Abu Dhabi Cup

At a glance

A youth football tournament founded in 2017 and held over three days every January at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The 2026 tournament had 244 teams and 3,500 players, of which 86 international teams came from 18 countries across 4 continents.

Organized by City Football Schools, Manchester City's youth football organization, and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Visit Abu Dhabi.

Eight divisions are held: boys' B8, B10, B12, B14, B16 and girls' G12, G14, G16; in 2026 the girls' divisions alone had 44 teams.

Division winners are entered into a draw for a trip to a City Football Group club, and City Village runs at the venue.

About the tournament

The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is an international youth football tournament held over three days every January at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was founded in 2017 by Manchester City's City Football Schools; the 2026 tournament had 244 teams and 3,500 players, of which 86 teams came from 18 countries across 4 continents. It runs eight boys' and girls' divisions, and the organizers describe it as the largest youth football tournament in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Details

The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is an international youth football tournament held every January at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 📅 Tournament dates The 2027 tournament runs for three days, from January 8 to 10. The dates have been confirmed on the official website. 📍 Venue Matches are played at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE, this sports complex has a 500-seat showpiece stadium and natural grass pitches for 7-a-side and 11-a-side, and is regarded as one of the main football venues in Abu Dhabi. ⚽ Divisions There are eight divisions: boys' U8, U10, U12, U14 and U16, and girls' U12, U14 and U16. The organizers say all players are welcome regardless of level or gender, so professional academies and local clubs take part together. 🏆 Teams The 2026 tournament had 244 teams and 3,500 players, of which 86 teams came from 18 countries across 4 continents. The 2025 tournament had 183 teams from 31 countries, with more than 2,500 players playing 650 matches. In 2026 the tournament was extended to three days for the first time, and a record 44 teams in the girls' divisions. More than 8,000 spectators attended. Academies from the Gulf region, such as the UAE and Oman, form the core, but teams from Asia, Africa and Oceania also play, including KP5 Soccer (South Africa), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Inter Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Melbourne City (Australia), along with academies of City Football Group clubs. The number of teams for 2027 has not yet been officially announced. 🏟 Organization The tournament was founded in 2017 by City Football Schools, Manchester City's youth football organization; it was paused during COVID-19 and resumed in 2023. It is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Visit Abu Dhabi, Puma and noon, and the organizers describe it as the largest youth football tournament in the Middle East and North Africa region. During the tournament, City Village runs next to the pitches, with partner experience booths and performances. Division winners are entered into a draw for a trip to visit a City Football Group academy; the winning team trains at a professional club's facilities and watches a first-team match. Some Plate winners receive a coaching clinic from City Football Group coaches. The tournament is overseen by the City Football Schools MENA football operations director.

How to enter

Applications are made by submitting team details on the Sign Up page of the official website (mancity.com/football-programs/uae/abu-dhabi-cup-2027). 1. Submit your team details on the Sign Up page of the official website. 2. Any team from inside or outside the UAE can apply; professional academies and local clubs take part together. 3. Places are limited, so the organizers recommend applying early. 4. The entry fee is not published and is communicated individually after you apply. 5. Division winners are entered into a draw for a trip to visit a City Football Group academy. 6. Enquiries: email cityuae@cityfootball.com or phone +971 56 420 5685. 📌 Application steps in brief Enquiry → Online application → Entry fee information → Confirmation

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