Tourism NI renews support for 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI
Continued partnership reinforces tournament’s role in driving tourism, delivering economic impact and showcasing Northern Ireland on the international stage
The Budget Energy SuperCupNI is delighted to announce that Tourism NI has once again confirmed its support for this summer’s tournament, recognising the competition’s significant contribution to the region’s tourism and visitor economy and reinforcing its position as one of Northern Ireland’s flagship international sporting events.
For more than four decades, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI has welcomed thousands of players, coaches, officials, families and supporters to Northern Ireland, generating significant economic benefits for local businesses while giving visitors from across the UK, Ireland and around the world the opportunity to experience everything the region has to offer.
Now entering its 43rd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI remains one of the world’s leading international youth football tournaments, providing one of football’s most respected stages for the next generation of elite talent.
Taking place from Sunday 26th to Friday 31st July, this year’s tournament will welcome 64 Boys’ and Girls’ teams, with more than 1,200 players competing in over 150 fixtures across five age groups.
Among those travelling to Northern Ireland are elite academies including Manchester United, Liverpool, Rangers, Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Sunderland, Leeds United and West Ham United, alongside leading clubs from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, county representative teams and international opposition from across the globe.
The strength of this year’s field once again reflects the tournament’s international standing, bringing together some of the world’s most exciting young footballers for a week of elite competition across Northern Ireland.
Matches will be staged throughout Causeway Coast and Glens, Antrim and Newtownabbey, and Mid and East Antrim, with the Girls’ Section Cup Finals taking place at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Thursday 30th July before the Boys’ Section Cup Finals return to The Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 31st July.
The tournament also delivers significant benefits for Northern Ireland’s economy, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers, visitor attractions and local businesses throughout tournament week.
An independent economic impact assessment commissioned by the event organisers estimated that the 2025 Budget Energy SuperCupNI generated £5.6 million in direct economic benefit for Northern Ireland, underlining the tournament’s importance as both a major sporting event and a key driver of tourism.
The tournament continues to strengthen Northern Ireland’s international reputation, with 26 former Budget Energy SuperCupNI graduates competing at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, further demonstrating its unrivalled ability to identify and develop the next generation of elite football talent.
Siobhan McGuigan, Head of Events at Tourism NI, said: “The Budget Energy SuperCupNI has firmly established itself as one of Northern Ireland’s flagship international sporting events, and Tourism NI is proud to continue supporting a tournament that delivers lasting benefits both on and off the pitch.
“Every summer, it brings thousands of players, coaches, officials, families and supporters to Northern Ireland, generating significant economic impact for local businesses while showcasing our destinations to visitors from across the UK, Ireland and around the world.
“What sets the Budget Energy SuperCupNI apart is that it gives those visitors the opportunity to experience far more than outstanding football. From our spectacular coastline and vibrant towns to our hospitality, attractions and local communities, many participants and supporters discover Northern Ireland for the first time through the tournament.
“The Budget Energy SuperCupNI has become an important part of our international events portfolio, helping raise Northern Ireland’s profile on the global stage while creating memorable experiences that encourage people to return long after the final whistle has been blown.”
Sam Gamble, Tournament Co-ordinator of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Tourism NI for their continued support of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI. Their backing continues to play an important role in the tournament’s growth and helps us deliver an event that has earned an outstanding reputation around the world.
“This summer we’ll once again welcome some of the biggest names in world football, with elite academies travelling to Northern Ireland to compete alongside outstanding representative teams from across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
“The strength of this year’s line-up reflects the reputation the Budget Energy SuperCupNI has built over more than four decades and the consistently high standards teams know they can expect every time they come to Northern Ireland.
“Every year our ambition is to build on that reputation by delivering the very best experience for everyone involved, from the players and coaches to the families, volunteers and supporters who make tournament week so special.
“We’re proud of what the Budget Energy SuperCupNI has become and of the positive impact it continues to have across Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to have Tourism NI alongside us once again and look forward to delivering another exceptional tournament together this summer.”
The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a valued network of partners including Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, KLIR, IDS Accountants, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.TV and BuyTicketApp.
