25-03-2024

Blackpool Cup starts this weekend

Blackpool is preparing to welcome over 400 youth football teams and over 12,500 attendees during Easter and May Day bank holiday weekends as they return for Blackpool Cup tournaments.

Blackpool Council and VisitBlackpool will once again host the events in partnership with Euro-Sportring, Europe’s largest international youth football tournament organiser, including games over both weekends at the Common Edge Community Sports Village on the Enterprise Zone.

The tournaments will bring a major boost to the local economy as well as showcasing Blackpool’s credentials as a family-friendly resort, capable of hosting major international sporting events.

Teams are travelling from eight countries across Europe, including Netherlands, France, Poland, Ireland and the four home nations together with more than 70 local teams in which is sure to be an exciting festival of football and fun.

Both weekends kick off with an official opening ceremony at the iconic Blackpool Tower Circus, the first on Friday 29 March, the second on Friday 3 May. Matches will be played over both weekends at the Common Edge Community Sports Village and UCLan Sports Arena.

This year the Blackpool Cup is again supporting the NHS Blue Skies Hospital Funds.

Gavin McIntyre, Euro-Sportring UK Tournaments Director: “The tournaments are continuing to thrive and grow each year and we are very grateful and proud to work with VisitBlackpool and Blackpool Council.  It’s a real international football celebration for the whole family to enjoy.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council added: “We are delighted to welcome so many young footballers and their families and friends to enjoy not just our excellent new sports facilities, but also everything else that Blackpool has to offer away from the pitch. These weekends promise to be a real celebration of fun and football.”

Parking update

As part of the tournament planning, Euro Sportring have arranged a series of plans to support movement around Common Edge Road.

The tournament organisers have arranged a park and ride from Blackpool Airport to Common Edge Sports Village. There is no on site car parking available with the area reserved for coach/buses. Parents/spectators have been informed before the event to use the park and ride.

The tournament organisers have also arranged for no parking cones to be in place around the garden centre to dissuade spectator parking. There will also have marshalls in the area around School Road and Division Lane West.