Celtic and Premier League trio confirmed for SuperCupNI 2026

Celtic will be hoping they can go one better at the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI after the Scottish giants confirmed they will be returning to Northern Ireland for this summer's tournament.

The long-time competition supporters fell at the semi-final stage last year as Co Armagh set up an all-county affair in the Boys' Junior Section with Co Antrim coming out on top in the showpiece final.

Joining the Parkhead outfit will be the Premier League trio of Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.

The Hammers, who won the Junior Section back in 2024, lost out to Co. Londonderry in last year's vase final while Spurs finished 8th after making their Junior section debut.

There will be a new face at this year's tournament as Danish side Helsingor make their tournament debut in the Boys' Junior Section.

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Regular visitors Blackburn Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle return once again along with American side Chicago City, who made their tournament debut last summer.

League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic also return for a third year after recording two top four finishes in their previous two visits.

The six Northern Ireland County teams - Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone - will be looking to make their mark on this year’s tournament, with their reputations continuing to rise.

County Antrim continue to be the only County side to have lifted the Junior section trophy winning it for a second time last year while also having reached the final again in 2023.

Meanwhile, last summer's runners-up County Armagh and County Down, runners-up in 2024, will be aiming to go one better this year's tournament.

Maiden City 2013s players, Seth Mullan, Caoimhin Moore, Dylan Loughery and Rudi Logue, are pictured on Downhill Beach with Mussenden Temple in the background as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms its 2026 Boys’ Junior Section line-up, headlined by Premier League clubs Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, alongside Celtic.

James McKeague, Managing Director of Creagh Concrete, said: "It's another fantastic line-up announced for the Boys' Junior Section with some mouthwatering games in prospect this summer.

"It's fantastic to see the big names of Celtic, Leeds United, Spurs and West Ham all returning once again as it shows the high esteem the Budget Energy SuperCupNI continues to be held in by teams around the world.

"They will face a real fight to get their hands on the trophy though as the County sides continue to impress with Co Antrim coming out on top once again last year. The stage is set for a thrilling week of blockbuster clashes and world-class youth football and we can’t wait for it all to kick off.”

Now entering its 43rd year, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI remains one of the world’s premier youth football competitions. The 2026 tournament will take place from Sunday 26th to Friday 31st July, welcoming over 60 Boys’ and Girls’ teams from across the globe.

More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, with fixtures hosted 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: "It's great to have the continued support of some of the biggest names in the English and Scottish game yet again.

"It says a lot about the pull of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI that clubs like Celtic, Leeds, Spurs and West Ham continue to return year after year.

"It's also fantastic to see a new name in Helsingor from Denmark make their tournament debut and hopefully they will return home having made some fantastic memories.

"After last year's thrilling final, which saw Co Antrim narrow edge out Co Armagh, we are expecting another strong showing from the County teams.

"It has all the makings of another memorable year of action at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI."

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, Clearer Water, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.tv and BuyTicketApp.

For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com.