Football Academies in United Kingdom 2026
The best football academies in England for young players in 2026!
Professional football training for promising youngsters
Embarking on a journey to join a prestigious football academy in the UK can significantly elevate your athletic prowess and academic achievements.
Discover how choosing the right football academy in England based on your personal needs and requirements will help you lay the foundation for a promising future in football.
What are football academies in the UK?
Football academies in the United Kingdom are high-performance centers where young footballers between the ages of 10 and 21 receive full-time training with top professionals to achieve their dream of becoming professional footballers.
- Adaptive Training: A personalized plan to bring out each player’s full potential.
- Academic Studies: Different training plans so you can combine your studies while developing as a soccer player.
- Flexible Duration: Programs range from 3 months to several years in length.
- Future Plan: When you’re ready, they’ll arrange tryouts for you to join professional or semi-professional teams where you can begin your career.
Índice
What paths exist to reach professional football?
There are two main paths to reaching professional football. The first, and more complicated, is to be invited directly to trials with professional teams, which is usually reserved for a very small number of players who have already been recognized by scouts and have demonstrated high performance.
The second, more accessible and structured option is to join a high-performance academy, where players can develop technically, physically, and mentally. Once they are ready, they will have the opportunity to try out for professional clubs, significantly increasing their chances of success.
The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of both paths:
Private high-performance academies
Direct access to the youth academy of professional clubs
Access
Personalized training plan
Pressure and demand
Cost
Exposure
Competitions
Long-term development
Types of High Performance Football Academies
In the United Kingdom, there are two types of football schools: boarding schools and football academies. Boarding schools are notable for also accepting younger players and offering excellent educational training. High-performance academies, on the other hand, offer programs for 15-16-year-olds. Although they offer educational programs, they are more specialized in football, and education is merely an add-on. The following table summarizes the differences between these two types of football schools:
Type of academy
Boarding Schools
High Performance Academies
Age
Boarding schools accept children from 10-13 years of age.
Most accept children 16 and older (with some exceptions).
Educational program
Excellent educational programs that are easily transferable to other countries.
Limited or external; may not be the main focus.
Duration
At least one academic year.
Flexible duration, from a few weeks to one or several years.
Price
Higher for the quality of the educational program.
More economical as it does not have such heavy educational programs.
Main focus
Sports and academic development
Sports development
High-performance academies in England
Compare your options
Discover and compare the professional football schools available in the UK below:
Age and gender
Boys from 15 to 22 years old
Location
Reading
Academic options
Secondary education. Sports-oriented vocational training. University studies.
Accommodation
Student residence
Age and level
Advanced or elite level players
Location
London
Academic options
Offers different training options
Accommodation
Fantastic facilities in the city of London
Age and gender
Boys and girls from 14 to 23 years old
Location
Glasgow
Academic options
Secondary education. Sports-oriented vocational training. University studies.
Accommodation
Student residence
Age and gender
Boys from 11 to 19 years old
Location
Market Harborough
Academic options
Secondary education. Sports-oriented vocational training
Accommodation
Student residence
Age and gender
Boys from 12 to 16 years old
Location
Stamford
Academic options
Secondary education. Sports-oriented vocational training
Accommodation
Stamford (Student Residence)
Age and gender
Boys and girls from 16 to 23 years old
Location
Liverpool
Academic options
Professional training studies in the field of football
Accommodation
Penny Lane Hotel. Single or double rooms
Ask Ertheo
Clients who contact Ertheo before booking a camp or program are much more satisfied with their overall experience.
Selection Criteria and Player Profile
Selection Criteria for Access to a Football Academy:
The selection process for entering a football academy in the United Kingdom varies depending on the institution. However, some of the most common criteria include:
Technical Level and Soccer Skills
Physical Condition
Competitive Mindset and Attitude
Previous Experience
This analysis is carried out through a trial, in which the player attends so the academy can examine him. (Most recommended option).
Players who are unable to participate in these football trials can be analyzed remotely. This option does not qualify for any scholarships.
Do you want to take an access test?
Participate in the High Performance Academy Camp program, which allows you to be analyzed by staff from three to six academies while you test out which option best suits your long-term development as a soccer player.
I'm interested
Profile of the Player Who Usually Enters a Football Academy
There are different types of profiles that attend high-performance football academies; here are some of them:
A talented player whose main goal is to take that leap in performance to reach professional or semi-professional football.
An advanced player who uses football as a motivation to study abroad and benefit from the entire experience.
