If you’re a soccer , university or high school coach, parent, or player in the U.S. who wants to do big things, few prospects are as exciting as taking your game and your team to another country. International soccer tours are more than just a chance to play; they are experiences that players will never forget, and that will change them on and off the field. When you book with DB Sports Tours, you get more than just a hotel and match tickets. You get safe, structured, life-changing soccer adventures that open your team up to the world.
Here are our Top 5 youth soccer team destinations & experiences for American teams ready to level up their game abroad.
1. England Soccer Tours London & Manchester (EPL Soccer Tour)
This is where it gets real if your players want to play in the Premier League or to experience soccer culture. With DB Sports Tours, teams participate in the best tournaments, which are feeders for clubs that play in the same league as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Soccer touring in England pushes players in all the right ways. Training sessions are demanding and always delivered by professional academy coaches, the matches test real skill, and every field feels like it has a story behind it.
But there’s more to the trip than just practice. Maybe it’s sharing fish and chips after a long day, snapping a photo on Abbey Road, or standing inside Old Trafford imagining the crowd. And if the timing’s right (August to May), catching a live Premier League or Championship Match is unforgettable. Be like Michigan Rangers FC who experienced Man City vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League or Ballyhoo SC who got the opportunity to see West Ham United vs Bournemouth FC and Stoke City vs Millwall FC.
In London and Manchester, football isn’t just something people watch on weekends; it’s part of who they are. It’s built into daily life. You’ll hear it in the way people talk, see it in the shop windows, and feel it in the pride fans carry for their clubs.
Training at an academy such as Fulham FC, Tottenham Hotspurs, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Tranmere Rovers, Bolton Wanderers or even the home of the English National Team St. Georges Park gives players a glimpse into the day-to-day of the pros. Mornings start early. Afternoons are packed with strategy, film review, and recovery. Even the downtime matters. It’s the kind of structure that shows young athletes what commitment really looks like. It’s focused and intense. There’s no fluff, and for many players, it’s the first time they see just how much consistency and mental strength the path to pro really takes.
But the parts they’ll remember the longest often come off the field. Sitting at dinner after a hard match against local opposition, listening to an older fan talk about decades of loyalty, or trading jokes with a local team you never expected to bond with. Playing and touring in England gives your team more than just better footwork. It gives them a deeper connection to the game itself.
Do not just take our word for it, check out what a parent from Michigan Rangers SC had to say about their experience.
“We had an amazing time! Duncan, our driver, was phenomenal! He went above and beyond and kept us safe and we made it to each destination in a timely manner. Our guide Sam Rix was the icing on the cake! He made sure that the boys were heard and that they were able to experience England and all the things that it offers. The tour kept us very busy and we were able to see a lot of live soccer. The hotels were clean and in great locations. I would have to say all and all it was a fantastic experience and one that will always be remembered. Parent – Michigan Rangers FC trip to England from Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Or if that is not enough, check out our England Team Tour video and hear from our very own Managing Director, David Berber.
2. Spain Soccer Tour – Barcelona & Madrid (La Liga Soccer Tours)
A Spain soccer tour gives your team a real feel for Spanish-style play—sharp, technical, and all about movement and control. They’ll train with La Liga coaches from various clubs like Atletico Madrid (Atleti), FC Barcelona, the Catalan FA and possibly our favourite RCD Espanyol. Each team will get the opportunity to test themselves against top local teams in Madrid and Barcelona. Off the field, they’ll cheer at big matches in La Liga, stroll Barcelona’s colorful streets, explore the UNESCO city of Tarragona and soak up seaside downtime, returning with sharper skills and great stories.
Spain’s football philosophy isn’t just taught, it’s absorbed. Players start seeing the field with more clarity, reading movement, anticipating plays, and learning that creativity matters just as much as discipline. The streets are alive with flamenco, the dinners stretch late into the night, and soccer talk never really stops, both in Spanish and English.
Training with the likes of Atleti, the Catalan Federation and RCD Espanyol also zooms in on the details: tight space control, possession drills, and quick-footed passing that forces smarter decisions. And then there are the little moments: a kid juggling barefoot on the beach, or a coach casually calling the ball “a friend.” It’s those moments that shift how your players think about the game.
Recently a number of teams took the transatlantic flight from the USA to Madrid or Barcelona and immersed themselves in the Spanish footballing culture. Wasatch from SLC, Utah, the UTAH ODP, from Utah, Dothan Shockers from Alabama, Patruno FP from New Jersey and even FC Dallas from Texas have all traveled with DB Sports Tours. Why don’t you be the next team from the USA to explore the Tiki Taka style of soccer. This is what recent groups had to say about their experience.
