A Weekend of Global Sport in Lisbon: Football and Rugby Tournaments Bring Over 1,700 Young Athletes Together
In the context of the Lisbon Autumn Sports Festival, the city of Lisbon was the stage for a major celebration of youth sport this past weekend, as two international tournaments ran side by side in the Portuguese capital: the 7th edition of the Lisbon Football Youth Cup and the debut edition of the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival Autumn Series. Over 1,700 young athletes took part in these two-day events, which showcased not only competition but also the spirit of community and international friendship.
Lisbon Football Youth Cup: A Growing Global Tournament
Now in its seventh year, the Lisbon Football Youth Cup has firmly established itself as a key fixture in the international youth football calendar. This year’s edition brought together more than 1,000 participants, with teams travelling from Finland, Canada, Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Portugal to compete at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa.
Across six football fields, a total of 79 matches were played in five age categories: Boys U11, Boys U13, Boys U16, Girls U17 and Girls U19. From early morning kick-offs to intense finals, every match was a chance for young players to learn, compete and connect.
The winners of each category were:
Boys U11 – C.F. Os Belenenses
Boys U13 – Sporting C.P.
Boys U16 – Academia de Alcoitão
Girls U17 – G.D. Estoril Praia
Girls U19 – Casa Pia A.C.
The Lisbon Football Youth Cup continues to grow in both scale and reputation, offering a platform for clubs from all backgrounds to test their skills and experience international football in a competitive yet welcoming environment.
Portugal Rugby Youth Festival Autumn Series: A Powerful Debut
While football took over the Estádio Universitário, the Tapada da Ajuda was alive with the energy of youth rugby. The first-ever Portugal Rugby Youth Festival Autumn Series drew over 650 participants from Australia, Ireland, the UK and Portugal, and was hosted at Agronomia Rugby Club.
Over the two days, around 48 matches were played across two pitches, with teams competing in the U16 and U18 categories.
In the U16 division, the standout was Iron Armour, a team composed of young athletes from across the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa. Their on-field strength was matched by their cultural presence, as they performed the haka several times throughout the tournament, offering a powerful expression of unity and identity.
In the U18s, the title went to Portuguese club G.D. Direito, whose disciplined performance earned them top honours in a competitive field.
The Autumn Series also featured a coach development initiative in partnership with the Portuguese Rugby Union. As part of the initiative, 12 coaches took part in a dedicated training and education session, combining theoretical input with practical observation throughout the weekend. This initiative highlighted the tournament’s broader purpose, not only supporting youth athletes but also promoting the development of rugby coaches and the future of the sport in Portugal.
A Showcase of Youth, Skill and International Spirit
Having two high-level international youth tournaments running in parallel is no small feat. It speaks to Portugal’s growing reputation as a destination for youth sports events and the capacity of local organisers to deliver memorable experiences both on and off the field.
With players travelling from five continents to compete, Lisbon once again proved itself as a city that welcomes the world, not only for tourism, but for sport, cultural exchange and youth development.
As the final whistles blew on Sunday evening, what remained was not just a list of winners, but hundreds of shared moments, new friendships, and memories that will stay with these young athletes for life.