Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2026 to kick off with a expanded schedule
- 07 Apr 2025
Gulf Today, Sports Reporter
The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup will return in 2026 with an exciting expansion to a three-day tournament, following a record-breaking 2025 edition.
In February this year, 180 teams from 31 countries participated in the region’s tournament of choice, held at Zayed Sports City. The tournament has become a must for global teams and with demand already high for 2026, it was decided to expand the tournament further.
A third day will allow more teams to join the amazing event and allow all players more time on the pitch. An enhanced opening ceremony and City Village will add to the overall visitor experience.
Taking place from February 13-15 next year, registrations opened on April 1 with an exceptional response.
Simon Hewitt, Director of Football Operations Mena said: “Every year we ask ourselves how we can evolve the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup, and given the response to the 2025 edition, the only plausible solution was to expand 2026 to three days.
“The demand for places this year was incredible with teams from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe all wanting to be part of the region’s tournament of choice. We want to be able to give as many boys and girls the opportunity to take part and come to Abu Dhabi and are incredibly excited at the prospect of an expanded tournament next year.
“Even though 2026 registrations have only been open a matter of days, we have been inundated with sign-ups and enquiries from across the world. We might be almost eleven months away but the planning is very much underway as we look to deliver another memorable Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup.”
The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup has become a premier international youth tournament since its inception in 2017. The 2025 edition saw over 2,500 players competing in 650 matches, across eight boys and girls age groups including 61 sides from outside the UAE taking part, travelling from as far as Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Russia, France, Belarus and Turkmenistan.