Next Generation Trophy heads to Salzburg for 17th round

FC Red Bull Salzburg will host the Next Generation Trophy again this summer, with the 17th round of the renowned U16 youth tournament set to start on Thursday, 20 August, at the Red Bull Football Academy in Liefering, and international teams will compete.

Salzburg’s reputation as a football city was cemented by this year’s UEFA Supercup, and the Mozart city continues to showcase international football throughout the summer.

Global youth clubs gather in Salzburg

Several top clubs are taking part in the U16 competition, including Red‑Bull squads from New York, Bragantino, Saitama (Omiya Ardija), Leipzig and Salzburg itself. From Europe, Manchester City, Juventus Turin, Benfica Lisbon, Ajax Amsterdam and FC Brugge are represented, while Yeelen Olympique arrives from Mali and Academia Alemana de Fútbol Popayan from Colombia.

Format and history of the Next Generation Trophy

The tournament is organised into four groups of three teams each. Each half lasts only 25 minutes with a five‑minute break, and any draw in the knockout phase goes straight to a penalty shoot‑out. Matches run from 20 to 22 August on the grounds of the Red Bull Football Academy, with Fussballdaten present on site.

Defending champions Red Bull Bragantino from Brazil have held the title since 2023. From a German perspective, Werder Bremen’s 2010 victory is notable, having beaten Red Bull Brasil 3‑1 with Niclas Füllkrug scoring twice.

The tournament has become a stage for great talents: former participants include Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres, Bayern midfielder Konrad Laimer and Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai.

Also, several top clubs from around the world will again use the event to display their emerging players, reinforcing the competition’s status as a premier showcase for youth football.