The tournament is one of the most celebrated in the world of football.
More than 8,000 players, coaches, and supporters are set to head to Zayed Sports City this weekend as the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup returns for its seventh edition. Now firmly established as the region’s biggest youth football tournament, the record-breaking event promises three days of non-stop action, bringing together close to 250 teams from 18 nations for a celebration of sport, community, and culture.
Since its inception in 2017, the terrific tournament has grown immensely, becoming a must-attend event for young footballers worldwide. On the pitch, spectators can expect an impressive standard of football, with teams travelling from Europe, Africa, and Asia to compete across under-8 to under-16 age groups. Boys and girls will be represented throughout the tournament, with 44 girls’ teams participating this year, including two squads from the Manchester City Academy in the UK.
Beyond the matches, the atmosphere will extend into the Tournament City Village, a dedicated festival-style hub designed to keep families entertained between fixtures. Highlights include the e& Gaming Zone, a Puma pop-up store, and Aldar’s showcase of Fahid Island, alongside a special “City player hunt” taking place across Zayed Sports City.
Fans can also catch a Live Fanzone screening of Manchester City’s FA Cup Third Round tie against Exeter City, kicking off at 7pm UAE time on Saturday, 10 January. DJ Jimmy D will be on hand throughout the weekend to keep energy levels high, while 3v3 UAE will be running sessions that give players the chance to sharpen their skills through 3v3 and 1v1 matches on innovative AirPitches.
For the first time, the tournament will run from Friday to Sunday, expanding to three days. The event will be hosted by Man City’s FG and attended by Manchester City legend and club ambassador Nedum Onuoha.
Simon Hewitt, Head of Football Operations MENA, City Football Group and Tournament Director of Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup, said: “The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is for everyone, and we would love to see as many people as possible join us this weekend. The line-up of teams from across the world is incredible, and we’re expecting a brilliant standard of play – but there is so much more to do and have fun with at the tournament, it really is a great family day out with lots to do and see.”
For those unversed, the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup offers young footballers a platform to showcase their talents. Each year, the tournament winners enter a special prize draw, with one lucky team winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Manchester. This trip includes training at the City Football Academy.
GO: Visit www.mancity.com for more information.