Cardiff City charity logs £66m social value over two seasons 2026

Key Points

• The Cardiff City FC Community Foundation organised the Annual Impact Celebration Event in Cardiff City Stadium on 30 September 2026.
• This was in recognition of a record year of reach as the organisation reached out to more than 150,000 participants through various programmes in 2024/25 season.
• Analysis by Substance revealed that the charitable foundation created £32.9 million worth of social value in 2024/25 season and £66 million in two seasons.
• The social value created by the Foundation means £19 is gained from every pound spent on the programmes offered by the Foundation in Cardiff and South Wales communities.
• According to participant surveys, 93% indicated improvement in their sense of belonging and nine in ten people reported improvements in their wellbeing.
• Zac Lyndon-Jones and Ken Choo spoke on the magnitude of their impact and the contributions of partners, staff and volunteers in the process.
• The Foundation released its 2024/25 Impact Report and organised “Friends and Family of the Foundation” event in early September.

Cardiff (Wales Times) October 01, 2026 – Community Foundation gathered at the home of the Bluebirds on 30 September 2026 to host its Annual Impact Celebration Event, marking what the charity described as a record year of engagement and social impact. The event brought together staff, delivery partners, funders and supporters to review the Foundation’s 2024/25 activities and to launch its latest impact report.

As reported by the club’s official website, the celebration coincided with the publication of the 2024/25 Impact Report, which sets out how the official charity of uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff City FC is creating safe, inclusive spaces for children, young people and families to thrive across South Wales. The report underlines a place-based approach that responds directly to local need through tailored support in health and wellbeing, learning and skills, and community cohesion.

How much social value did Cardiff City FC Community Foundation generate in 2024/25?

Independent analysis carried out by social value specialists Substance found that Cardiff City FC Community Foundation delivered £32.9 million in social value in the 2024/25 season alone. The same assessment showed that the Foundation has generated more than £66 million in social value over the last two seasons, following £33.4 million in 2023/24.

According to coverage by Business News Wales, every £1 invested in the Foundation’s work returned £19 in benefits for people and communities across Cardiff and South Wales. The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) reported the same headline figure, describing the two-year total as a £66 million boost for communities across the region.

What areas of life did the Foundation’s work affect?

The 2024/25 impact breakdown showed that £17.4 million of social value was generated through improvements in health and wellbeing, including physical health, mental health and life satisfaction. A further £10.2 million came from social and community outcomes, such as stronger relationships, greater community cohesion and an increased sense of belonging.

Education and employment outcomes contributed £4.9 million, reflecting the value of participants gaining qualifications, confidence, transferable skills and pathways towards work. Additional social value, including support such as volunteering, donations, in-kind help and facilities, added more than £329,000.

What do participant figures show about wellbeing and belonging?

The charity’s own participant data shows the human impact behind the financial measures. In 2024/25, 93% of people engaged reported an improved sense of belonging in their community. Nine in ten said their mental, emotional or physical wellbeing had improved.

Nine in ten also reported stronger peer relationships, a better attitude towards learning and improved transferable skills such as confidence, problem-solving and teamwork. Eighty-eight per cent said they had a better understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle.

As reported by the Foundation’s own news release, last season saw more than 150,000 attendances across its programmes, supported by partnerships with organisations including the University of South Wales, EFL in the Community and the Premier League Foundation.

Who spoke at the event and what did they say?

Zac Lyndon-Jones, Chief Executive of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said generating more than £66 million of social value over the last two seasons was a “remarkable achievement”. He added that every £1 spent delivering £19 in return was a “powerful reflection of the commitment of our staff, volunteers and partners”.

“These figures represent real people whose lives have been positively changed through improved wellbeing, greater confidence, stronger connections and new opportunities,” Zac Lyndon-Jones said, according to statements reported by Business News Wales and the WSA. He added:

“We are proud of the impact being delivered across Cardiff and South Wales, but we also know there is more to do.”

Ken Choo, Cardiff City FC Executive Director and CEO, said football had a “unique power to bring people together and change lives”. He described the £66 million figure as “hugely impressive” but stressed that what mattered most was “people feeling healthier, more confident, more connected and better able to fulfil their potential”.

How was the celebration event structured and who attended?

The Annual Impact Celebration Event was hosted at Cardiff City Stadium and featured stories from people who have experienced the Foundation’s work first-hand. As reported on the Foundation’s website, the event was hosted by Geraint Hardy, the voice behind the Bluebirds, and included testimonies from participants and partners.

One account highlighted Lee Griffiths’ search for a secure and welcoming place for his father at the 1927 Club following a dementia diagnosis, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society and Sporting Memories. Other panels focused on work with the University of South Wales, EFL in the Community and the Premier League Foundation to create inclusive, accessible environments for young people.

Earlier in September, the Foundation also held a “Community Foundation Day 2026 | Friends and Family of the Foundation” event in connection with the home fixture against Charlton Athletic. As reported by the club, this was the first time the charity invited friends and family of staff and volunteers to celebrate its work, bringing attendees together in the Ninian Lounge.

What programmes and partnerships underpin the impact?

The Foundation delivers targeted programmes for young people at risk of disengagement, exploitation and long-term disadvantage, including work with the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violence Prevention Unit. Through early intervention, mentoring, education, sport and community-based support, the charity helps young people make positive choices and access opportunities that can change the direction of their lives.

Substance, which carried out the social value assessment, has developed social value models for football, sport and physical activity and has worked with UEFA, more than 40 national football associations, individual clubs, club charities and sports governing bodies. Its model uses evidence from academic research, participant data and recognised public value measures to estimate the financial benefit of positive outcomes.

Background to the development

Cardiff City FC Community Foundation is the official charity of Cardiff City Football Club and uses the appeal of the club to support people across South Wales to achieve their full potential. In previous years, the Foundation has reported rising social impact values, with £11 million cited for an earlier period before the more recent £33.4 million (2023/24) and £32.9 million (2024/25) figures.

The Annual Impact Celebration Event has become a fixture in the charity’s calendar, with a similar event held in April 2026 to reflect on the 2024/25 season and launch the corresponding impact report. The latest gathering on 30 September 2026 built on that work, bringing together partners and supporters to review outcomes and to promote further collaboration.

Prediction: how could this development affect local communities and supporters?

If the Foundation maintains its current trajectory, local communities in Cardiff and South Wales are likely to see continued improvements in wellbeing, belonging and skills among participants, particularly children, young people and families facing barriers linked to poverty, health and education. The £19 return for every £1 invested suggests that public and private funders may view the charity as a high-impact vehicle for social investment, potentially unlocking further resources for existing and new programmes.

For Cardiff City FC supporters, the record social value and attendances could strengthen the connection between matchday activity and community work, encouraging more fans to engage with fundraising, volunteering and referral pathways. For local authorities and health partners, the detailed breakdown of outcomes in health, education and community cohesion may support more integrated commissioning of sports-based interventions. However, the leadership’s own statements acknowledge that demand remains high and that reaching the people who need support most will require sustained partnership and funding.