“We had a great time. Very competitive teams. We met wonderful people from other countries. Delicious food, except missing waffles, and comfortable accommodation. Thank you for these fantastic experiences particularly for the boys!” Coach – DC Soccer Club, trip to Barcelona, Spain from Washington, DC USA
The trip was awesome on basically every front. The resort was great, very accommodating and the transportation service was very good. The food was very good. No real comments at all on improvement. We would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation for the trip and everything associated with it. DBS and Patruno both went above and beyond to provide a great experience. Parent – Patruno FP trip to Barcelona from NJ, USA
If you have time, check out what USA Coaches had to say about Spain while on our Coach Education trip.
3. Portugal Youth Soccer Tour — Lisbon & Porto
Portugal has a way of surprising you. It’s not flashy, but it’s where some of the world’s most technical players get their start. Yes, it is the home to what a lot of people consider the GOAT, Mr Cristiano Ronaldo. During your team’s time in Portugal DB Sports Tours always recommend exploring not just 1 city but multiple locations while travelling with your soccer team to Europe. In Portugal , your team will visit cities like Lisbon and Porto, train at serious facilities like the SL Benfica Campus, FC Porto academy, Sporting Lisbon training ground and SC Braga youth academy as well as have the opportunity to face local sides that play fast, smart, and with quiet confidence. DB Sports Tours builds each day around real development—solid coaching, competitive fixtures, and time with people who know how to shape players from the ground up.
But it’s not all pressure and pace. The trip leaves space to breathe. One morning, you’re working on touch and control; that afternoon, you wander a hillside neighborhood or watch the sun go down over the Douro. There will be a stadium tour, a street performance, a surfing clinic, and possibly a match night at Estádio da Luz, where the noise hits you in the chest.
Coaches in Portugal focus less on drilling the same moves and more on building game sense. Players learn to think on their feet and adapt quickly, a solid intro to the international game. And it’s the small off-field moments that tend to stick. A seafood dinner shared after a tough game. Lunch in the academy of SL Benfica. A chat with a local coach who once played alongside someone famous. A quiet walk back to the hotel along the beach, still thinking about a goal scored an hour earlier. Portugal makes an impression without trying to. That’s its power.
Whether your team comes for a tournament, pre season training camp, during Spring break or Thanksgiving this experience in Portugal should be strongly considered. Below is a review from a coach on his trip with DB Sports Tours.
“Our trip with DB Sports Tours to Lisbon and Porto in Portugal was nothing short of phenomenal. As a coach traveling from the USA, I was blown away by the seamless organization, elite-level soccer, and unforgettable cultural immersion. Our team had the chance to compete in two friendlies against local opposition, including a thrilling 4-4 draw and a dominant 3-1 victory. These matches were perfectly arranged, offering my squad a true test of adaptability against Portuguese-style play.
The off-field experiences were just as valuable. Training sessions with academy coaches in SL Benfica and FC Porto helped our players’ technical and tactical approach to both games we played, while stadium tours and cultural stops (like Belém Tower) added depth to the journey. One of the highlights for the boys was the surf clinic which was new to them as a lot of them had never been on a beach, never mind on a surfboard. DB Sports Tours handled every detail of flights, hotels, transportation, match tickets and additional activities with professionalism, allowing us to focus on development and team bonding. This trip wasn’t just a soccer tour experience, it was a transformative experience that elevated my players’ mindset and skills. I’d recommend it to any team looking to travel, and especially with DB Sports Tours. We are already planning our next tour with them!”
4. Ireland Soccer Tour — Dublin, Belfast & Galway
The Emerald isle isn’t always the obvious choice, but once you’ve experienced an Ireland soccer tour, it feels like the right one. The home of DB Sports Tours, gives teams an insight to both the local and tourist experience. The Irish soccer tour experience has the perfect blend of soccer, culture and sightseeing which is non comparable to any other country in Europe. Competition and Matches are physical and competitive without being cutthroat thanks to the local sport the Gaelic Games (Football and Hurling). Locals welcome you like old friends, and the matches have this mix of intensity and heart that stays with you.
Your team trains with Irish professional coaches, and will have the opportunity to train at the home of Irish Sport which is Sport Ireland with DBS International Soccer Academy Coaches. During your time in Ireland your team will play matches that feel competitive but fair, and your team will have time to actually enjoy the island of Ireland —not just pass through it. One day might be about running drills, the next exploring an old stone castle like Malahide Castle or Howth Castle or kicking around with new friends in Eyre Square in Galway. It’s the kind of trip that builds real team chemistry without trying too hard.
Having the opportunity to experience two counties on one small Ireland is unique in itself, you will be able to explore and learn the culture of the republic and north of Ireland and players will experience how close-knit Irish clubs can be and remember every member of every local club is a volunteer and being able to see the passion and drive of these people will certainly leave memories on not only the players but parents too Post-match meals with local teams become long conversations, laughter, and sometimes even joint training sessions the next day. Ireland makes connecting easy, not just on the field but as people who love the game.
And then there are the moments you didn’t plan for. A walk through the hills or cliffs of Howth before breakfast. Music spilling out of a pub onto the street. An impromptu kickabout with kids in a village square. Your team comes home with more than just photos and videos —they come home feeling different, tighter, more rooted.
