RICHMOND, Va. (June 23, 2026) - Following the unprecedented success of this season's inaugural tournament, the ECNL International Tournament, powered by Coaches' Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, will be back in 2027. For the second year, top performing ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls teams will travel to the United Kingdom to compete against some of Europe's best academy teams at Finch Farm, Everton FC's world-class first-team training facilities.
Next season, the ECNL International Tournament will take place from June 1-4, 2027, with the boys' event taking place June 1-2 and the girls' event taking place June 3-4.
Participants for next season's tournament will be decided by their performance at this summer's upcoming ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls Playoffs - earning their spot in international competition on the field against some of the top professional academies across England and Europe. The ECNL will continue to subsidize the cost of participation for these teams.
The final four teams from the 2026 ECNL Boys U13 Playoffs, held June 25 - July 2 at Surf Sports Park in San Diego, will not only earn qualification to the ECNL Finals in Richmond this July, but will also earn qualification to the 2027 ECNL International Tournament.
Similarly, the semi-finalists of the 2026 ECNL Girls U14 Playoffs, held July 11-17 at 60 Acres Park in Seattle, will also earn qualification to the 2027 ECNL International Tournament.
"This year's tournament was an incredibly valuable experience for both the American and European clubs, with phenomenal competition in every match," said ECNL President Christian Lavers. "We are committed to continue to open international pathways for teams that prove their quality within our league, and to provide American players the opportunity to showcase their quality world-wide."
Just weeks ago, eight ECNL clubs returned from the inaugural ECNL International Tournament, where North Carolina FC clinched the inaugural championship in the boys' tournament and Solar SC were crowned champions in the girls' tournament.
The tournament experience went beyond the competition on the field. Not only were teams given the opportunity to train at Finch Farm, all teams got an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, a host venue for the 2028 European Championship.
Athletes were also given the opportunity to explore the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, two cities defined by rich histories and soccer culture.
The ECNL International Tournament reflects a joint commitment to developing and challenging top players while creating meaningful sporting connections and relationships across countries.
More details, including participating teams, schedules, game times, 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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