Advanced player who aims to obtain a scholarship to study and compete at a university in the USA.
Location of the Academies
The following map shows the locations of the various high-performance academies we offer in England:
High-performance football academy in England
City: Thringstone
Country: England
West Ham United High-Performance Football Academy
City: London
Country: England
High Performance Academy Scotland
City: Glasgow
Country: Scotland
High Performance Academy Leicester
City: Leicester
Country: England
High-performance football academy in Stamford
City: Stamford
Country: England
Liverpool High Performance Football Academy
City: Liverpool
Country: England
Study opportunities at High Performance Academies in England
Choosing a soccer program that allows you to achieve your sporting goals without sacrificing quality education is possible.
At Ertheo, we have academies that offer different types of educational plans, from boarding schools that offer an academic excellence program that can be easily recognized in your country, to other options with more flexible educational programs.
All academies have different educational plans integrated into their daily schedules so that students can continue their academic training while combining it with high-performance training. Here’s a summary of the educational programs typically offered by high-performance football schools in England:
- Secondary Education (A-Levels)
- BTEC (for students over 16)
- University Education
- English Language Learning Program (ESL)
- Preparation for a university scholarship in the USA
- Etc.
Before enrolling at the academy, the curriculum managers at each academy inform the family of all the options to determine which best suits each student.
What Advantages Do These Programs Offer?
- Balance between Football and Education: Players have the opportunity to develop as athletes and as professionals in other areas.
- Comprehensive Development: The acquisition of transferable skills, such as time management, teamwork, and resilience, is encouraged.
- Future Options: Players have multiple paths available, whether as footballers, university students, or professionals in other sports-related areas.
Prices and Dates
Long-term programs that include educational programs have dates that coincide with the academic calendar. They begin after the summer or at the beginning of the year (in the case of a semester).
Short-term courses or programs that do not include studies have flexible dates.
Below you can see and compare the prices at each academy. These prices are official from the academy; that is, Ertheo does not increase these rates:
Price comparison
| Services and prices | High-performance football academy in England | West Ham United High Performance Football Academy | High Performance Academy Scotland | Leicester High Performance Academy | High-performance football academy in Stamford | Liverpool High Performance Football Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-month program | No | No | 9.500€ | £10,299 | £40,000 | £9,000 |
| 6-month program | 22.000 USD | No | 18.000€ | £19,899 | £27.000 | £17,495 |
| 10-month program | 42.000 USD | - | 24.000€ | £35,000 | £15.000 | £22,000 |
| School / University Education | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Language classes | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO |
| Competitions | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Visa management | ||||||
| Mandatory insurance |
*The price of the 3, 6, or 9-month programs includes the soccer program, accommodation, and meals throughout the stay.
Scholarships
If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship, participate in the High Performance Academy Camp program, where at least three of England’s top academies will be training and testing participants this summer. In addition to qualifying for a scholarship, this program allows you to experience several academies and their training methods firsthand before choosing which academy to train at next season.
Do you want to get a scholarship?
F.A.Q.
How can I attend a football academy in England if I’m not from there?
What if I don’t speak English?
What is a typical day like at the high-performance academy in England?
How can I get into a football academy in England if I’m not from the UK?
The Stamford academy provides the perfect opportunity for young international players who want to have a great experience away from home and maximize their performance on the football field.
A large number of students, such as Hull City player Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, have passed through England’s high-performance academy. Jahraldo-Martin arrived in England from Antigua and Barbuda in 2009 and spent two years at the academy. At the age of 24, he signed a professional contract with Hull City.
How are academic and athletic training combined in football academies?
What level of football does my child need to be admitted?
Do the academies have professional-level facilities and coaches?
What options does my son have if he doesn’t make it to professional football?
Where will my child live while attending the academy?
How is cultural integration and language handled?
How long are the programs and what are the prices?
What opportunities exist to be seen by professional clubs?
What happens if my child is injured during the program?
Can I visit my child during their stay?
How can I know if this is the right academy for my child?
It’s highly recommended to try out the academy by participating in a one- or multi-week course. This is the best way to get to know the staff, academy life, and training methods before attending a longer-term course.
Can I pay in installments?
Booking process for your High Performance Academy in England
Book your high-performance soccer program in just 3 steps
- Complete the registration form below.
- Our team of advisors will contact you to ensure you choose the option that best suits your profile and to answer any questions you may have.
- You begin the chosen admission process (take a trial or access remotely)