What is a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area)?

4th June 2024

If you work in education, chances are you’ve heard the term “MUGA” being thrown around. It’s true, the elusive acronym is troubling teachers all over Britain. Enter us - savers-of-the-day, teachers of teachers, synthetic turf gurus - to tell you, the people, what a MUGA actually is.

STM World Muga Pitches

MUGA Mystery Solved

MUGA stands for Multi Use Games Area. They’re made from artificial grass surfacing and incorporate the different turf types and pitch markings needed to accommodate a number of sports, right there in one place.

A MUGA can be designed for pretty much any sport you can think of:

  • Football
  • Tennis
  • Rugby
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Rounders

Oh, and training and games, too.

Why would a school need a MUGA?

MUGAs are designed to help schools make the most of limited space and budgets. The idea is that, instead of having multiple pitches, costing more money and requiring more time for installation, schools can enjoy different sports using just one surface.

Why are STM MUGAs different?

STM MUGAs are made from the highest quality artificial turf available, produced here in the UK by our world leading manufacturers. Plus, we make our MUGAs out of multi-coloured turf, rather than plain old green. We think it helps clearly define which sports are which and, well, looks better too!

Multi Use Games Areas, how do they get built?

First of all, we talk with the school we’re working with until the cows come home. We really get to know each and every individual customer; their needs, their ideas and their goals. Then we get our top notch, high-experience CAD designers on the job to draw up some blue prints. If the school likes what they see, we get to making it. If not, we talk some more.

What is a MUGA Surface?

A Multi-Use Games Area, or MUGA as it is more commonly known, offers a versatile outdoor space which is suitable for numerous sports. 

These facilities are typically best suited to organisations that have a number of people wishing to train or play together at the same time - examples of these include schools, district councils/local authorities and sports clubs. 

A MUGA is built in a way which allows them to be used for multiple sports, without causing too much damage to the surface when different events are taking place at the same time. 

The act of installing synthetic MUGA surfaces has become increasingly popular in recent years due to their range of benefits: 

- They provide a consistent playing surface that allows for safe training and match play. 

- All our MUGA surfaces are suitable for numerous sports, allowing you to run several activities at once without causing any damage to the surface. 

- We offer full maintenance packages which include repairs as well as general upkeep of your synthetic pitch at an affordable rate.

- Our MUGA surfacing & 3G turf pitches are especially versatile, which allow you to play several sports on it at once.

Muga Surface

How much do our MUGA pitch costs?

If you are interested in having a 3G MUGA installed for your facility or club, then make sure to take a look at our synthetic football pitch costs. We can help you with any artificial sports pitch, no matter what your budget is, don't hesitate to get in touch with us today!

Pitch Builder

We also have a really handy tool to help schools get to grips with their MUGA. Our pitch builder let’s you build your own virtual pitch from your own home (or school!). Go through the different steps, then submit your masterpiece and we’ll get in touch with you.

We hope this blog post has cleared up the mystery of the MUGA. If you’re interested in talking more MUGA stuff - we’d love to hear from you!

What is a MUGA Construction?


MUGA surfaces are built with multiple activities in mind, so they can be used by different teams or players without causing too much damage to the surface. Sports turf construction is one example of these multifunctional pitches, which allow fields to play more than one sport at once.

Multi Use Games Areas are becoming an increasingly popular choice in UK schools, local authorities and sports clubs. Our customers have three choices when it comes to selecting the right MUGA surface for their facility: 

1. Rubber Crumb - Made from recycled rubber tyres, this is a cost-effective solution that produces a consistent playing surface. Rubber crumb infill is the most popular and versatile of all artificial sports surfaces, having a consistency in performance and feel throughout the range.

2. Silica Sand - A great choice for customers looking for a slightly firmer playing surface, while still offering outstanding shock absorption. The sand version also provides more grip on our 3G Synthetic Grass. 

3. Rubber Infill - This solution is for the customer who requires the ultimate in shock-absorption and consistency of performance, while also having a surface with exceptional ball roll qualities.

If you are looking to purchase a MUGA sports pitch through Synthetic Turf Management, then contact us today to book your FREE site inspection and quotation. 


Multi Use Games Area - What are the Benefits?


  1. Multi-use games areas (MUGAs) provide a range of benefits for the local community, including increased physical activity, community engagement, and health benefits.
  2. A MUGA sports facility is ideal for those looking to increase physical activity, as it provides a safe, secure and accessible location for a range of activities.
  3. MUGAs can also bring local communities together, allowing them to engage and interact with one another in a safe, comfortable environment.
  4. In addition, MUGAs provide a range of health benefits, as they can increase cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as muscle strength and endurance.
  5. By aiming to make MUGAs affordable and accessible to everyone, we aim to help ensure that everyone can benefit from the range of physical, social and health benefits they provide.
  6. At STM, we are committed to providing the highest quality MUGAs to the local community, while keeping them affordable and accessible to everyone. For further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Increased Physical Activity With Multi Use Games Areas

Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) provide the perfect opportunity to increase physical activity.

Sporting activities and sports facilities such as leisure centres, parks and MUGAs (both commercial and for schools or colleges) are proven to help reduce depression and anxiety, while promoting an overall sense of wellbeing.

The versatility of a MUGA allows people of all ages to enjoy a variety of disciplines, from football to netball or basketball; this helps encourage more physical activity for those who have limited access to recreational areas.

Furthermore, with the use of sophisticated equipment – including floodlights for evening sporting activities – these multi-use games areas can be used all year round in any weather conditions.

This ensures that MUGA's are up to requirements and can be used regularly, day and night through summer and winter. 

By providing safe and secure play areas equipped with high quality surfaces, our MUGA contractors can ensure their community is able to safely participate in physical activities regardless of age or ability level.

In doing so, we aim to create a lasting legacy that will benefit generations by creating healthier lifestyles through increased physical activity.

MUGA's Health Benefits

The health benefits associated with the installation of multi-use games areas are numerous.

Studies have shown that regular physical exercise is linked to a reduction in risk factors for chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Moreover, access to a type of outdoor sports facility can help promote positive mental wellbeing through increased endorphin levels, which reduce stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, providing these facilities will also aid in creating more cohesive communities by bringing people together from all walks of life who may not usually interact on a daily basis.

By offering engaging activities within an educational environment, MUGAs can be used as powerful tools for teaching children about teamwork and social interaction while still encouraging physical activity at all ages.

No matter what your requirements are, STM offers MUGA services across the UK. We can help design your perfect multi-use games area so you have all the features included that you require. Call us today for your free quote or using our contact form and we will get back in touch as soon as possible. 

Give us a call on 01642 713555

Pitchbuilder

We understand the design and construction of your pitch/court is vital. We can help you optimise your space with an extensive array of options for size, colour, markings, fencing & lighting and gate positions. We’ll guide you through the process of designing your turf, so that you can visualise your pitch/court before its construction. 

Try our free pitch builder, or give us a call to talk to one of our experts.