On Monday 9 November 2026, Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT) hosted its annual EFL Under-11s Kids Cup tournament at Stanley Park’s 4G facilities, welcoming approximately 180 pupils from 20 teams representing primary schools across the Fylde Coast.
The EFL Kids Cup is an invitation event open to primary schools in the Blackpool area, allowing pupils to compete in a seven-a-side football tournament against other local schools. The winners earn the right to represent their school and Blackpool FC at the regional finals, with the ultimate prize being the chance to play at Wembley Stadium during the League One play-off final!
The tournament featured four groups of five teams, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stages. The standard of football throughout the morning was excellent, with qualification from every group going down to the final fixture. All teams demonstrated great determination, teamwork and sportsmanship, making it a fantastic morning of football.
The eight teams progressing to the quarter-finals were:
- St Nicholas Blues
- Sacred Heart
- Moor Park
- Layton
- Anchorsholme
- Norbreck
- Westcliff
- Saint John Vianney
Following four closely contested quarter-finals, three of which went to penalties, the competition moved into the semi-finals. Westcliff faced Layton, while Anchorsholme took on St Nicholas Blues. Both matches were competitive, but Westcliff and St Nicholas Blues came out on top to secure their places in the final.
The final proved to be a closely fought encounter, with both teams creating chances throughout the two seven-minute halves. The first half ended goalless, with neither side able to find a breakthrough.
However, with just three minutes remaining, Westcliff launched a counterattack and scored a fantastic team goal to take the lead. It proved to be the decisive moment, as Westcliff held on to secure a 1-0 victory!
A massive well done to Westcliff Academy, who have been crowned 2026 Blackpool EFL Kids Cup winners for the second consecutive year! The team produced some excellent football throughout the tournament, demonstrating fantastic teamwork and determination to successfully defend their title.
Congratulations also to runners-up St Nicholas Blues, who should be incredibly proud of their performances throughout the morning.
Westcliff will now go on to represent their school and Blackpool FC at the regional finals in the new year, with the opportunity to take another step towards the famous Wembley turf!
Tournament host Ollie said,
“It was great to see so many schools attend our annual EFL Kids Cup competition on Monday morning at Stanley Park. It was fantastic to see all the children showcasing their footballing talent, working hard as a team and demonstrating their determination to win their matches, while also showing great sportsmanship.
As staff, it was brilliant to watch so many excellent spells of football throughout the morning, with some fantastic fixtures taking place across all the groups!
A massive well done to Westcliff, who played some excellent football throughout the morning and were crowned winners of our 2026 Kids Cup competition. It is a fantastic achievement for the team to win the competition for the second year in a row. We wish them the very best of luck as they represent Blackpool FC at the regional finals in the new year!”
