If football had a festival, this would be it. The 2025 Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup wasn’t just a tournament—it was an electrifying, globe-spanning football carnival packed with thrilling matches, top-tier talent, and an unforgettable atmosphere. With over 2,500 players from 22 nations, this was the biggest edition yet, and boy, did it deliver!
A Weekend of Non-Stop Football Action
Picture this: 180 teams, nearly 650 games, and a jaw-dropping 1,521 goals fired into the back of the net over two days at Zayed Sports City. That’s a whole lot of net-rippling magic! From the UK to Indonesia, Ivory Coast to Hong Kong, teams from across the world battled it out for glory. And with categories spanning Under-8s to Under-16s for boys and Under-13s to Under-17s for girls, the pitch was buzzing with young talent eager to make their mark.
Serious Competition, Serious Fun
While the competition was fierce, the vibes stayed positive. This wasn’t just about winning (although, let’s be real, everyone wanted to take home that trophy). It was about playing on a world-class stage, experiencing top-tier organization, and making lifelong memories. From intense clashes to fist bumps between rivals, the spirit of football was alive and kicking.
Dreams Come True!
The stakes were high, but the rewards? Next level. The Al Seeb U14 Boys from Oman hit the jackpot, scoring a dream trip to train at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus and watch a live Premier League match. Not too shabby, right? Meanwhile, GR7 Academy’s Under-12 Plate winners secured an exclusive coaching clinic with Manchester City’s elite coaches—who will travel to Oman just to train them!
Football Stars, Esports, and More
Football fever wasn’t just on the pitch. Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha was in the house, not just shaking hands but also guest coaching the City Football Schools Boys U14 team. Meanwhile, the Tournament Village turned into a full-blown football fiesta with games, entertainment, and activations keeping 6,000+ spectators buzzing. And if that wasn’t enough, fans watched Manchester City crush Newcastle United 4-0 on the big screen, fueled by a hat-trick from their new Egyptian sensation, Omar Marmoush.
Gaming Glory & Trophy Time
For the first time, The Pavilion hosted the e& Gaming Zone, where players swapped real cleats for virtual ones, competing for prizes and testing their FIFA (sorry, FC) skills against Esports superstars Tekkz and Bonanno. And speaking of trophies, this year saw both the E Premier League and Premier League trophies land on UAE soil together—a selfie-worthy moment for every football fanatic.
Bigger and Better Every Year
Simon Hewitt, Director of Football Operations MENA for City Football Group, summed it up perfectly: “Since 2017, this tournament has grown beyond our expectations. The 2025 edition was record-breaking, and with over 60 international teams joining, it’s proof of the event’s global appeal. The level of football was fantastic, but most importantly, seeing thousands of players enjoying themselves was what made it truly special.”
See You in 2026!
So, what’s next? Bigger goals, bigger dreams, and an even bigger Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2026! If you missed out this year, don’t worry—entries for next year’s tournament open soon. Time to start training, because this football fiesta is only getting better!
