Budget Energy to return as title sponsor for 2026 SuperCupNI youth football tournament

Young Greenisland FC U12 players Zach and Josh are pictured alongside Karl Bradley from Budget Energy and Sam Gamble from the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, joined by Sparky, the Budget Energy mascot, as preparations get underway for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI.

Budget Energy has confirmed it will return as title sponsor of the SuperCupNI for a second consecutive year, marking the official start of preparations for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI following a record-breaking 2025 tournament.

The renewed partnership builds on what organisers described as one of the most memorable editions in the competition’s 42-year history, reinforcing long-term planning for one of the world’s leading youth football tournaments.

Record-breaking 2025 tournament sets the stage

Widely acclaimed as one of the most successful tournaments in SuperCupNI history, the 2025 edition attracted more than 60,000 spectators across 150 high-level matches. Boys’ and girls’ teams competed across five age groups at venues throughout Causeway Coast and Glens, Antrim and Newtownabbey, and Mid and East Antrim.

The tournament also drew international attention, both on and off the pitch. Football figures including Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick were in attendance, alongside current Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill and former internationals Stuart Dallas, Corey Evans, Steve Lomas and Keith Gillespie.

2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI dates confirmed

Now entering its 43rd year, the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI will take place from Sunday 26 July to Friday 31 July 2026, welcoming a minimum of 62 boys’ and girls’ teams from across the globe.

The week will begin with an Opening Ceremony at Coleraine Showgrounds on Sunday 26 July.

Two showcase finals days will conclude the tournament:

• The Girls’ Section Cup Finals will take place at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Thursday 30 July.

• The Boys’ Section Cup Finals will be held at Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 31 July.

The multi-venue format sees matches staged across several council areas, bringing elite youth football directly into local communities and generating significant visitor footfall throughout the week.

Organisers highlight stability and long-term planning

Sam Gamble, Tournament Coordinator at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said:

“The continued support of Budget Energy as title sponsor is hugely important as we move into the next phase of planning for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI. Their commitment gives us the confidence and stability to plan well in advance and to deliver the tournament to the high standards that teams and players expect.

“Preparations for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI are already well underway, and we are looking forward to confirming a number of high-profile team announcements in the coming weeks.

“The Budget Energy SuperCupNI is a complex, multi-venue event delivered across a number of communities, and detailed planning is progressing across operations, logistics and venues to ensure everything is in place for another outstanding edition.

“We are extremely grateful for the commitment of our partners, host councils and volunteers, whose collaboration and dedication are central to delivering the Budget Energy SuperCupNI to the standards expected of one of the world’s leading youth football competitions.”

Budget Energy emphasises community investment

Budget Energy, a Flogas-owned energy provider based in Derry~Londonderry, supplies electricity to more than 93,000 homes, farms and businesses across Northern Ireland.

The company has a track record of supporting elite sport and community initiatives, including partnerships with Derry City Football Club and the Olympic Federation of Ireland, backing Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and supporting Northern Ireland darts player Daryl Gurney.

Sean O’Loughlin, Managing Director at Budget Energy, said:

“We are delighted to be entering our second year as title sponsor of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI and to continue our partnership with a tournament that has such a rich history and an outstanding international reputation.

“Our first year involved exceeded expectations. The quality of football, the standard of organisation and the passion shown by players, volunteers and supporters alike underlined exactly why the Budget Energy SuperCupNI is regarded as one of the world’s leading youth football tournaments.

“For Budget Energy, this partnership is about more than sponsorship. It is about investing in opportunity, supporting young people at a pivotal stage in their development and contributing positively to the communities in which we operate. The Budget Energy SuperCupNI provides an experience that young players simply do not get anywhere else and we are proud to help make that possible.

“With preparations well underway for the 2026 tournament, we are working closely with the organisers, volunteers and local partners to deliver another exceptional week of football that inspires young players, brings communities together and showcases Northern Ireland on an international stage.”

Wide network of partners supporting 2026 tournament

The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is supported by headline partner Budget Energy alongside Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, Clearer Water, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.tv and BuyTicketApp.

Further information about the tournament is available at www.supercupni.com.