A multi-use games area (or, as it is better known in the trade, a MUGA) is exactly what it sounds like—an artificial surface that can be used to play a variety of different sports and activities. They are popular with schools, sports clubs, leisure centres, and local authority parks and grounds, offering a choice of sporting options without the added space and expense that comes with having separate pitches or courts for each activity.
In this article, we will be discussing the various design elements that make up a typical MUGA, as well as the many benefits such an area can offer.
What Are the Different MUGA Surfaces?
Whilst, in theory, there’s nothing stopping you from using any kind of surface for your Multi Use Games Area, in practice there are four main variations that are commonly used:
- 2G MUGA Pitches: these are thin, dense surfaces with a short pile (usually under 24 mm in height), typically filled with sand and needle-punched with synthetic grass.
- 3G MUGA Pitches: these are another type of artificial grass surface, employing a longer pile of 40-65 mm, with a combination of sand and performance infill.
- Tarmacadam Pitches: as the name implies, these are a simple tarmac surface made up of crushed stone aggregate, sand, and tar. They are laid in much the same way as a tarmac drive.
- Polymeric MUGA Pitches: also known as play safety surfaces, these are made using granulated rubber that is bonded to produce a softer surface than tarmac, with shock-absorption qualities.
Advantages of a MUGA
Having a multi-use games area offers many advantages over a traditional grass pitch. These are some of the most important ones, based on extensive feedback from users:
- Effective for Training Sessions: Since MUGAs are significantly smaller than a full pitch or court, they are an ideal venue for training and practice sessions. If you’re running drills with your team, the smaller area makes it easier for them to practice their form while offering enhanced grip.
- Less Maintenance: Not only is a MUGA smaller than a full-size pitch, but the materials used in its composition make it more durable and easier to clean than natural grass or turf.
- All-Weather Solution: Again, thanks to their artificial materials, MUGAs can be played on year-round, whatever the weather. No need to end up knee-deep in mud or twisting an ankle on a grass pitch softened by rain.
- Cost and Space Effective: A MUGA pitch takes up a relatively small space, providing a safe, durable surface for playing a variety of sports at different times. This is a huge saving in terms of available space and offers a tremendous return on investment.
What Size MUGA?
Again, while there are technically no rules that dictate the size of your MUGA, they typically come in two sizes. These are 30m x 20m (suitable for a 5-a-side court) or 60m x 40m (best for a 7-a-side pitch).
Best MUGA Designs
The ideal design for your own MUGA depends largely on the sports you intend to play on it—some work better with artificial grass, for instance, while others benefit from the slight bounce of a polymeric surface. If one sport is likely to be more popular than another, it makes sense to design the area around that particular activity. Your local sports surfacing provider will be able to offer you advice on the best approach for any given combination of sports.
What is a MUGA? Final Thoughts
MUGAs are a valuable addition to any communal sports area, but particularly for schools, colleges, and public parks. They help you to maximise the space available while opening up a variety of sporting opportunities for students or the general public. Since such areas are designed to provide decades of use, it is helpful to consult with a surfacing professional to get the perfect solution for your particular requirements.
MW Supplies is your local team of MUGA installation experts, covering large parts of the South of England. From Maidstone to Bromley, and beyond, we offer a first-rate service for all our clients, whatever their particular MUGA needs might be. Call us on 01622 850085 or email us at sales@mwsuppliesltd.co.uk to see what we can do for you.
