Leeds United return to the tournament for the first time since lifting the Premier Section title and are set to make their Minor Section debut following an impressive EFL Championship-winning campaign that sealed their return to the Premier League.
The Elland Road club famously won the Premier title in 2002, inspired by a standout performance from a young James Milner, who went on to become one of the most decorated players in Premier League history.
The Yorkshire outfit will be joined by Blackburn Rovers, who impressed in last summer’s Junior Section, in what promises to be an ultra-competitive 2025 Minor Section line-up.
The Ewood Park side were among the first to confirm their return - a testament to the growing relationship between the tournament and Rovers’ academy, whose recent alumni include Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Arsenal’s David Raya.
Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman William McCaughey, said:“We are delighted to once again play host to the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, a tournament that continues to go from strength to strength and brings together some of the finest young footballing talent from across the globe.
“The return of world-renowned academies such as Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers, alongside elite teams from Europe, North America, the Middle East and beyond, underlines the tournament’s ever-growing global reputation and its importance to our local sporting calendar.
“As a Council, we are proud to support this prestigious event which delivers not only a world-class sporting spectacle, but also a significant economic and social boost to our Borough. We look forward to welcoming the teams, coaches, families and supporters to Mid & East Antrim for what promises to be another incredible week of world-class youth football.
Crusaders will be out to disrupt Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers’ bid for glory in what promises to be one of the most competitive Boys’ Minor Sections in tournament history. The reigning champions return to defend their title and are aiming to become the first side ever to lift back-to-back Minor Section crowns.
They’ll be joined by 2024 runners-up Linfield, determined to go one better this summer, alongside local challengers Cliftonville, Ballymena United, Coleraine, Glenavon, Loughgall, and debutants Shankill Juniors, who will be looking to make their mark on their tournament debut.
Premiership sides Kilmarnock and Ross County return with renewed ambition as they mount a fresh challenge for Minor Section honours in 2025. They’ll be joined by Surf Select from the United States, aiming to reclaim the title they won in 2023, and IDA Bermuda, once again proudly representing the Caribbean.
Al Jazira Club, one of the UAE’s most prominent professional teams, will make their Budget Energy SuperCupNI debut in 2025. The club is backed by Sheikh Mansour the owner of Manchester City and one of the most influential figures in world football
Victor Leonard, Chairperson of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI said:“Since we established the Minor Section in 2018, we’ve witnessed significant growth year on year in both the standard of competition and the calibre of teams it attracts. In 2025, we’re proud to welcome top academies from England and Scotland, alongside some of the very best youth sides from the UAE, the Caribbean and the USA, all eager to test themselves against Northern Ireland’s finest.
“The Minor Section has quickly become one of the most exciting and competitive elements of the tournament, drawing bigger crowds with every passing year. Last summer, both of our semi-finals sold out which a clear sign of the appetite for elite youth football at this age group.
“I know that Leeds United had representatives at last year’s tournament, and they were incredibly impressed with the overall standard, organisation and experience we provide young footballers. From our conversations, it’s clear they’re looking forward to returning in 2025 and their involvement, alongside Blackburn Rovers, is a powerful endorsement of the platform we’ve built.”
Now in its 42nd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI is recognised as one of the world’s most prestigious international youth football tournaments.The 2025 edition will take place from Sunday 27th July to Friday 1st August, welcoming 62 elite Boys’ and Girls’ teams from around the globe.
More than 1,200 of the world’s brightest young talents will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, showcasing the future stars of the game. Fixtures will be staged at venues across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
The Boys’ Section Cup Finals will be held at The Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 1st August, while the Girls’ Section Cup Finals staged at Dixon Park in Ballyclare on Thursday 31st July.
Ollie Booth, National Account Manager at Clearer Water, said:“As we enter our second year as the official hydration partner of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, we’re incredibly proud to continue supporting one of the world’s most prestigious international youth football tournaments.
“To see elite academies like Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers competing alongside Northern Ireland’s brightest young talent in the Minor Section is exactly why we aligned with this tournament - it represents ambition, inclusion and opportunity, all values that sit at the core of who we are at Clearer Water.
“We’re thrilled to play our part in fuelling the future stars of the game, ensuring that every player, official, and volunteer stays hydrated and healthy throughout what promises to be another unforgettable week of world-class football.”
The 2025 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a strong line-up of valued partners including Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, Clearer Water, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.tv and BuyTicketApp.
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI visit www.supercupni.com.