About
The O'Neills Foyle Cup is a highly successful youth soccer tournament held mainly in the City of Derry, but also branches out with matches played in neighbouring counties throughout Northern Ireland.
The festival of football which began in 1992 will see this year's event running from 15-20 July and boasting over 580 teams ranging in ages from 8 to 19. The tournament caters for boys, girls, ladies and sports with disability.
Hailed now as one of the most important and pivotal football events in the island of Ireland, the new 'Six Days Festival of Football' will see teams will travel from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, America and Canada and 2024 will cater for more than 11,500 young soccer players and reach well in excess of over 250,000 spectators.
Now in its 32nd year, the tournament secures support from Tourism NI, Executive Office, Dept for Communities, Derry and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, O'Neills Sport, Seagate, Brunswick SuperBowl, Inner City Trust, Visit Derry and the Derry Credit Union.
Over the course of the 6 day festival, no fewer than 2200 matches will be played. As teams play football for a maximum of 90 minutes each day it will afford visitors the opportunity to explore Derry Walls, Derry Murals, Giant's Causeway, Portrush, Carrick a rede Rope Bridge, American Folk Park, Titanic Quarter and much more.
Indeed, local hotels, hostels, B&Bs and University accommodation experience up to 98% occupancy levels, all on a full-board basis and many outlets report that 'Foyle Cup Week' is one of the busiest weeks of the year, describing the event as truly delivering in terms of the local economy, very much believing it to be the most popular and successful event in the city's calendar.
