The internationally renowned Budget Energy SuperCupNI returns to Causeway Coast and Glens next week, bringing elite youth football and a substantial visitor influx to the borough. From Sunday 26th to Friday 31st July, an estimated 1,200 players representing 64 teams from Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East will compete in the tournament.
Fixtures and venues across the borough
The tournament’s Welcome Parade and Opening Ceremony will take place in Coleraine, with the majority of the Boys’ Section fixtures and the prestigious Boys’ Cup Finals staged at Coleraine Showgrounds. Matches will also be played at community venues across the borough, including:
- Ballymoney
- Bushmills
- Castlerock
- Limavady
- Portstewart
- Portrush
While games are scheduled across all three host council areas, Causeway Coast and Glens will stage more than 100 fixtures and the tournament will deliver around 150 matches in total across the wider event.
Local clubs and participants
Local clubs will be well represented. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council published photographs of the Mayor, Councillor Dawn Huggins, alongside players from local sides due to compete in the Minor Section, including Rohan Roy and Ronan O'Donnell of Maiden City, and Levi Weir and Archie Muir of Ballymena United.
Economic and community impact
The SuperCupNI has been part of the borough’s summer calendar for more than four decades. It routinely generates a marked increase in visitor numbers, with hotels, cafés, restaurants, visitor attractions and other local businesses preparing for one of the busiest weeks of the year. The council says the event creates lasting memories for players, volunteers and supporters and provides a notable boost to the local economy.
"The Budget Energy SuperCupNI has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading youth football tournaments," the council said.
The international dimension—teams from five continents—helps showcase Causeway Coast and Glens to a global audience. For community clubs and volunteers, staging high-profile fixtures at local pitches offers increased exposure and opportunities for local young players to watch and learn from international academies.
Event summary
| Figure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Players | 1,200 |
| Teams | 64 |
| Total matches | 150 |
| Fixtures in borough | 100+ |
Residents and visitors are advised to check local venue information and travel guidance during tournament week as communities across Causeway Coast and Glens prepare to welcome the international competition.
