Why Join us in 2026?
The California Youth Cup is a unique stage where local excellence meets global competition. Each year, the tournament brings together a world-class mix of teams — from elite international academies tied to senior teams competing in La Liga, Serie A, Liga Portugal, the Premier League, and the Campeonato Brasileiro, to top MLS NEXT academies and leading local development programs from across California and the U.S. This blend of high-level opponents creates an unmatched player-development experience, exposing teams to different soccer cultures, advanced playing styles, and meaningful competitive challenges. Coaches gain valuable evaluation opportunities, players are pushed to elevate their game, and clubs strengthen their connections within both the national and international soccer community. Join us for a 2026 edition that continues to raise the bar and inspire the next generation.
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
Boys Ages: U8 – U19Girls Ages: U8 – U14Game Formats: 7v7, 9v9, 11v11❋ Tournament Details:❋ Game Durations:7v7 – 40 minutes9v9 – 50 minutes11v11 – 60 minutes4 Games GuaranteedAll Games Played on Natural GrassThe California Youth Cup offers young athletes far more than high-level competition. It delivers a complete developmental experience rooted in growth, learning, and discovery. On the field, players refine technical skills, expand tactical awareness, and face diverse international playing styles and coaching methods. Off the field, the tournament provides unmatched cultural exposure, connecting athletes with peers from around the world and offering insight into how different countries approach soccer, training, and youth development.
This unique environment fosters personal growth and life skills, including adaptability, communication, discipline, and resilience. Players bond deeply with their teammates, traveling, competing, and growing together, building connections that extend far beyond the tournament. Many leave inspired, motivated, and with a renewed passion for the sport, equipped with a broader perspective of the game and the world around them.
Tournament Registration Fees
To ensure a professional and highly competitive setting for all participating teams, the California Youth Cup 2026 offers tiered registration pricing structured by age group and division. For our Boys brackets, fees range from $1,000 for the foundational U9–U10 developmental divisions up to $2,100 for the highly scouted U13–U16 elite brackets, with the older U17–U18 showcase division set at $1,800. For our Girls brackets, registration is set at $1,000 for U9–U10, $1,200 for U11–U12, and $1,600 for the competitive U13–U14 division. All registration fees are collected securely through GotSport, allowing teams to finalize their entry and secure their place on the pitch for this historic 10th-anniversary global event.
Fee Breakdown
Boys Divisions
Age Group Registration Fee
U9 – U10$1,000
U11 – U12$1,200
U13 – U16$2,100
U17 – U19$1,800
Girls Divisions
Age Group Registration Fee
U9 – U10$1,000
U11 – U12$1,200
U13 – U14$1,600
CYC 2026 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS
Elite Club Lineup: The World’s Best Converge in the Central Valley
The California Youth Cup 2026 is proud to officially welcome an extraordinary lineup of powerhouse international academy partners to this year's landmark 10th-anniversary edition. These world-renowned clubs represent some of the most respected, methodology-driven player development pathways in global football:
Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting CP): Coming from Lisbon, Portugal, this legendary academy is globally revered for producing Ballon d'Or winners and world-class technical masters.
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona: Hailing from Spain, bringing the elite, high-tempo tactical intelligence and cognitive precision of La Liga’s famous youth structures.
Fluminense FC: Traveling from Brazil, a historical powerhouse known for molding iconic, creative talents defined by unparalleled skill and explosive flair.
Club Tijuana (Xolos): Representing Mexico, bringing intense competitive grit and a sharp, high-pressing tactical approach.
These elite institutions provide our participating athletes with an unrivaled, high-stakes opportunity to test their abilities against the definitive global standard.
A Massive Field of Competition
The excitement doesn't stop here. We are currently awaiting final confirmation from additional elite academies across Europe, South America, and Central America, alongside several premier Major League Soccer (MLS) academies. This ensures that the 2026 edition will stand as our most competitive, scouted, and internationally diverse tournament to date.
Join us in Fresno and Clovis, California, as we bring together the next generation of global talent for an unforgettable celebration of the beautiful game.
CYC TEAMS 2024-2025
The Global Standard: Celebrating Two Years of International Excellence
Across the 2024 and 2025 editions, the California Youth Cup transformed into a truly global soccer summit, proudly welcoming elite youth academies from nine different countries. The tournament pitch became a vibrant crossroads of world-class football, featuring the tactical discipline and methodology of giants from Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, and Croatia, alongside the creative flair, passion, and technical mastery of powerhouses from Brazil, Mexico, and Bolivia. Joining forces with top United States clubs, these international academies brought a rich tapestry of playing styles and cultural traditions to the Central Valley. This elite international presence has become the defining hallmark of the California Youth Cup, offering a rare, world-class environment where the future stars of global soccer connect, compete, and elevate the game together.
The National Stage: America’s Finest Talent
The California Youth Cup has quickly established itself as a premier destination for the United States' top-tier youth soccer programs. By drawing elite MLS academies, prestigious club networks, and the most competitive youth teams from across the country, the tournament provides a massive national platform right here in California’s Central Valley. For domestic squads, the event is an invaluable opportunity to showcase American grit, athleticism, and rapidly evolving tactical intelligence on a high-stakes stage. Competing at this level allows local and national players to measure their progress against the absolute best in the country, gaining crucial exposure in front of top scouts while defending their home turf.
Book Your Stay
California Youth Cup 2026 have partnered with TRAVELING TEAMS® to secure discounted room blocks at a variety of tournament approved hotels close to our venues. This is a Stay to Play event. It is required that all teams traveling to this event reserve their hotel accommodations through TRAVELING TEAMS®.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
