Ireland’s largest sportswear manufacturer extends partnership with one of Europe’s largest youth football tournaments
THE Foyle Cup has confirmed that O’Neills Sportswear will continue as Title Partner of one of Europe’s leading youth football tournaments for 2026, extending a highly successful partnership into a seventh consecutive year.
The renewed agreement sees Ireland’s largest sportswear manufacturer continue its long-standing support of one of Europe’s biggest and most respected youth football tournaments as preparations begin for another major summer of football across the North West.
O’Neills first became title partner of the tournament in 2019 and has played an important role in the continued growth and profile of the competition in recent years.
Founded in 1918, O’Neills is the largest sportswear manufacturer on the island of Ireland and one of the country’s most recognisable sporting brands.
The Irish-owned and operated company specialises in the design, manufacture, personalisation and global supply of sportswear, providing teamwear and apparel to clubs, schools and organisations across Ireland, the UK and international markets.
Since being established in 1992, the Foyle Cup has grown into one of the world’s premier youth football events, welcoming elite academies and grassroots clubs from across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America and beyond.
The 2026 tournament will take place from Monday 20th to Saturday 25th July and is expected to welcome more than 1,000 teams and over 20,000 participants to the North West across boys’, girls’ and disability categories from under-8 through to under-19 level.
Crowds in excess of 200,000 spectators are anticipated across the six-day event, with matches taking place at more than 60 venues throughout Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady, Claudy, Greysteel, Coleraine, Dungiven, Castledawson, Inishowen and Donegal.
In 2025, the tournament delivered more than 3,600 fixtures across 57 venues throughout the wider North West region, generating in excess of £10 million for the local economy while creating approximately 18,000 bed nights during tournament week.
John Murphy of O’Neills Sportswear said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the Foyle Cup and remain involved with one of the world’s leading youth football tournaments.
“Over the past number of years, we’ve seen firsthand the scale of the event and the positive impact it continues to have across the North West and the wider football community throughout the island of Ireland.
“The tournament has earned a fantastic reputation internationally for the experience it provides young players, coaches and supporters, while also showcasing the very best of the region each summer.
“At O’Neills, supporting grassroots football and youth sport has always been hugely important to us. The Foyle Cup reflects so many of the values we believe in as a company, including opportunity, community, participation and development, and we’re delighted to continue our support ahead of another exciting tournament in 2026.”
Diolain Ward, Committee Member of the O’Neills Foyle Cup, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with O’Neills ahead of the 2026 tournament.
“Over the past number of years, O’Neills has become an incredibly important partner for the tournament and has shared our ambition to continue growing the Foyle Cup while maintaining the community spirit and welcoming atmosphere that has always been central to the event.
“The tournament has grown significantly since it was first established in 1992 and today welcomes teams and supporters from across the world to the North West each summer. To see more than 1,000 teams and over 20,000 participants taking part across the week is something we are immensely proud of.
“The Foyle Cup is about far more than football. It is about creating opportunities and lifelong memories for young players, while also bringing communities together and delivering a major economic and social impact across the wider region.
“The continued support of O’Neills is hugely important to the ongoing success of the tournament and we are looking forward to working together once again ahead of another fantastic week of football in 2026.”
The 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup is supported by a valued network of partners and sponsors including Derry City & Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, O’Neills Sportswear, Derry Credit Union, Choice Housing, Seagate, Inner City Trust, Brunswick Moviebowl, Ulster University and North West Regional College.
For more information on the O’Neills Foyle Cup visit: www.foylecup.com
