Barca Academy Hungary Cup
The Atmosphere and Organization of the Tournament
The Barça Academy Hungary Cup is not just a competition, but a celebration of football. Renowned professionals, former players, Olympic champions, and sports officials also join the events, providing a strong professional background for the tournament. The matches are of high quality, both technically and tactically progressive. The enthusiasm and sportsmanship of the young players give the tournament its unique charm, which the organizers strive to preserve and further develop each year. Individual performances are also recognized with special awards, such as Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, and Top Scorer.
Age Groups and Venue
The cup takes place across four age groups: U8, U9, U10, and U11 (later expanding from U9 to U12), with 16 teams in each group. This means participation from over 60 teams each year, providing hundreds of young players with the opportunity to compete.
The tournament is permanently held at the Szabadkikötő Sports Complex in Csepel, which provides a modern environment for the matches. In addition to top domestic academies, international teams also participate on the fields, allowing the players to compete under excellent conditions.
Quick Access
I. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
The first Barça Academy Hungary Cup was held on 12–13 June in Budapest, at the Kánai Road and THSE sports fields. The aim of the tournament was to create a prestigious international youth competition for the U8–U11 age groups. More than 15 top Hungarian youth teams participated in the event, including representatives from FTC, UTE, Vasas, DVSC, DVTK, Győri ETO, Illés Academy and MOL Fehérvár, as well as the DAC from abroad.
The tournament’s ceremonial opening was attended by, among others, Dr. Barnabás Kovács (former Consul General in Barcelona), Jesús Pizarro (La Liga’s representative in Hungary), Lénárd Borbély (Mayor of Csepel), Balázs Farkas (CEO), and Rubén Morales (Technical Director).
The matches were fast-paced, technically skilled, and full of excitement. The U10 and U11 finals were decided by penalty shootouts, with UTE triumphing over FTC in both cases. In the U9 category, Vasas claimed the gold, while in U8, UTE also took first place.
Special awards were also presented for the Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Top Scorer.
Results:
- U11: 1. UTE, 2. FTC
- U10: 1. UTE, 2. FTC
- U9: 1. Vasas, 2. Illés Akadémia
- U8: 1. UTE, 2. KTE
II. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
27–28 August 2022 marked the second edition of the Barça Academy Hungary international youth tournament at the THSE sports complex, featuring four age groups (2011–2014).
More than twenty teams participated in the event, including seven renowned international clubs: FC Barcelona, Hellas Verona, Austria Wien, Partizan Belgrade, Slovan Bratislava, FC Košice, and DAC.
The Hungarian top division was represented by teams including FTC, MOL Fehérvár, DVTK, Győri ETO, Illés Academy, Debreceni Football Academy, and Újbuda. Participation in the tournament was also earned by FC Ajka, the winner of the Kocsis Cup.
The special feature of the cup was that four different teams became age-group champions:
- U11 (2011): Partizan Belgrade – defeated FTC in the final via penalties
- U10 (2012): Illés Academy – triumphed over Vasas
- U9 (2013): Debreceni Football Academy – defeated DVTK in the final
- U8 (2014): Eger SE – achieved a surprise victory over MOL Fehérvár via penalties
The bronze medalists included Újpest, Barça Academy Hungary, DVTK, and Verona.
III. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
10–11 June 2023 marked the third edition of the Barça Academy Hungary Cup at the THSE sports complex. The tournament was again held at an international level, with four age groups (U8–U11) participating, as in previous years. The prestige of the event was further enhanced by the presence of FC Barcelona, alongside several other top international and domestic teams.
Among the international participants were Partizan Belgrade, Slovan Bratislava, DAC, Austria Wien, FC Košice, Hellas Verona, and, for the first time, NK Lokomotiva Zagreb. The Hungarian top division was represented by FTC, Vasas, Győri ETO, Debreceni Football Academy, DVTK, Illés Academy, MOL Fehérvár, BVSC, and the host Barça Academy Hungary.
