A unique opportunity against the best in Europe
A unique opportunity against the best in Europe
The Riga Cup is much more than just a tournament, it is an opportunity for our players to test themselves against teams and individual players at the top European level. At the same time, develop individually by being part of NF Academy.
Our players create memories that will inspire them for the rest of the season in their club teams at home, says head coach Rodrigo Silva.
Read more about all the Riga Cup 2026 in Latvia
A unique opportunity against the best in Europe
The Riga Cup is much more than just a tournament, it is an opportunity for our players to test themselves against teams and individual players at the top European level. At the same time, develop individually by being part of NF Academy.
Our players create memories that will inspire them for the rest of the season in their club teams at home, says head coach Rodrigo Silva.
Read more about all the Riga Cup 2026 in Latvia
An important tournament
In the Latvian capital, one of the most prestigious winter tournaments in Europe is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Academy teams from Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham, Atalanta, Juventus, FC Midtjylland, Crystal Palace, Porto, Zenit and a number of other of Europe’s best clubs have been represented in the tournament in recent years.
Several of them return year after year to the tournament that has grown over 130 teams large with over 2000 players in place during the Riga Cup.
Our teams will face strong opponents from the Baltic countries and other European cities. These teams are known for their competitiveness, intensity and aggressiveness, which creates the perfect environment for our players to take the next step into a new season, says the head coach about what awaits after the New Year’s rockets have hit the ground.
In the winter of 2026, NF Academy travels east with five teams to the tournament, which has become a regular feature in the schedule.
The Riga Cup is one of the most important tournaments on the calendar. 2026 will be our fourth year in a row with participation, and each year we have improved both our performance and our presence. The level of competition is very high, which makes it a fantastic opportunity for our players to prepare for the upcoming season.
This year we will field five different teams, from U17 down to players born in 2014, giving a wide range of age groups the opportunity to compete, Silva continues.
Looks bright
The Riga Cup is a selection program for players born between 2009 and 2014.
The way into the squad that travels to Riga goes through Team training and the Autumn Training program, which starts up this autumn in several places in Scandinavia.
Here you will train regularly with high quality, and together with players who are all relevant for selection to the squad for the Riga Cup.
This can also be the gateway to the Costa Daurada and Future Cup tournaments in March and April.
Silva is optimistic about the coming football year for NF Academy.
We are very optimistic about 2026. Compared to last year, we are starting preparations earlier, which allows us to fine-tune both planning and player development.
We also see more players returning to our programs, which is a good sign of confidence in what we offer and helps build NF Academy even stronger, says head coach Silva further.
Interested? Get in touch today, and we’ll put you on our priority list and send you more information directly.
Secure your spot before they fill up
Read more about International Programs 2026
Holidays and football adventures
NF Academy is the Portuguese top club Sporting’s extended arm in Scandinavia.
Their experienced scout network keeps a close eye on what is happening at tournaments and programs.
The coaching corps of NF Academy also has its coaching education and experience from many of the largest academies in Portugal, so that the methodology is the same in NF Academy as in, for example, Sporting.
Learning the game by playing it is the common thread.
The Riga Cup 2026 is also more than just player development and facing international opposition. It is also a great holiday destination for the rest of the family.
The Riga Cup is held in an indoor arena with a brand new artificial turf pitch, which is ideal for this time of year and ensures top-quality matches. Off the pitch, both players and parents have fantastic facilities in a city full of history, sights and a bustling life.
We stay at a partner hotel where NF Academy is already well known, and we are always received with great hospitality, says head coach Rodrigo Silva in conclusion.
Read more about Riga Cup 2026
UPCOMING NF ACADEMY EVENTS
NF International Tranining Camps
| Date | Program | Country | Place | Age Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 - 14 Feb 2026 | NF Elite Experience Winter Week 7 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2016 | |||
| 15 - 21 Feb 2026 | NF Elite Experience Winter Week 8 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2016 | |||
| 22 - 28 Feb 2026 | NF Elite Experience Winter Week 9 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2016 | |||
| 06 - 16 Jul 2026 | NF High Performance | Portugal | Rio Maior | 2011-2008 | |||
| 27 Sep - 03 Oct 2026 | NF Elite Experience Fall Week 40 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2017 | |||
| 4 - 10 Oct 2026 | NF Elite Experience Fall Week 41 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2017 | |||
| 11 - 17 Oct 2026 | NF Elite Experience Fall Week 42 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2017 | |||
| 25 - 31 Oct 2026 | NF Elite Experience Fall Week 44 |
Portugal | Lisbon / Estoril | 2011-2017 | |||
NF International Tournaments
| Date | Program | Country | Place | Age Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 - 18 Jan 2026 | NF Selection Riga Cup | Latvia | Riga | 2014 | |||
| 21 - 25 Jan 2026 | NF Selection Riga Cup | Latvia | Riga | 2013 | |||
| 28 Jan - 01 Feb 2026 | NF Selection Riga Cup | Latvia | Riga | 2012 | |||
| 04 - 08 Feb 2026 | NF Selection Riga Cup | Latvia | Riga | 2011 | |||
| 11 - 15 feb 2026 | NF Selection Riga Cup | Latvia | Riga | 2009-2010 | |||
| 28 Mar - 02 Apr 2026 | NF Selection Costa Daurada (BOYS) | Spain | Salou | 2010-2015 | |||
| 28 Mar - 02 Apr 2026 | NF Selection Costa Daurada (GIRLS) | Spain | Salou | 2010-2013 | |||
| 02 - 06 Apr 2026 | NF Selection Future Cup | Sweden | Gothenburg | 2009-2014 | |||
Check the complete Event Calendar here.
CONTACT US TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS
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