adidas and Stormzy have opened #MerkyFC HQ, a new football centre in Croydon, providing community-focused facilities such as football pitches, a state-of-the-art recording studio, a sports gaming hub, and multipurpose rooms.
The centre, built on the Selhurst Sports Arena site and managed by Communities First Foundation, is designed to empower the local community with access to sports, training, and employment support.
The new facility will host year-round events and educational activities, offering young people opportunities to connect, learn, and play.
With the addition of a recording studio, aspiring artists have a place to create music, while the sports gaming hub, a collaboration between #MerkyFC, adidas, and EA SPORTS, provides a space for gaming and streaming.
EA SPORTS has also pledged to buy back 500 hours of playtime to ensure local organizations have access to the facilities.
This initiative is the second part of the adidas and Stormzy collaboration, following the #MerkyFC Careers programme aimed at promoting racial equity in the football industry.
With over 60 individuals placed in roles across various brands, the new #MerkyFC HQ aims to further this mission, providing a platform for young people to explore their interests in football, music, content creation, and esports.
Stormzy commented, “I’m gassed that we can finally open the doors to #Merky FC HQ. When I was growing up, there was nothing like this around for young people, so it means a lot that we now have a facility like this in Croydon. Proper homegrown!”
Steve Marks, Senior Director Brand Communications at adidas, stated, “We’re proud to launch #MerkyFC HQ, supporting the development of spaces for the local community to connect, play, and collaborate.”
Ewemade Orobator from Community First added, “#MerkyFC HQ will offer endless possibilities in a much-needed community space.”
James Salmon from EA SPORTS highlighted their commitment to supporting young people, saying, “We recognise that improving access to first-class facilities is a vital step in helping communities to fulfil their potential and pursue their creative interests.”
The initiative aligns with adidas’s broader goal of fostering equity in sports and using the power of sport to create a better future for the planet and its people.
All facilities at #MerkyFC HQ will be available for booking via www.merkyfchq.com.
For more information on adidas Football and #MerkyFC, visit adidas’s website and the #MerkyFC HQ site.