Among youth soccer team destinations, Ireland is a fine option.
Hunters from Pennsylvania recently visited the Emerald Isle and this is what they had to say. “It was a great experience!! Loved getting to different cities and locations, Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway, experiencing Gaelic games, Croke Park, Champions League soccer, tours of castles and oldest pub, and the team playing soccer at different clubs and being able to interact with the teams after the game. Loved being able to get a mix of soccer/football and sightseeing in the same trip. Conor and John were wonderful guides all through the trip. Not only were they great tour guides they were great guys to get to know and enjoy the trip with! The hotels were nice. The travel through the country was great. Really enjoyed the entire experience of scenery, culture, and people throughout the entire trip!” Team Manager – Hunters SC trip to Ireland from PA, USA
Or even check out a video from when Florida Celtic visited Ireland, Northern Ireland & Scotland
5. Scotland Tours — Glasgow & Edinburgh
Scotland soccer tours are like football in its most basic form. People don’t just watch the game here; they live it. With famous teams like Celtic and Rangers leading the way, your team will practice on the same fields as both of these clubs at their training ground and youth academy, play at a pace that requires focus, and walk through places where the walls seem to echo with history when your group explore the narrow streets of Edinburgh and the mile walk to Arthur’s seat.
The country itself draws you in, not just the field. One minute you’re visiting a castle near Edinburgh, the next you’re in a backstreet pub in Glasgow listening to live music. There are rolling hills that go on forever, and every place looks like it came from a storybook. It’s the kind of trip that helps you learn new things and see things from a different angle.
Training in Scotland is very focused on teamwork, making quick decisions, and learning how to read the game as it happens. Coaches tell players to think quickly and direct, move with a goal in mind, and talk to each other as a group. There is a reason for every drill, and every game teaches you something new.
The culture around the sport is what really sticks with players. It’s in the air: every game, every talk. Your team will leave with better skills and a greater appreciation for the game’s history.
Take Florida Celtic girls for example, state champions visited Scotland and played a game vs Glasgow City girls and lost 3-1 against the best team in the country, they then trained with both Celtic and Rangers before visiting the wonderful city of Edinburgh and attending a Celtic Champions League Qualifier vs Rosenberg FC from Norway. Memories that will last a lifetime before taking the scenic route to Northern Ireland. Check out what their parents had to say about his time on tour.
Why Choose DB Sports for Youth Soccer Team Destinations
There’s travel—and then there’s soccer travel done right. DB Sports Tours is more than a service provider. We’re with you from the moment you say yes to the moment your team is home with memories and stronger skills. We specialize in soccer tours, soccer tournaments and soccer coach education for all soccer coaches, highschool coaches, university coaches and club coaches, recreational coaches even ODP coaches.
Here’s what makes us different:
- Real Club Access: Not just stadium photo-ops. We’re talking real academy training sessions and real matches.
- Custom Trips: Every trip is built around your team’s goals, level, and age group.
- Designed for U.S. Teams: Everything is planned with American schedules and standards in mind.
- Beyond the Game: Every tour includes exploring, connecting, and enjoying the world beyond the field.
- All the Essentials Handled: From hotels to transport, food, and insurance, everything is organized for you at your soccer team destination of choice
- Match Tickets: Not only a seat at the game but teams will have the opportunity to experience pitch-side on on field activities during the live match experience
Why Youth Soccer Experiences Matter
Something happens when you take a team out of their comfort zone. Confidence builds, perspective shifts. Players grow faster and closer. These trips challenge and reward in a way no domestic tournament ever could. They also give players something college coaches respect—real-world experience, adaptability, and hunger to learn.
And for everyone involved—players, parents, coaches—the moments off the pitch stay with you. Singing on the team bus, seeing famous stadiums for the first time, or feeling pride after a tough match abroad—that’s what you carry with you. We have had parents come to us with happy tears of joy telling us how amazing their experience had been and how they wish they could do it all again.
Final Whistle: Where Will You Go?
Planning a trip like this takes thought. From picking the right destination to ensuring it really means something to your players. But when it’s done right, it sticks. It shifts something in your team like Utah Celtic Coach has said he learned a lot from the coaches and so did his players and now we are national champions,and that’s when you know it matters.
And that’s precisely what DB Sports Tours understands. We know what matters to youth soccer teams because we’ve been organising soccer tours since 2010. That is 25 years of touring, with care, purpose, and the game at heart. Contact Us today.
So where to next? Choose from the best youth soccer team destinations. Will your team walk through England’s legendary stadiums? Soak in the Spanish Tiki Taka rhythm and skill? Learn the balance of grit and grace in Portugal. Find connection and culture in Ireland? Or feel the heartbeat of football in Scotland?
No matter where you go, it won’t just be another tournament tour you attend regularly in the US . It’ll be the trip of a lifetime and one your players remember that made them better athletes, teammates, and people.