During the matches, the teams showcased technical and spectacular football, with several games being decided in extra time or by penalty shootouts. The finals were closely contested once again, and new winners emerged in multiple categories.
Results:
- U11: 1. Partizan Beograd, 2. Debreceni LA
- U10: 1. FC Barcelona, 2. FTC
- U9: 1. DAC, 2. Vasas
- U8: 1. Győri ETO, 2. FTC
Special awards were also presented to recognize individual performances. The prizes were handed out during the tournament’s closing ceremony by Rubén Morales, Technical Director, and Balázs Farkas, CEO.
IV. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
18–19 May 2024 marked the fourth edition of the Barça Academy Hungary Cup, once again held at the THSE sports complex. The tournament took place across four age groups, with a record number of entries: more than thirty teams participated in the event.
The international field grew even stronger, as alongside FC Barcelona, Partizan Belgrade, Austria Wien, DAC, Slovan Bratislava, and FC Košice participated again, with new teams FK Sarajevo and the Italian Bologna FC joining for the first time.
Among the Hungarian clubs, MOL Fehérvár, Debreceni Football Academy, FTC, UTE, DVTK, Illés Academy, Vasas, BVSC, Győri ETO, and, of course, the host Barça Academy Hungary participated.
The level of the tournament continued to rise, with players from FC Barcelona and Partizan Belgrade providing a true football spectacle for the spectators, and several matches showcasing excellent technical skills.
Results:
- U11: 1. FC Barcelona, 2. Partizan Beograd
- U10: 1. DAC, 2. FTC
- U9: 1. Debreceni LA, 2. Győri ETO
- U8: 1. Barça Academy Hungary, 2. DVTK
At the tournament’s closing event, individual awards were presented once again, along with the teams’ Fair Play prizes. The event was concluded by Balázs Farkas, CEO of Barça Academy Hungary, who thanked the participants and partners for their support.
V. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
18–19 May 2024 marked the fourth edition of the Barça Academy Hungary Cup, once again held at the THSE sports complex. The tournament took place across four age groups, with a record number of entries: more than thirty teams participated in the event.
The international field grew even stronger, as alongside FC Barcelona, Partizan Belgrade, Austria Wien, DAC, Slovan Bratislava, and FC Košice participated again, with new teams FK Sarajevo and the Italian Bologna FC joining for the first time.
Among the Hungarian clubs, MOL Fehérvár, Debreceni Football Academy, FTC, UTE, DVTK, Illés Academy, Vasas, BVSC, Győri ETO, and, of course, the host Barça Academy Hungary participated.
The level of the tournament continued to rise, with players from FC Barcelona and Partizan Belgrade providing a true football spectacle for the spectators, and several matches showcasing excellent technical skills.
Results:
- U11: 1. FC Barcelona, 2. Partizan Beograd
- U10: 1. DAC, 2. FTC
- U9: 1. Debreceni LA, 2. Győri ETO
- U8: 1. Barça Academy Hungary, 2. DVTK
At the tournament’s closing event, individual awards were presented once again, along with the teams’ Fair Play prizes. The event was concluded by Balázs Farkas, CEO of Barça Academy Hungary, who thanked the participants and partners for their support.
VI. BARÇA ACADEMY HUNGARY CUP
The sixth, jubilee Barça Academy Hungary Cup will be held in 2026 at the usual venue, the THSE sports complex. The goal is to create the largest and most prestigious event in the tournament’s history, with academies from various countries around the world participating.
The event will serve as a fitting celebration of five years of Barça Academy Hungary, aiming to strengthen international relations, deepen talent development, and support the growth of young footballers.
Building on the experience of previous years, the organizers aim to ensure professional-level execution, high-quality matches, and an excellent environment. In addition to the games, participants can look forward to various accompanying programs, professional presentations, and FC Barcelona-themed experiences.
The tournament is conducted in line with Barça’s motto: “Més que un club” – More than a club.