Chris Brunt opens 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI as thousands gather for start of international tournament

Chris Brunt and Karl Bradley from Budget Energy pictured with Victor Leonard from Budget Energy SuperCupNI. (Image: Stephen Hamilton / Presseye)

Former Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt officially launched the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI on Sunday evening as thousands of players, families and supporters gathered in Coleraine ahead of six days of international youth football across Northern Ireland.

The former West Bromwich Albion captain led the traditional Welcome Parade through the town before declaring the 43rd edition of the tournament officially open at Coleraine Showgrounds, where more than 5,000 players, coaches, officials and supporters came together before the opening fixtures on Monday.

Running until Friday 31 July, this year’s tournament will see more than 1,200 young footballers compete in over 150 matches across Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim, and Antrim and Newtownabbey.

More than 55,000 spectators are expected to attend during the week as 64 boys’ and girls’ teams from the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa battle for honours.

A tournament with global reach

Libby Ledoux, Surf Select, Rachael Kerr, Crusaders and Arturo Abimeri ,Tigres UANL and Malick Ibrahim, Right to Dream. (Image: Stephen Hamilton / Presseye)

Among this year’s competing clubs are Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, Celtic, Southampton, Sunderland, Leeds United and West Ham United, alongside teams from Mexico, Japan, Denmark, the United States, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.

The girls’ competition also features a strong line-up including Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Shamrock Rovers, Kilmarnock and Northern Ireland.

The girls’ finals will take place at Dixon Park, Ballyclare, on Thursday 30 July, with the boys’ finals scheduled for Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 31 July.

A special return for Brunt

Brunt’s connection with the tournament stretches back more than 20 years after representing Northern Ireland in the Elite Section in 2003 alongside future internationals Steven Davis, Michael McGovern, Dean Shiels and Sammy Clingan.

That same tournament also featured a Brazil side including future Manchester City captain Fernandinho, highlighting the calibre of talent the competition has attracted over the years.

Players from Surf Select take in the atmosphere during the Welcome Parade and Opening Ceremony as tournament week gets underway. (Image: Stephen Hamilton / Presseye)

Brunt went on to progress through Middlesbrough’s academy before establishing himself at Sheffield Wednesday and then enjoying a distinguished 13-year career with West Bromwich Albion, where he made more than 420 appearances and captained the club in the Premier League.

He also earned 65 senior caps for Northern Ireland and helped Michael O’Neill’s side qualify for UEFA Euro 2016 before retiring in 2021.

Speaking after opening the tournament, Brunt said:

“It was a real privilege to officially open this year’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI and to see another fantastic tournament get underway.

“Representing Northern Ireland in the Elite Section back in 2003 remains one of the highlights of my early career. At the time you’re just focused on playing football, but when you look back you realise how special the experience was and how fortunate you were to be part of a tournament with such a fantastic reputation.

“The quality of teams taking part this week is exceptional and that’s reflected in the number of players who have gone on to enjoy careers at the very highest level. Every player here has the chance to test themselves against outstanding opposition from different countries and different footballing cultures, and that’s something very few youth tournaments can offer.

“Whether these players go on to play professionally or not, they’ll leave this week with memories they’ll keep for the rest of their lives. My advice would be to enjoy every minute, represent your club, county or country with pride and make the most of every opportunity because weeks like this don’t come around very often.”

Tournament organisers look ahead

Players from Surf Select take in the atmosphere during the Welcome Parade and Opening Ceremony as tournament week gets underway. (Image: Stephen Hamilton / Presseye)

Tournament Co-ordinator Sam Gamble said the opening parade remains one of the defining moments of the week, bringing every competing team together before the football begins.

He said Brunt was an ideal choice to officially open the tournament because he had experienced the competition as a player before going on to captain a Premier League club and represent Northern Ireland at the highest level.

Gamble added that while the football is of an exceptionally high standard, the tournament is equally about giving young people the opportunity to represent their club, county or country, experience different cultures and build friendships that last long after the final whistle.

Support for a long-standing sporting event

Ken O’Byrne, Managing Director of Flogas Ireland and Budget Energy, said the Welcome Parade reflected everything that makes the tournament special by bringing together thousands of players, coaches, families and supporters from across Northern Ireland and around the world.

He said Budget Energy was proud to continue supporting an event that has become a fixture in the sporting calendar for generations of families.

For Causeway Coast and Glens, the tournament once again brings international football to venues across the borough while welcoming thousands of visitors to the wider region, continuing the SuperCupNI’s long-standing contribution to sport, tourism and the local economy.

Reader information

The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI runs until Friday 31 July.

The Girls’ Cup Finals take place at Dixon Park, Ballyclare, on Thursday 30 July, while the Boys’ Cup Finals will be held at Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 31 July.

Fixtures, results and tournament information are available at www.supercupni.com.