The Budget Energy SuperCupNI has announced a landmark new partnership with pioneering Northern Ireland sports analytics company Taka ahead of the 2026 tournament.
The collaboration will see Taka deliver professionally produced daily highlights and “Best Moments” packages throughout tournament week, capturing standout goals, skills, saves and key moments from across one of the world’s leading international youth football tournaments.
The initiative forms part of a major enhancement of the competition’s digital coverage and player exposure, helping bring supporters closer to the action while increasing visibility for players competing on the global stage.
Powered by footage supplied through tournament broadcast partner 247.tv, the partnership will provide high-quality short-form content designed to engage supporters, clubs, coaches and scouts from across the world throughout tournament week.
Coverage will span the Boys’ Minor (U13), Boys’ Junior (U14), Boys’ Premier (U16) and Girls’ Sections (U14 and U16), with bespoke highlights packages distributed daily across the Budget Energy SuperCupNI’s digital and social media platforms.
Founded in Northern Ireland, Taka has rapidly established itself as one of the most innovative companies operating within the sports analytics and football technology sector.
The company specialises in transforming game footage into powerful performance insights through a unique combination of precise short-form video and advanced data metrics.
Its flagship platform, taka.io, currently supports more than 60,000 athletes, coaches, recruiters and fans, with over 60,000 analysed games and 16million individual highlights generated to date.
Working with leading clubs, academies and sporting organisations across multiple continents, Taka delivers bespoke video and analytics solutions designed to enhance player development, talent identification, coaching feedback and recruitment opportunities at elite youth level.
Following significant growth across North America, including becoming the analysis platform of choice for MLS academies throughout the United States, Taka is now expanding across the UK and Ireland, bringing its industry-leading analysis platform and tagging software to clubs, coaches and players across the game.
Mark Shields, CEO of Taka, said: “As a Northern Ireland company, it’s incredibly special for us to partner with a tournament that has such a rich history and reputation within the game.
“For generations, the Super Cup and before it, the Milk Cup, has provided young players with an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best talent from around the world.
“That focus on giving players a platform to showcase themselves is something that really resonates with us at Taka.
“We’re proud to be involved and excited to help capture the stories, moments and performances that make the tournament so special each year.”
Jamie Mudge, COO of Taka, added: “The quality of players and clubs involved in the Budget Energy SuperCupNI makes it a fantastic competition to work with.
“Throughout the week, we’ll be focused on capturing the moments that supporters love to see, whether that’s a great goal, an individual piece of skill or a memorable team performance.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with the tournament team to deliver content that helps bring those moments to life while giving players even greater visibility on a global stage.”
The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI will once again bring some of the biggest names in world football to Northern Ireland, with elite academies including Manchester United, Liverpool, Rangers, Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Sunderland, Leeds United and West Ham United confirmed to compete this summer.
Now entering its 43rd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI remains one of the world’s premier international youth football tournaments and continues to provide a globally recognised platform for the next generation of elite talent.
Taking place from Sunday 26th to Friday 31st July, the 2026 tournament will welcome more than 60 Boys’ and Girls’ teams from across the globe to Northern Ireland.
More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 fixtures across five age groups, with matches staged throughout Causeway Coast and Glens, Antrim and Newtownabbey, and Mid and East Antrim.
The Boys’ Section Cup Finals will take place at The Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 31st July, while the Girls’ Section Cup Finals will be staged at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Thursday 30th July.
Sam Gamble, Tournament Coordinator at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: “This is an exciting partnership for the tournament and one which reflects the direction modern football content continues to move in.
“Taka’s expertise in short-form video, analytics and digital storytelling will bring a new dimension to our coverage throughout tournament week and further enhance how players, clubs and supporters engage with the competition.
“With so many elite academies and talented young players involved in this year’s tournament, it’s important that we continue to evolve how we showcase the Budget Energy SuperCupNI to audiences around the world.
“As a Northern Ireland company operating successfully on an international stage, Taka is an excellent fit for the tournament and we are looking forward to working closely with them throughout the 2026 competition.”
The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a valued network of partners including Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, KLIR, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.TV and BuyTicketApp.
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com
For more information on Taka email: Jamie@taka.io or visit Taka – Action that matters
