To celebrate the investment and Dale’s return to the ground for the first home match of 2026, fans will be able to view the Premier League Trophy at the Truro City match this Saturday (24th January, 3pm).
This is a great opportunity to get a rare, close-up look at the famous trophy and to take photos with it before the match kicks off at 3pm. From 12.30-2pm, the trophy will be situated outside The Ratcliffe for supporters to see.
The Premier League Stadium Fund award is a sizeable contribution to the total cost of the project to replace the pitch over the last six weeks. The Premier League Stadium Fund is the largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve stadiums in the National League System, investing £218 million nationwide over the past 25 years.
The fund has approved the grant due to the exceptional circumstances faced by the club in having to rebuild the pitch during the playing season.
Andy Duff, Managing Director of Rochdale FC, commented:
“We are enormously grateful to the Premier League Stadium Fund for awarding this grant, which helps offset a significant amount of the unforeseen costs that we have incurred due to the problems we have had with the pitch and its drainage over the last 12 months.
“I would like to say thank you to all individual members who considered the application, along with the joint efforts of many Rochdale AFC Directors, who have worked hard on the grant application.
“This exceptional award illustrates a joint approach where the Premier League Stadium Fund, funded by the Premier League, can show flexibility and support an ambitious professional club currently playing lower down the football pyramid.
“The new pitch gives us an excellent platform to help the team push for promotion back to the EFL and enables the club to address a long-standing hurdle.”
Clare Sumner, Chair of the Premier League Stadium Fund, said: “The Premier League is proud to support the work to Rochdale’s pitch, helping the club return to action at their home ground. This grant is one of thousands provided to clubs across the country through the Premier League Stadium Fund, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this season.
“Since 2000 we have invested over £218 million to improve facilities in both the men’s and women’s football pyramid for players and fans alike. This vital funding helps clubs across England to become more sustainable and provide more welcoming and accessible environments.”