More than 380 young people from across England and Wales headed to St George's Park National Football Centre to take part in the Premier League Kicks Cup national finals.
Premier League Kicks, the Premier League's flagship community programme, celebrated its 20-year anniversary this year. Delivered by clubs across England and Wales, the programme provides free weekly football sessions and positive activities designed to engage and support young people. The Premier League Kicks Cup tournament is one of the competition elements of the programme, bringing together participants to compete and represent their clubs.
Huddersfield Town Foundation took part in the Under-16 mixed tournament for the chance to lift the 2026 Premier League Kicks Cup trophy. Teams were also recognised for demonstrating respect and a positive spirit throughout the tournament, with Fair Play trophies presented by Premier League, EFL and Barclays Women's Super League match officials.
Premier League Foundation Chief Executive Alex White said:
"For more than two decades, Premier League Kicks has played a vital role in opening doors for young people, using the power of football to inspire, support and connect communities across England and Wales. The programme continues to reach hundreds of thousands of participants, providing free, inclusive opportunities in the areas that need them most.
"By creating safe and welcoming environments, Premier League Kicks helps young people build confidence, develop positive relationships and feel a sense of belonging. The Premier League Kicks Cup is a powerful celebration of this impact, bringing young people together to enjoy the game, create lasting friendships and showcase their potential both on and off the pitch."
More than 1,400 participants representing 93 professional football clubs across England and Wales took part in regional qualifying tournaments earlier this year for the chance to play at the Premier League Kicks Cup national finals at St George's Park.
Chris Melotte, HE Mentor at Huddersfield Town Foundation, said:
"We're incredibly proud of all the young people who represented Huddersfield Town Foundation at the Premier League Kicks Cup national finals. The players showed fantastic commitment, teamwork and determination throughout the tournament, while embodying the values of the Foundation both on and off the pitch.
"Beyond the football, the experience gave them the opportunity to meet new people, try new activities and create memories that will stay with them for years to come. It was a privilege to see them represent their community with such pride and maturity, and they should all be very proud of what they achieved."
Delegates from the National Police Chiefs' Council Children and Young Persons Portfolio, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Young Futures Hubs, and the Home Office joined the Premier League and Premier League Foundation at the tournament to explore opportunities to create safer, stronger and more inclusive communities, with football at the heart of that transformation.
Alongside the on-pitch action, the Premier League Kicks Cup national finals offered participants a range of activities designed to support creativity, wellbeing and personal development. These included a DJ workshop, the opportunity to engage with the Youth Voice Board, and a chance to see the iconic Premier League Trophy up close.
Official Premier League partners and licensees, PUMA and Topps, were also on site, providing exclusive activations throughout the day.
To celebrate 20 years of Premier League Kicks, Premier League official ball supplier PUMA gifted every player a pair of football boots, alongside opportunities to win an official Premier League match ball through its PUMA vending machine. There were also opportunities for players to take part in a series of exclusive challenges and giveaways.
Topps, the League's official trading card and sticker licensee, hosted an interactive photo booth, allowing participants to create their own personalised trading card using the official Premier League Topps design. Participants also received an exclusive first look at Topps' new collection ahead of its launch on 6 August, with sample promotional packs for the 2026/27 season available.
Premier League Kicks began in the 2006/07 season in partnership with the Metropolitan Police with the aim of engaging and supporting young people in regular, positive and enjoyable activity, helping to create stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.
Today, clubs work with local police forces across the country to tackle issues affecting young people, with regular sessions taking place in high-need areas. Club charities also provide additional year-round support through the Premier League Kicks programme, including mentoring, life skills and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action projects to aid personal development.
Since it began, more than 600,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions delivered by 93 Premier League, EFL and National League sides. More than one million hours of sessions have been delivered since launch.
To date, the Premier League has invested more than £96 million in Premier League Kicks through the Premier League Foundation, with a further £30 million committed over the next three years.
Visit premierleague.com for more information.