Foyle Cup

At a glance

The O'Neills Foyle Cup is a youth football tournament that started in 1992 with 8 teams and is held every July in Derry, Northern Ireland.

The 2027 tournament runs for six days from July 26 to 31, and the application deadline is January 31.

The previous edition, the 34th in 2026, had 1,013 teams and 3,942 matches.

Boys' divisions run from U8 to U17 and U19, and girls' divisions from U9 to U17.

More than 60 pitches are used, and the finals are held at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

About the tournament

The O'Neills Foyle Cup is a youth football tournament held over six days every July in Derry, Northern Ireland. It started in 1992 with 8 teams, and grew to 1,013 teams and about 20,000 participants in 2026. Boys U8–U19 and girls U9–U17 play on more than 60 pitches across the north-west, and the tournament opens with a parade through the city.

Details

The O'Neills Foyle Cup is a youth football tournament held over six days every July in Derry, Northern Ireland. It started in 1992 with 8 teams and has grown to its current size. 📅 Schedule · The 2027 tournament runs for six days, from Monday, July 26 to Saturday, July 31. · The application deadline is January 31, 2027. · The previous edition, the 34th in 2026, was held from July 20 to 25. 📍 Venue · Matches are spread across more than 60 pitches. · Venues cover not only Derry but also Strabane, Limavady, Dungiven, Coleraine, County Tyrone and County Donegal in Ireland. · The finals are played at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. ✈️ Airport transfers · City of Derry Airport has direct flights from major UK cities. · For teams coming from abroad, the organizers provide free transfers from the arrival airport to Derry. ⚽ Divisions · Boys 7-a-side mini soccer — U8, U9, U10 · Boys 9-a-side mini soccer — U11, U12 · Boys 11-a-side — U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19 (U13, U14 and U15 are split into Premier and Championship) · Girls 7-a-side — U9, U10, U11 · Girls 9-a-side — U12, U13 · Girls 11-a-side — U14, U15, U17 · There is also a disability football section. 🏆 Teams · The 34th edition in 2026 had 1,013 teams, passing 1,000 teams for the first time, with more than 20,000 players, coaches and officials and 3,942 matches played. · The organizers state that more than 950 teams take part each year. · Teams from Spain, Sweden, Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom take part regularly, and Sheffield United, Celtic FC, Bayern Munich and the Paris Saint-Germain academy are listed among participating teams. · Professional club academies use it for scouting, and it is also an open tournament that any club submitting an application can enter. 🏟 Organization · The tournament opens with a large parade through the city. · Accommodation in 3–4 star hotels starts from £70 per person per night, including meals. · Residences at Ulster University's Magee and Coleraine campuses start from £60 per person, including meals. · Sportswear brand O'Neills is the title sponsor and runs the official merchandise shop.

How to enter

To take part, download the application form from the official website and submit it. The entry fee is paid after approval is confirmed. 1️⃣ Application 1. Download the 2027 application form as a Word or PDF file from the official website foylecup.com. 2. Fill in the division and team details and submit the form by email by January 31, 2027. 3. The organizers will confirm whether the entry is accepted. Do not pay before approval. 4. Once approved, pay the entry fee within 21 days. The entry fee is £175 per team; the 2026 brochure listed £150 for girls' mini soccer (U9–U14). 5. Payment is by bank transfer; cheques should be made payable to Foyle Cup and sent by post. 6. Accommodation starts from £70 per person per night in 3–4 star hotels, and from £60 per person in Ulster University residences, both including meals. 📌 Summary of the registration process · Download the form → submit by January 31 → receive approval → pay £175 within 21 days → book accommodation

At a glance

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About the tournament

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