There’s something about watching a kid play soccer in another country, it hits differently. Imagine your child lining up for their first match in Europe against international opposition. They start to act differently, scared and nervous, as if this is something completely different from what they’ve been doing. You see it in their face the second they step on the field. The whistle goes and the nerves become bigger, the excitement and the energy all get bigger It’s not just about the scoreline it is about them competing on an international stage at one of Europe’s top soccer tournaments It’s the little things that last with them forever, swapping club pennants , hearing new chants, drums and horns all going off from parents and spectators, figuring things out in a place that feels totally new.
Every summer, families and soccer teams travel to Europe for something more than just another family vacation. It’s now an international soccer tournament or tour experience.
Maybe you’re a coach looking to break out of the usual routine of soccer tournaments in Arizona, Florida, Dallas, or New Jersey. Maybe you’re a parent hoping your kid gets that “wow” moment in Spain, Italy, Portugal or even England. Or perhaps you’re the player dreaming of taking your game somewhere new, we have something for everyone, at all levels, all ages, and in all countries.
We asked our staff to name their TOP 5 Summer Soccer Tournaments that have all the glitz and glam USA and Canadian Soccer Teams need while in Europe and here is what they came up with.
1. Donosti Cup — San Sebastián, Spain
🗓️ 6th to 12th July 2026, • 👥 Ages 9–18+
📍 San Sebastián, Basque Country
Donosti Cup has that mix of great soccer and a location that feels like a dream. You spend the day playing hard, wandering through old streets or grab something to eat by the water. The teams come from everywhere, in 2025, the tournament had 291 clubs who entered 900 teams from over 25 countries.
It’s the little things that stick with not only the players but coaches, parents, spectators, and chaperones and they are the little, beach walks and breaks, late-night laughs, just being there with your soccer team. It doesn’t feel like a trip. It is something you’ll remember for a long time.
DB Sports Tours offer bespoke and customized packages for all our soccer tournaments during the summer vacation period.The fact that these tours and tournaments in Europe are customized before you travel means your soccer team can have an à la Carte tour that includes flights, hotels, transportation, tournament, local tourist attractions and much more so your group can focus on the experience. And there’s a lot to take in.
2. Gothia Cup — Gothenburg, Sweden
🗓️12 to 18 July 2026 • 👥 Ages 11–18
📍 Gothenburg, Sweden
The Youth World Cup for a reason, as the moment you land in Gothenburg you can feel the atmosphere, This tournament, is one of the most popular choices for teams around the world, so much so that they put a cap on the number of teams from USA in order to guarantee you will not play in the group/bracket stage of the tournament against another team from the same country unless you are a local team from Sweden. Held during not only peak vacation time in Europe but also peak tournament soccer time in summer for soccer teams travelling to compete in either pre-season or end-of-season tournaments. The Gothia Cup is regarded as one of the biggest youth soccer tournaments in the world. More than 1,700 teams from over 80 countries. Jerseys and colours everywhere. Chants in different languages. It feels like the World Cup, but for kids.
And then there’s the opening ceremony. Picture a packed stadium. Flags waving. Music shaking the stands. The fireworks go off, the crowd’s loud, lights everywhere, and everyone just takes it in for a second. It’s one of those moments that sticks. Nobody forgets it. Our staff have said it is as good as if not better than the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
And it’s not just about soccer. DB Sports Tours helps all teams do more than just the tournament with accommodation and transport we help with, organising local activities, like pre-tournament training sessions, sightseeing and much more.
3. Norway Cup — Oslo, Norway
🗓️ 25 July to 1st August 2026 • 👥 Ages 6–19
📍 Oslo, Norway
The Norway Cup has a big heart. It’s massive, 2150+ teams from around the world competed in 2025, it is known as the largest youth soccer tournament in the World. 30,000 players big, but somehow still manages to feel personal. You’ve got top-level teams, community clubs, kids from cities, and kids from villages all playing side by side.
