The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

On the back of the success of The Open, another north west sporting event welcomed thousands on Monday as the annual Foyle Cup youth football tournament officially kicked off.

Almost 1,000 teams from across the world are set to compete in 3,600 matches, all aiming to be crowned champions in their respective age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18, with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards.

As part of the cup around 20,000 players will take part.

Crowds gathered for the tournament’s annual parade which took place through Londonderry.

Leaving the Magee campus of Ulster University shortly after 10am, teams were led by Lislaird Pipe Band and marched around Derry’s city centre before concluding at Guildhall Square.

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today show, tournament organiser Philip Devlin said the event “does the heart good”.

“The work that goes on in the background is immense,” he told the programme.

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

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“We used to have it on the Tuesday but moved it to Monday as we felt it really gears the kids up for the week ahead.

“If you live close to a pitch there will be a game there, there are games everywhere.”

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

The annual Foyle Cup has once again brought thousands of young footballers to the North West as over 950 teams from across the world compete in 3600 matches to be crowned champions in their age groups ranging from U-8 to U-18 with ladies teams once again taking part from U-9 upwards. Picture Martin McKeown. 21.07.25

Matches are set to take place at a number of venues across counties Derry, Donegal and Tyrone.

The tournament will be running until Saturday and organisers have advised anyone attending matches to plan ahead for attending the fixtures due to the likely traffic disruption.