RICHMOND, Va. (October 8, 2026) - The ECNL is thrilled to return to Finch Farm, Everton FC's legendary training grounds for the second annual ECNL Challenge Cup, powered by The Coaches' Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, taking place June 1-4, 2027.
Four ECNL Boys teams and four ECNL Girls teams will travel to the United Kingdom to compete against some of the top European academies at Everton FC's world-class training facilities. Each of the ECNL teams qualified for the tournament through their performances at the ECNL National Playoffs and Finals during the 2025-26 season.
Florida Kraze Krush, NTH-NASA (GA), SDSC Surf (CA) and XF Academy (WA) will compete in the U14 age group for ECNL Boys, against legendary professional clubs Chelsea FC, Everton Football Club, Leeds United, and Manchester United. In the girls U15 age group, Fairfax VA Union, So Cal Blues, Solar SC (TX) and XF Academy will face off against Everton Football Club, the Welsh National Team, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
"We had an incredible experience at this event last season, and the performances of the American teams raised eyebrows across the world in the group stages and when NCFC Youth Academy and Solar SC each claimed a championship," said ECNL President Christian Lavers. "We are thrilled to be returning to Finch Farm for the second edition of the ECNL Challenge Cup, and to host an event that again matches up some of the top talent in the United States and Europe. Our fantastic partnership with Coaches Voice, and the wonderful support of Everton Football Club, makes this event a lifelong memory for the players."
The ECNL Challenge Cup reflects a joint commitment from all three organizations to developing and challenging top players while creating meaningful sporting connections and relationships across countries.
Along with the high-level soccer on the field, participants will be able to experience the culture of Manchester and Liverpool during their trip. Athletes and families will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of guided tours and activities and dive into the rich histories of each city, creating an unforgettable experience on and off the pitch.
The ECNL Challenge Cup will be led by the elite operations team at Coaches' Voice Tours, whose reputation for excellence in international soccer travel ensures the highest standards and world-class quality. In addition, the ECNL has taken significant steps to ensure the Tournament is affordable for all traveling teams and to help make the dream of international competition a reality.
"The first ECNL Challenge Cup was a fantastic event and we're incredibly proud to be building on that in 2027," said Magnus Alford, Co-Founder of Coaches' Voice. "A huge part of what makes this event so special is the partnership we have developed with ECNL. We share the same ambition to create outstanding opportunities and experiences for young players, and the Challenge Cup is a great example of what that partnership can deliver. Bringing together clubs of this caliber from the United States and Europe is incredibly exciting, but just as important for us is creating an experience for the players, coaches and families that goes far beyond the matches themselves and builds lasting relationships between clubs on both sides of the Atlantic."
More details regarding the ECNL Challenge Cup, including game dates, times, specific opponents and more, will be announced at a later date.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation's leading youth soccer development platform for America's top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
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