Elite Global Academies confirmed for 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI boys’ minor section

Clubs from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America will line up alongside Northern Ireland’s leading youth academies and grassroots club this summer, bringing global pedigree to the 43rd edition of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI.

Among the headline entrants is Atlas FC, one of Mexico’s most prestigious clubs. Based in Guadalajara, Atlas is internationally recognised for its academy system, which produced Rafa Márquez, one of Mexico’s greatest-ever players and a former Barcelona captain.

Danish football will be represented at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI for the first time in over 15 years, with HIK Hellerup confirmed as tournament debutants. The Copenhagen-based club are renowned for operating one of Denmark’s most progressive academies.

The United States will once again be represented by Surf Select, long-standing tournament participants. They will be joined by Chicago City, who return following their debut in the Junior Section last summer and now step up to compete in the Boys’ Minor Section.

Blackburn Rovers will fly the flag for the English academy system. The club returned to the tournament in 2024 and went on to finish fourth in the 2025 Boys’ Minor Section after a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Linfield in the semi-finals.

Scotland will be represented by Ross County, who return for a third successive year, and Kilmarnock FC, regular tournament participants and who reached the Semi-Finals of the 2024 Boys’ Minor Section.

From the Middle East, Al Jazira Club of Abu Dhabi return following a successful debut last summer in the Boys’ Minor Section, where they finished runners-up in the Vase competition.

Linfield, Cliftonville, Ballymena United, Glenavon, Portadown, Rosario, Maiden City and Newell Academy will form a strong and competitive local contingent, combining established NIFL clubs with some of the region’s most highly regarded grassroots academies.

Last summer’s Boys’ Minor Section produced one of the standout finals of the 2025 tournament, as Cliftonville edged past Linfield in a high-quality all-Belfast contest at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Sean O’Loughlin, Managing Director at Budget Energy, said: “One of the most compelling aspects of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI is the opportunity it gives local players to test themselves against world-class opposition on home soil, while international teams experience the passion, organisation and competitive standards that define the tournament.

“With the quality of teams already announced, the Minor Section is shaping up to be one of the standout competitions of the 2026 tournament.”

Now entering its 43rd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI remains one of the world’s premier youth football competitions. The 2026 tournament will take place from Sunday to Friday, July 26-31, welcoming over 60 Boys’ and Girls’ teams from across the globe.

More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, with fixtures hosted throughout Causeway Coast and Glens, Antrim and Newtownabbey and Mid and East Antrim.

The Boys’ Section Cup Finals will take place at The Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday, July 31, while the Girls’ Section Cup Finals will be staged at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Thursday, July 30.