The prestigious Ibercup tournament will unfold in Madrid, Spain, from April 1 to 4.
The Ibercup is an annual youth football festival hosted across venues in Spain and Portugal. Founded in 2011 by Grupo Batalha Sports, its purpose goes beyond competition: it builds a platform where young players gain priceless on-field experience and where participants learn teamwork, fair play, and cultural exchange through sport.
The event welcomes both boys and girls across multiple age groups, from early youth to older youth, with teams from around the globe taking part. Beyond games, attendees can explore local sights, engage in cultural gatherings, and enjoy a variety of sporting activities designed to enrich the overall experience.
Over the years Ibercup has grown into a highly regarded international stage for young talents who later reach professional careers, with players from many nations using the tournament as a stepping stone in their development.
Since its inception, the Ibercup has drawn participants from nearly 100 countries, creating a truly diverse field and a week packed with competitive play and memorable moments.
Each year, close to 50,000 players compete across men’s and women’s divisions, experiencing intense matches and the chance to test themselves against teams from every continent.
Where and when is it held?
The 2023 edition takes place in Madrid from April 1 to 4, with four confirmed venues: Alcobendas, Las Rozas, San Fernando de Henares, and Boadilla del Monte.
In Alcobendas, matches are staged on four fields:
- Alcobendas
- Las Rozas
- San Fernando de Henares
- Boadilla del Monte
Which categories are offered and which teams participate?
The tournament features both male and female divisions. In the male section there are nine age groups, all competing in 7v7 or 11v11 formats as appropriate:
- Born 2015 – 7v7
- Born 2014 – 7v7
- Born 2013 – 7v7
- Born 2012 – 7v7
- Born 2011 – 7v7
- Born 2010 – 11v11
- Born 2009 – 11v11
- Born 2008 – 11v11
- Born 2007 – 11v11
In the female section there are three age categories, with formats aligned to development needs:
- Born 2011 – 7v7
- Born 2009 – 7v7
- Born 2007 – 11v11
The leading clubs appearing in Madrid for this edition include Villarreal, Atlético de Madrid, Real Sociedad, CD Leganés, Real Valladolid, Cádiz, Sporting CP, Benfica, Porto, PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool, Juventus, and teams from Australia and Brazil.
Over the years, numerous champions have emerged across the categories. Notable winners of the past include Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, Inter Milan, Juventus, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, SL Benfica, FC Porto, Sporting CP, Grêmio, Flamengo, Corinthians, Palmeiras, and River Plate.
Competition schedule
As noted, Ibercup runs from April 1 to April 4, with daily matches structured to maximize competitive play and player development. The schedule highlights are as follows:
Saturday, April 1 — tournament kickoff and group-stage matches
Sunday, April 2 — continued group-stage play
Monday, April 3 — knockout and playoff rounds
Tuesday, April 4 — playoff finals and the awards ceremony, rounding out a week of football and culture.
All pertinent information can be found through official event communications (Go al).