Dundee’s City Square is getting a weekly pop up football pitch for young people over the summer

A new programme of Friday evening events for young people has launched in Dundee city centre, bringing a boost of activity and support to the heart of the city.

Dundee City Council announced details of the initiative, which will run every Friday evening until 3 October, is a partnership between Dundee City Council’s city centre management team, Street Soccer Scotland, Police Scotland, and local businesses. It is being supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

As part of the programme, Street Soccer Scotland will set up a temporary football pitch in City Square each Friday from 6pm to 9pm, providing a free and accessible way for young people to get involved in sport and social activity.

The sessions aim to offer a safe and engaging space for young people during a time often associated with youth-related disorder.

In addition to the weekly football sessions, six special evenings will feature extra activities, including a pop-up skatepark by Passion Park and a dedicated Youth Café hosted upstairs at McDonald’s.

The café will bring together local agencies and employers to showcase opportunities for young people and offer informal advice and support.

Primark will also be involved on select dates, promoting its beauty range and highlighting job-related opportunities.

The dates with additional programming include:

• Friday 27 June

• Friday 25 July

• Friday 29 August

• Friday 26 September

• Friday 3 October

The final date, 3 October, will also mark the end of the school term, making it one of the key highlights of the summer-long programme.

The initiative builds on the success of last year’s events and reflects a continued effort to engage with young people in a positive, proactive way, while helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

As well as providing recreational opportunities, the project aims to foster stronger relationships between young people, community organisations, businesses, and emergency services.

The programme is seen as a significant contribution to the city’s efforts to create a more inclusive and dynamic environment for young people, while also supporting wider community cohesion and development.