The Mumford Pitch is officially unveiled

The Mumford Pitch is
officially unveiled

A new era begins for student and community sport in Cambridge city centre

Today, 7 November 2025, The Mumford Pitch was officially unveiled, marking the completion of the first phase of an ambitious redevelopment of the historic Grange Road sports ground in central Cambridge.

The newly transformed, floodlit, 3G artificial pitch – named in recognition of principal donor Hugh Mumford – will, for the first time, enable year-round access to high-quality sporting facilities for both students and the wider Cambridge community.

The Mumford Pitch has been delivered in collaboration with owners of the ground, the Cambridge University Rugby (CURUFC) and Football (CUAFC) Clubs.

The opening marks a major step forward in delivering the University’s Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity, strengthening links between the University and local residents, and promoting health, wellbeing and community connection through sport. It also feeds into the University's new civic approach to help create a more connected city.

"The Mumford Pitch represents a transformation in our sporting facilities at Cambridge. It responds to a long standing need for a high quality all-weather pitch for rugby and football. It also represents a genuine opening-up of University sport to the wider community. It’s a space where students, schools and local residents can play, train and connect and we hope will become a symbol of partnership between the University and the city.”
Bhaskar Vira, Chair of Sports Committee and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, University of Cambridge

Principal donor Hugh Mumford (R) and Chair of the Sports Committee, Bhaskar Vira enjoy the new pitch.

Principal donor Hugh Mumford (R) and Chair of the Sports Committee, Bhaskar Vira enjoy the new pitch.

The launch event brought together University leaders, civic guests and university sporting stars, including:

Bhaskar Vira, Chair of Sports Committee and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education
Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence OBE
Jess Tayenjam, Chair, CURUFC
Anna Hipkiss, Women's President, CUAFC
Josh Taylor, Men's Co-President, CUAFC
Mark Brian, Director of Sport

Guests also got to enjoy witnessing the pitch in action, with student sports demonstrations.

Hugh Mumford, Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence OBE and Bhaskar Vira in front of the pitch's new sign, with student sport representatives from the rugby and football clubs.

Hugh Mumford, Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence OBE and Bhaskar Vira in front of the pitch's new sign, with student sport representatives from the rugby and football clubs.

Transforming Cambridge sport for all

The redevelopment of the Grange Road ground marks a major investment in inclusive, sustainable sport at the University of Cambridge. The new floodlit, artificial grass pitch increases capacity from around 10 hours of weekly use to more than 80, enabling rugby union, football, lacrosse, rugby league, American football and Australian rules football to train and compete all-year-round.

For the first time, due to the increased available hours, the ground will also become available to book by community clubs, schools and organisations, offering shared use of one of the city’s most historic sporting venues.

“I am delighted to be part of the exciting new development at Grange Road. I hope that this new pitch will be used by many, from those already playing at a high level to those who decide to give sport a try. Sport played an important role in my time at Cambridge and its impact has continued well beyond my university years. The lessons learned on the sports field have proven invaluable in the workplace and in life. It gives me great pleasure therefore to support a project which will bring about an increase in sporting activity both for students and the wider community”.
- Hugh Mumford, principal donor

Student sports teams are putting the pitch to good use already.

Student sports teams are putting the pitch to good use already.

Founded in 1896 and jointly owned by CURUFC (founded 1871) and CUAFC (founded 1856). The ground has long been home to these two historic clubs, both of which have played influential roles in shaping their sports nationally and internationally.

Owing to the poor quality of the former pitch, which restricted weekly use to just a few hours, CUAFC have not trained at Grange Road since the 1970s. The new Mumford Pitch marks a welcome return for the Club to their historic home ground.

Next steps

This milestone marks a big step towards the completion of Phase One of the Grange Road ground redevelopment. The next steps will be working towards improved accessibility, integrated medical facilities and upgraded changing facilities.

Plans for Phase Two include a pavilion extension, flexible community spaces and new stands.

If you are passionate about sport and its power in promoting personal development, supporting wellbeing, and building community, find out how you can support the Grange Road redevelopment or contact Derek Wilson, Head of Development, Sport, Music Performance, Clubs and Societies on derek.wilson@admin.cam.ac.uk.