Liverpool and Manchester United will headline one of the strongest line-ups in the history of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI Girls’ Tournament as Antrim and Newtownabbey prepares to welcome the world’s next generation of football stars.
The Borough will once again host the Girls’ Premier and Junior Sections from Monday 27th to Thursday 30th July, with elite academies and representative teams from across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the United States competing across five venues.
Liverpool’s long-awaited tournament debut, alongside the return of Manchester United, Aston Villa, reigning Girls’ Premier champions Shamrock Rovers and Northern Ireland, underlines the remarkable growth of the Girls’ Tournament.
The Girls’ Premier Section promises an outstanding standard of football, with Liverpool drawn alongside Manchester United, Norwegian side IL Heming and American academy Desert Empire in Group A.
Group B is equally competitive, with defending champions Shamrock Rovers set to face Aston Villa, Northern Ireland and Chicago City in what promises to be another fiercely contested group.
In the Girls’ Junior Section, reigning champions Manchester United begin the defence of their title against Glentoran, Linfield and Kilmarnock, while Surf Select from the United States will face Desert Empire Surf, Crusaders and Cliftonville.
One of the standout fixtures of tournament week will see Liverpool take on Manchester United under the lights at Dixon Park, Ballyclare on Tuesday 28th July, in a mouth-watering encounter between two of English football’s biggest names.
Matches will be played across four venues throughout the Borough: Dixon Park, Ballyclare; Chimney Corner, Antrim; Cloyne Crescent, Monkstown and The Diamond, Rathcoole with thousands of supporters expected to enjoy four days of elite international youth football.
Councillor Henry Cushinan, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, said: “We’re delighted to once again welcome the Budget Energy SuperCupNI Girls’ Tournament to Antrim and Newtownabbey.
“It’s a real privilege for our Borough to host some of the biggest names in youth football, and to welcome talented young players from across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the United States to compete here.
“The growth of the Girls’ Tournament over recent years has been fantastic to see. Having clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa playing alongside international representative teams is a brilliant opportunity for local people to watch top-class football and for young girls to see where the game can take them.
“The tournament also brings real benefits to our Borough. It attracts visitors, supports local businesses and showcases our excellent facilities and the warm welcome our communities are known for.
“I wish every player, coach, official and supporter a very enjoyable tournament and hope everyone takes away lasting memories of their time in Antrim and Newtownabbey.”
The tournament will officially begin with the traditional Welcome Parade and Opening Ceremony in Coleraine on Sunday 26th July, before competitive fixtures get underway across all host venues the following morning.
The Girls’ Finals Day will take place at Dixon Park, Ballyclare, on Thursday 30th July, with the Girls’ Junior Cup Final followed by the showpiece Girls’ Premier Cup Final, bringing four days of world-class youth football to an exciting conclusion.
Now in its 43rd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI continues to bring together many of the world’s leading clubs, academies and representative teams, giving young players the opportunity to compete on one of international youth football’s most prestigious stages while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Sam Gamble, Tournament Co-ordinator of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: “This is the strongest line-up we’ve ever had in the Girls’ Tournament and another significant step forward for the competition.
“To welcome Liverpool for the first time, alongside clubs of the calibre of Manchester United and Aston Villa, as well as reigning champions Shamrock Rovers, Northern Ireland and outstanding international opposition, shows just how highly regarded the Budget Energy SuperCupNI has become within elite girls’ football.
“One of the things that makes this tournament so special is bringing together players from different countries and footballing backgrounds to compete against one another. The football is always of an exceptionally high standard, but the friendships, experiences and memories the players take home are just as important.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for its continued support of the Girls’ Tournament. The Council has played a huge part in helping the competition grow, and we’re looking forward to welcoming players, coaches and supporters from around the world for another fantastic week of football.”
The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a valued network of partners including Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, KLIR, IDS Accountants, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.TV and BuyTicketApp.
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com.
