester City’s new base proves that the landscape is no longer just the setting for sport—it’s a vital part of the team.
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