We absolutely love an international football tournament here at Sports Tours -after all, that’s one of the many sports we specialise in where we plan your travel, accommodation, excursions and of course, entry into the tournament!
But what are our top 6 junior football tournaments from across Europe? Take a look at these handful of football events (we’ve even added useful top tips for each one too).
South Easter Open – The Netherlands
Fri 29th Mar – Mon 1st Apr 2024 with packages from £419
Around since 1999 – the South edition takes the meaning of ‘international football tournament’ to a new level – with 600 junior teams from 16 different countries battling it out for the ultimate glory of being crowned tournament champion.
Top Tip: being so close to home means travel options like plane, coach and ferry are available which might reduce your overall cost. Plus, the events in Netherlands are great if you’re a beginner to international football tournaments.
West Easter Open – The Netherlands
Fri 29th Mar – Mon 1st Apr 2024 with packages from £455
Sparked from unbelievable demand from the South Easter Open, the West Easter Open opened it’s doors to junior boys and girls clubs in 2015 and hasn’t looked back! You’ll stay at Centre Parcs too and have at hand all the activity centre has to offer.
Top Tip: You’re located between cities the Hague and Amsterdam – so there’s an enormous amount to see and do when away from the pitch (winner!).
Dutch Soccer Youth Cup – The Netherlands
Fri 24th – Mon 27th May 2024 with packages from £445
You’d think two incredible international football tournaments in the Easter Open would be enough – not for the home of The Oranje – where you’ll also find the Dutch Soccer Youth Cup!
Expect heaps of fun in a feel-good atmosphere where opposing teams can range from iconic footballing countries like Italy, Germany and France – meaning your team will get the chance to mix with different footballing cultures and players.
And if you like to play on grass and artificial pitches – this event has them both.
Top Tip: matches are in the morning or afternoon, so you can take in Rotterdam and a Feyenoord stadium tour too.
Can’t Make the Tournament Date?
We’re super flexible with the dates you go to each tournament location. If you can’t make the tournament date we can tailor-make your football tour to the same location and include matches against local sides.
We can even add days to your tour before the start, or end date, of the tournament or your bespoke dates – whichever works for you.
Barcelona Football Festival – Spain
Fri 24th – Mon 27th May 2024 with packages from £765
Magical things happen when Barcelona and football meet – and it’s no different at the Barcelona Football Festival at the end of May!
Attended by over 100 teams from around the world, this football tournament is perfect for your u8s to u15s. You’ll discover fantastic football facilities – including full-size 4G and grass pitches – at the incredible Futbol Salou sports complex.
Of course, a trip to Barcelona isn’t complete without the Nou Camp stadium tour – so you can slot that in in your free time as well.
Top Tip: the tournament is approved by both the Catalan Football Federation (FFF) and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Guaranteed quality then!
The Costa Daurada Football Cup – Spain
Sun 24th – Thurs 28th Mar 2024 with packages from £835
What do you get when you combine the stunning Spanish coast with a football tournament? Over 200 European junior teams soaking in the sea and the sun in a footballing experience that only seems to grow with each passing year!
The Costa Daurada Football Cup brings boys teams aged from U8 to U19 and girls squads between U11 to U16 – as well as adult ladies teams – all together in one place. Based at the Futbol Salou complex, expect world-class pitches – with 11 endorsed by UEFA and FIFA.
Top Tip: the complex is only an hour or so drive from Barcelona – so it’s super easy to access the city and the Nou Camp stadium tour.
LAOLA Cup – Germany
Mon 29th July – Fri 2nd August 2024 with packages from £619
Welcome to a football tournament spread over four days in sunny July (fingers crossed!) in the iconic German footballing city of Hamburg – where you’ll play at Hamburg SV’s first-rate youth facilities!
There’s boys and girls age groups, teams from all over Europe and the chance to explore the thriving port city of Hamburg with a vast array of things to see and do. There’s the Arriba Water Park, Harbour Boat Tour, Hamburg SV and FC St. Pauli stadium tours and so much more.
Top Tip: Hamburg has an underground which you can easily access 15 minutes from the tournament grounds. From there, it’s around 25 minutes to the city.
2 Bonus Tournaments!
Ok, so we said 6 – but we got this far and thought 2 more football tournament gems wouldn’t hurt.
Check them out!
The Dana Cup – Denmark
Mon 22nd – 27th July 2024 with packages from £625
Each summer, 45 nations, 1,000 teams, 10,000 supporters and around 20,000 players make the pilgrimage to Hjørring in Denmark, where you’ll find the incredible and impressive Dana Cup.
Around since 1982, it’s a staple of the teenage and young adult European football scene and a chance to offer your team a true sense of international football. U11-U19 boys teams and girls teams from U12-U19 are welcome.
Top Tip: Only 40 minutes by car, you’ll find the Fårup Sommerland fun park a short drive away, with it’s roller coaster awarded the ‘Best roller coaster in Europe’ in 2022.
The Gothia Cup – Sweden
Sun 14th – Sat 20th July with packages from £1,019
We’ve saved the biggest and perhaps most international youth football tournament that you can find until the very last one. It’s the Gothia Cup in Sweden – also known as the Youth World Cup.
From the opening ceremony (which is spectacular to say the least) to the Leaders Party, there’s whole host of things to keep you busy, like:
- An onsite food court
- Shop
- Livestream of matches
- Event area full of activities
- 28 pitches
- And the ultimate festival like atmosphere
Every year the youth tournament welcomes around 1700 teams from 80 countries who battle it out on 110 pitches in 4500 matches. I know – it’s a massive tournament for our teams!
Top Tip: Don’t miss the opening ceremony as there’s over 50,000 people packed into the Ullevi stadium for an unforgettable 2-hour show filled with fireworks, music and a presentation of all participating countries.
Ready for Your Unforgettable Football Tournament?
Appetite well and truly whet for a top international football tournament?
Then call us or fill out our short enquiry form and we’ll get in contact with you. And remember, we’re super flexible with the dates you go to each tournament location too. If you can’t make the tournament dates shown above we can tailor-make your football tour to the same location with dates that suit you and include matches against local sides.