London has a long history of migration and providing sanctuary, with around one-third of Londoners born outside the UK. The capital continues to welcome people arriving in response to conflict and humanitarian crises, including more than 12,000 asylum seekers accommodated in hotels in 2026, and over 63,000 people who have arrived from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan. Young people are a significant part of this population: between March 2024 and March 2025, 19 percent of people claiming asylum were aged 17 or under, including more than 3 percent who were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Despite London’s extensive support infrastructure, young people from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds continue to face barriers to accessing services and opportunities, including community-based sport.
Through Go! London, the Greater London Authority has established the capital’s largest community and grassroots sport fund, investing £22.5 million to increase participation among children and young people, particularly those facing exclusion. Building on Go! London’s strong community and grassroots sport platform, Go! London x MMC program will be the first dedicated initiative within the fund to focus on young people from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.
