From 100 Projects to Every Child

Hissey Playground marks our 100th global sports space project, a major moment of gratitude, celebration, and possibility for everyone involved.

This space serves hundreds of children in Kensington, Philadelphia — a community rich with resilience and identity, where safe places to gather and belong are deeply needed. Local leaders, families, and partners shaped every element of this transformation.

What this community helped build:

Two new 70x150-foot turf soccer fields, giving children year-round access to play.
Resurfaced basketball courts, supported by Project Backboard and JDS Sports' Play With Purpose initiative.
A vibrant mural by artist Odili Donald Odita, celebrating Kensington’s energy and culture.
A safe, inclusive sports hub children can call their own for the first time.

This is more than a project. It’s a promise to the next generation.

What We Do

love.fútbol is a global nonprofit that partners with communities to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable play spaces where children are free to play, and communities come together to thrive.

Since 2006, we've worked alongside local leaders to design, build, and activate 100 community-led projects across 5 continents, transforming underutilized land into hubs for sport, learning, and belonging.

Our model puts local people in the lead; we don’t build for communities, we build with them

Why We Do It

Play is a right, not a privilege.
In many communities around the world, children lack safe and accessible spaces to play, which limits not only their joy but also their development, health, and sense of safety.

We believe that every child deserves:

A place to feel safe and free
A community that celebrates its potential
A future rooted in dignity and opportunity

Play brings people together, builds bridges across differences, and sparks hope and resilience. And when communities unite to create a space for play, something powerful happens: they claim ownership, express identity, and strengthen their collective voice.

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Become a monthly donor: Your $19 monthly donation helps build the future of play

We’ve built 100 safe spaces for play around the world, and our journey is just beginning. Become a monthly donor during our end-of-year campaign and receive the 1∞ commemorative pin, celebrating a legacy that belongs to everyone who believes in the power of play.

2006

Villa Nueva, Guatemala
Where it all began

In a small community of 55 families, the story of love.fútbol was born. Neighbors came together to turn rocky cobblestones into a field and a field into a future.

Years later, the field still thrives. Now a generational pitch where children play.

2017

Badepalya, India
First Project in Asia

Over 300 residents, speaking five languages and practicing four religions, united to build Dharavi’s first community sports hub.

More than a pitch, it became a model for how local leadership sustains long-term impact.

2025

Kensington, PA, USA
100 Safe Spaces to Play

From favelas to cities, communities have brought their right to play to life with love.fútbol by their side.

Hissey Playground marks a new chapter, where design and purpose come together to shape what’s next.

VOICES OF IMPACT

From 100 Projects to Every Child, told by those who made it happen.

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Danita Bates

Community Advocate, Tanner Duckrey, USA

"No matter where you come from, you can still make a difference in that community, from that community."

Otto

Founder of Slum2School in Makoko, Nigeria

"We know that this pitch will promote healthy sports, promote unity and peace building. Together we have achieved this goal."

Karina Souza

Community Leader, Rio Doce, Brazil

"The pitch has contributed to a more active, lively and safe community. New community based businesses have developed and the value of properties in our community have increased, along with our sense of belonging and pride."

Elvis Guzman

School Director, Villa Nueva, Guatemala

"It's more than a pitch – it lifts the community."

Parwez

Rakan's leader, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

"This is the number one place in our community where friendships are built. It's where families feel safe, and where our community grows stronger... it's an investment in our future together."

Emanoel Cosme

Soccer Player, Cidade Estrutural, Brazil

"Many of us have physical limitations, but we still love and can play this game. We didn’t have a fixed place to train. Now, we have our own space, and we can include more players and inspire new generations to never give up on their passions."