The Norway Cup believe soccer is for everyone, Our teams that have attended the event in recent years have all said the same thing, “You can feel it in every game”.
Oslo is calm and easy to enjoy. While the kids play in the soccer tournament, parents slow down, walk the city, sip coffee by the water, and just take it all in. It’s quiet, easy, and a nice break from the action on the field. The games are intense, but everything else feels calm, and that balance just works.
DB Sports Tours help make your experience easy.. Flights? Done. Registration? Sorted. Hotels? Already booked, Transportation? Easy. You just pack your gear and show up ready to play in 2026 Norway Cup next summer.
4. Newcastle International Summer Cup — Newcastle, England
🗓️ 25th and 26th July • 👥 Ages 9–16
📍 Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Newcastle’s passion for soccer is well known. Soccer’s in the air in Newcastle, you feel it the moment you arrive. The tournament pulls in teams from all over Europe, so every game’s a little different, and the competition’s always solid.
The Newcastle International Summer Cup is one of the best soccer tournaments in the UK for any team searching for a pre-season soccer tournament to test their players. Games are fast and physical, the classic English style. The tournament is also aiming to be one of the first in Europe to track player states with new technology allowing players to see the distance they have run during the match, how many touches they had and how many tackles they made. For a lot of American teams, the timing of this tournament is perfect, just before the kids go back to school and linking in with a pre-season friendly match before heading on one final short family vacation to a European City like London, Rome or Paris all just a short flight away.
And since everything’s in English, it’s an easier trip, especially for younger players or anyone going abroad for the first time.
DB Sports Tours can arrange more than just tournament play. Stadium tours, coaching sessions with professional academy coaches, even friendlies with academy teams—Newcastle International Summer Cup is the full experience, not just the games. And trust us,, your players will feel it.
5. Foyle Cup — Derry, Northern Ireland
🗓️ 20th to 25th July 2026, • 👥 Ages 8–19
📍 Derry, Northern Ireland
The Foyle Cup has humble roots. It started as a small local tournament. Now? It’s one of Ireland’s biggest. Over 800 teams. Top academies. Local legends. A bit of everything.
What makes the Foyle Cup special is the people. It’s welcoming, real, and full of heart. Locals care about the game and the kids playing it.
When you’re not on the field, Derry and Donegal give your team plenty to do. It’s full of history, music, and small moments that stick.
We know this one well. Our country, our home, let us show you what we do best and why we do it. We will organise everything for your team, give you time to enjoy the city and local history, and make all your memories both on and off the field.
Why Travel With DB Sports Tours?
DB Sports Tours has been organising and helping teams pull off their European Soccer Tour or Tournament since 2010. We do all the heavy lifting and hard work, the paperwork, the planning, the chaos and we handle it so you don’t have to. You just show up and get ready for something special. Obviously, we work together from the word GO to make sure your experience is most memorable
Planning a European Summer Soccer Tour or Tournament always sounds like fun, until you realize how much is involved. Flights, hotels, meals, transportation, referees, training sessions, pitch hire insurance, tournament rules, sightseeing options, keeping 50+ people happy… It adds up fast. Let us take that hassle away.
We’ve done it all before, Many times. We know how to keep things running smoothly, without wearing out the coaches or the parents. Our online registration and payment system makes it easy to track and pay while constantly communicating with everyone on the trip and giving them updates.
We also understand what families want: a trip that’s safe, simple, and still full of fun. Real competition, yes, but also moments where you just stop and think, “This is something we’ll never forget.” We will strive to ‘Make Your Soccer Dreams A Reality’
Book Your 2026 or even 2027 European Soccer Tour or Summer Soccer Tournaments
These European tour and tournament experiences give players a shot at something they’ll carry for life. And with DB Sports Tours taking care of the hard stuff, the focus stays on the fun, the game, and everything in between.
If taking your team to youth soccer tournaments in Europe has ever crossed your mind, this might be the sign to go for it. There’s a whole world of soccer out there and it’s waiting for you to jump in.
Book a call with one of our specialists today – or email us for more information
