The Katoni Cup is set to make its much‑anticipated return to Aberdeen Sports Village next month, once again hosted by the Aberdeen FC Youth Academy, and this year’s event promises to be the biggest and most exciting instalment to date.
Thanks to the continued backing of Katoni Engineering, the Katoni Cup has grown into one of the most anticipated dates on the Academy calendar. Now entering its eighth edition, the 2026 programme will again feature both the elite U13 futsal tournament on Saturday 14th February and the development-focused U12 Katoni Festival on Sunday 25th January.
The two-day format proved a huge success in 2025, offering young players a vibrant, high-energy environment while giving supporters two days of action from the ASV balcony. This year’s edition aims to raise the bar once more.
The U13 Katoni Cup will welcome some of the country’s strongest academies to Aberdeen, with clubs set to take part in a fast-paced, five-a-side competition that blends traditional futsal demands with a competitive edge. Last year’s tournament delivered drama from start to finish, from last minute team changes due to Storm Eowyn, to penalties, to Dundee lifting their first ever Katoni Cup after an impressive run.
The 2026 edition promises more of the same high-quality football, with Aberdeen again entering two sides as they test themselves against national opposition.
The Katoni Festival will kick off proceedings on Sunday 25th January, offering U12 teams the chance to enjoy a relaxed, development-focused day of football. The festival debuted last year to brilliant feedback, with supporters creating a colourful and vocal backdrop as younger players experienced the Katoni Cup atmosphere for the first time.
With even more teams joining in 2026, the festival continues to play a key role in preparing the next wave of young Dons for competitive tournament football.
Aberdeen FC Youth Academy Director, Stuart Glennie, is looking forward to another showcase event:
“Last year showed us how special this event can be. The atmosphere, the football, the supporters, everything came together to make it a fantastic two days.
With Katoni’s support, we’ve been able to keep improving the experience for players, coaches, and families. The Katoni Cup is an important part of our programme, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back again in 2026.”
Katoni CEO James Bream shared his enthusiasm for continuing the partnership:
“It’s always a highlight for us. The Katoni Cup brings elite competition to our home city, but it also stays rooted in the community, it’s what makes it such a special tournament.
Seeing local teams compete alongside some of the best young players in Scotland is something we’re proud to support again this year. Aberdeen is home for us, and we love being part of this event.”
Last year’s tournament produced standout moments, from Dundee’s maiden title to individual awards for top performances across the weekend. As with every edition, the event helped set the tone for a strong year across the Academy age groups.
Supporters are encouraged to come along and support the young Dons at Aberdeen Sports Village across both dates.
