In a move that signals a major shift in how public sports infrastructure is accessed in Punjab, the province’s Sports Board has officially raised the usage fees for its facilities, which will likely impact private users, schools, academies, and event organizers across the province.
According to a newly released notification, hosting a single-day sporting event at a government facility will now cost between Rs 12,500 and Rs 70,000, depending on the venue and nature of the activity. Moreover, renting space for a single match or one-hour session could cost up to Rs 25,000—a sharp jump that may force many in the private sector to reconsider their planned events.
Training sessions haven’t been spared either. Private academies and institutions seeking to conduct coaching camps at public facilities will now be required to pay fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,500, depending on the location and timing.
The fee hikes extend to monthly usage as well. Public sports venues, which were previously accessible at more modest rates, will now cost between Rs 700 and Rs 6,000 per month. The Punjab International Swimming Complex, a flagship facility in Lahore, has seen its monthly subscription climb from Rs 3,500 to as high as Rs 20,000, pricing it further out of reach for casual users and middle-income families.
However, the Punjab Sports Board has clarified that the new fee structure will not apply to national federations, provincial associations, or registered local sports clubs operating at the tehsil level. These entities will continue to enjoy free access to facilities for training, matches, and official camps, which are part of a long-standing policy to support organized sport development at the grassroots and elite levels.
The changes come at a time when access to quality public sports infrastructure is already a concern across Pakistan, especially in urban centers where private options are limited or unaffordable. While the Board’s aim may be to improve revenue generation and facility maintenance, critics argue the revised fee model could further marginalize community sport initiatives and make it harder for emerging athletes from underprivileged backgrounds to access structured environments.
