An International Youth Football Tournament in Gangwon, South Korea
2026 Gangwon International Youth Football Championship
Date
October 2–5, 2026
Location
Gangwon Province, South Korea
An International Youth Football
Tournament in Gangwon, South Korea
2026 Gangwon International Youth Football Championship
Date October 2–5, 2026
Location Gangwon Province, South Korea
Bringing Global Youth Together Through Sport, Culture & Friendship
Bringing Global Youth Together Through Sport, Culture & Friendship
Tournament Overview
2026 Gangwon Championship
✔ International Standard
Football Venues
✔ Hosted in the Olympic
Legacy Region
Gangwon Province, South Korea
Location
October 2–5, 2026 (4 Days)
Schedule
Scale & Participation
Tournament Scale
45
Participating Clubs
1,200
Total Athletes
6,000
Expected Spectators
International invitational clubs from Australia, Europe, the United States, Japan, and other countries are expected to participate alongside leading domestic youth clubs.
Participating Nations & Clubs
Participating Nations & Clubs
International Diversity, Elite Competition
Inviting countries with outstanding youth football development systems from across the world.
South Korea
National Representatives
Gangwon
Pyeongchang FC, Son Football Academy, Wonju SMC FC, Chuncheon Hupyeong FC, Jeongseon FC, Gangneung Citizen FC
Gyeonggi
Song Jong-kook Football Academy, Park Ji-sung Football Academy, Yongin Taesung FC
Seoul
Guryong FC, Daedong FC
Chungcheong
Cheonan Football Center
K League Academies
Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Jeju
International Schools
Four American International Schools
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Australia
Selected NPL Youth Clubs (2025 Season)
01
Sydney United 58 FC
02
Hills United FC
03
Northern Tiger FC
04
St, George City FC
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Europe
Elite Youth Academies
La Liga Youth
Spain
One youth academy affiliated with La Liga
Eredivisie Youth
Netherlands
Eredivisie Youth Academy
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Japan
J.League Youth Clubs
J-League Youth
Tokyo Region
Two youth clubs affiliated with the J.League
Leading Japanese youth clubs will be invited to strengthen football exchange across Asia.
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Participating Nations & Clubs
Participating Nations & Clubs
International Diversity, Elite Competition
Inviting countries with outstanding youth football development systems from across the world.
South Korea
National Representatives
Gangwon
Pyeongchang FC, Son Football Academy, Wonju SMC FC, Chuncheon Hupyeong FC, Jeongseon FC, Gangneung Citizen FC
Gyeonggi
Song Jong-kook Football Academy, Park Ji-sung Football Academy, Yongin Taesung FC
Seoul
Guryong FC, Daedong FC
Chungcheong
Cheonan Football Center
K League Academies
Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Jeju
International Schools
Four American International Schools
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Australia
Selected NPL Youth Clubs (2025 Season)
01
Sydney United 58 FC
02
Hills United FC
03
Northern Tiger FC
04
St, George City FC
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Europe
Elite Youth Academies
La Liga Youth
Spain
One youth academy affiliated with La Liga
Eredivisie Youth
Netherlands
Eredivisie Youth Academy
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Japan
J.League Youth Clubs
J-League Youth
Tokyo Region
Two youth clubs affiliated with the J.League
Leading Japanese youth clubs will be invited to strengthen football exchange across Asia.
*Participating clubs are subject to change depending on each youth club's seasonal schedule.
Schedule & Itinerary
Tournament Schedule
September – October 2026
SUN
27
4
Tournament Day 3
MON
28
5
Tournament
Day 4
Closing Ceremony
TUE
29
Arrival in Korea
6
WED
30
7
Tournament & Official Events
THU
1 OCT
8
Departure from Korea
Arrival & Departure
FRI
2
Tournament Day 1
9
SAT
3
Tournament
Day 2
Opening Ceremony
10
Arrival & Departure
Arrival in Korea
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Departure from Korea
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Friday, October 2
Tournament Day 1 — Group Stage
Saturday, October 3
Tournament Day 2 — Group Stage & Opening Ceremony
Sunday, October 4
Tournament Day 3 — Knockout Stage
Official Tournament Schedule
Monday, October 5
Tournament Day 4 — Finals & Closing Ceremony
*Dates may be adjusted if a substitute public holiday is designated.
Tour & Cultural Experience
PyeongChang & Gangwon Cultural Tour
3 days before and during the tournament
(September 29 – October 5)
K-Pop Demon Hunters Experience Tour
3 days after the tournament
(October 6 – October 8)
Tournament Schedule
Schedule & Itinerary
September – October 2026
Tournament Schedule
Arrival in Korea
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Departure from Korea
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Official Tournament Schedule
Friday, October 2
Tournament Day 1 — Group Stage
Saturday, October 3
Tournament Day 2 — Group Stage & Opening Ceremony
Sunday, October 4
Tournament Day 3 — Knockout Stage
Monday, October 5
Tournament Day 4 — Finals & Closing Ceremony
*Dates may be adjusted if a substitute public holiday is designated.
Tour & Cultural Experience
Pyeongchang & Gangwon Cultural Tour
3 days before and during the tournament
(September 29 – October 5)
K-Pop Demon Hunters Experience Tour
3 days after the tournament
(October 6 – October 8)
Education & Culture Exchange
Beyond Football
STAGE 1
Olympic Heritage
Experience
Visit the venues of the 2018 Winter Olympics and experience the history and legacy of the Olympic Games.
STAGE 2
Korean Cultural
Exploration
Discover Korean culture, cities, and participate in international exchange programs.
STAGE 3
Global Youth
Network
Build lasting friendships through continued international exchange and create a long-term global youth community.
Information
Venue Information
Opening Ceremony Venue
Opening Ceremony
Date & Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026 10:00 AM
Capacity
Approximately 5,000 athletes and spectators
Highlights
An outdoor stage combining the cultural beauty of Pyeongchang's buckwheat flower fields with the Olympic spirit.
Main Tournament Venues
Stadiums & Accommodation
Stadiums
Main football venues across Gangwon Province
Accommodation
Phoenix Park
Training Center
Alpensia
InterContinental
Pending Confirmation
Logistics & Services
Transportation
Transportation
Airport Transfers
Incheon International Airport
Gangwon
Chartered buses throughout the tournament
Shuttle services between hotels and stadiums
Dedicated transportation for matches and sightseeing
Catering & Dining
Catering & Dining
Regular Meals
K-Culture
BBQ & Experience
Group breakfast provided at accommodation in Gangwon
Lunch and dinner available according to each club's schedule
The Korea tour package includes authentic Korean cuisine and K-BBQ experiences.
Governance & Safety Framework
Tournament Operations & Safety Management
Large-Scale Event Management
Separate movement routes for athletes and spectators
Access control and security systems
Real-time operational monitoring
Professional Organising Committee
Dedicated management teams for each operational area
Experienced international event management
Live operational monitoring
International Safety Standards
Compliance with Olympic and FIFA safety standards
International event safety guidelines
Comprehensive venue safety inspections
Medical Support & Emergency Response
On-site professional medical teams
Emergency response protocols
Direct coordination with nearby general hospitals for emergency transport
