Play on the Pitch at Sevilla FC
The Junior European Cup is held over two days with all matches played on the stadium pitch. No other European tournament offers this incredible experience, with your team playing on a La Liga stadium pitch, your team managers pitchside with the players and your supporters cheering the team on from the stands!
There will be six separate age group tournaments from Under 8 through to Under 13. Each age group tournament will have both group matches and finals matches. Following the group matches, depending on your results, your team will then play in either The Champions Cup Semi-Finals and Finals or The Shield Cup Semi-Finals and Finals.
On Saturday, at the start of the tournament, the players will be greeted by their supporters as they make their way on to the pitch from the players’ tunnel to the sound of the stadium’s match day anthem, accompanied by their team managers. All players will also have their names announced over the stadium PA. During their time at the stadium, the players, team managers and supporters will also have the chance to enjoy a fully guided tour of the stadium, including visiting the home and away changing rooms, the club’s museum and its hugely impressive trophy collection.
At the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday, we will hold the Awards Ceremony, when all players will receive their commemorative medal and tournament certificate. The Winners and Runners Up in both The Champions Cup Finals and The Shield Cup Finals will also receive their Tournament Trophies.
Age Groups
| Age Group | Tournament Format | English FA Age Range | European Age Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2016 – 31 Aug 2017 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2017 |
| Under 9 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2015 – 31 Aug 2016 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2016 |
| Under 10 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2014 – 31 Aug 2015 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2015 |
| Under 11 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2013 – 31 Aug 2014 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2014 |
| Under 12 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2012 – 31 Aug 2013 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2013 |
| Under 13 | 7-a-side | 1 Sept 2011 – 31 Aug 2012 | 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2012 |
European football age groups are organised from 1st January – 31st December, however there is special dispensation for teams from National Associations who employ different age group qualification dates (i.e. from 1st September as per the English FA) that their domestic age levels will be accepted. This means that teams will participate in the age group that they have played during the 2024/2025 season.
In addition if a player plays up 1 year for their team in the regular season, then they are also allowed to play up 1 year in the tournament, for example, an Under 11 player can play in Under 12 tournament if they have played for an Under 12 team in the regular season. Boys and girls are permitted to play together in all age groups. In line with National Association Pilot Schemes, girls are permitted to play 1 age group year down in the tournament.
Tournament Format
The tournament is open to teams of all ability levels. Each age group tournament will consist of 8 teams. Every team in each age group will play one another, providing each team with 7 group matches. Following the 7 group matches, the top 4 teams in each age group league table will progress to The Champions Cup Semi-Finals, while the lower 4 teams will progress to The Shield Cup Semi-Finals.
The winners of the Semi-Finals will then meet in the Final of their competition, while the Semi-Final losers will play off for 3rd place in their respective competition. This format means that every team will play 9 matches. Each group match is 16 minutes in duration and all Finals matches are 20 minutes in duration, meaning that every team will play over two and half hours of tournament football.
Of course, and most excitingly of all, every match is played on the stadium pitch at Sevilla FC!
Tournament Schedule, Rules and Live Results Website
On each day, teams will spend around 5 hours at the stadium. The younger age group (Under 8, Under 9, Under 10) tournaments are planned to take place from approximately 9.30am-2.30pm, with the older age group (Under 11, Under 12, Under 13) tournaments planned to take place from approximately 3-8pm.
All matches are officiated by qualified referees and full tournament management and support is provided by our event staff and Tournament Director. In addition, medical first aid services will be on-site at the stadium throughout the tournament.
The finalised tournament match schedule and rules will be issued 4 weeks prior to the tournament in our Tournament Final Briefing Email. During the tournament, you will then be able to follow the tournament results and your team’s progress through our live tournament fixtures and results website.
