A MUGA surface is a multi-use games area designed to accommodate different sports in the same space. It has become incredibly popular due to the number of benefits it offers. The most obvious benefit is that it can be used all year round, whether rain or shine. This is because the surfaces are typically free draining and won’t hold water which means it can be played on all day, every day. This allows people to play the sports they love all year round, no matter what the weather is like.
MUGAs are usually made of tarmac or polymeric materials and can be made to fit any size of space, ensuring that even small parks or schools can have a high-quality MUGA pitch installed. These pitches can be a single colour or multi-coloured and can also feature different line markings for various sports, so that each sport has its own dedicated space. This helps to prevent people from fighting over the same areas and makes it easier for players to stay safe and avoid injury.
There are five different types of muga surfaces, as categorised by Sport England in their Guide to the Design, Specification and Construction of Multi Use Games Areas. Types 1 to 3 are designed for ball rebound sports including netball, tennis and basketball. They can also be utilised for non-ball sports such as athletics and are suitable for wheelchair sports, as well.
Type 4 MUGA surfacing, which is comprised of a rubber surface, is ideal for hockey and football, as it is able to provide a good level of shock absorbency. This surface is essentially EPDM rubber crumb granules that are bound together and then laid onto a macadam base.
Another popular choice is a type 5A game surface, which is a 2G sand-filled synthetic grass finish. This provides stability and versatility, and can be utilised for hockey, football and tennis. However, it is important to note that this surface does not have the same level of shock absorption as other types of MUGA and may not meet the required requirements for these sports in terms of their governing bodies’ recommendations.
We work closely with clients to ensure that they get the right surface for their needs, taking into account budget restrictions, the sports that will be played and playing qualities. We can help to create a bespoke surface for your MUGA and then add any coloured line markings that are needed for the chosen sports. To find out more about our MUGA services, please feel free to get in touch with us today. One of our expert team will be more than happy to speak with you.