- Launch event at Southampton brought together Glenn Murray, content creators and local schoolchildren for a game of ‘Wembley Doubles’
- Over 21,000 children from more than 2,500 schools will take part in this season’s Utilita Kids & Girls Cup. They represent all 72 EFL Clubs nationwide.
- Winners to play at Wembley Stadium. They’ll fulfill the ultimate football dream ahead of this season’s Vertu Trophy Final and EFL Play-Off Finals.
- Jamal Musiala, Adam Wharton, Scott McTominay and Ellie Roebuck are among stars who have played in the Utilita Kids & Girls Cup final in previous years.
The dream of playing at Wembley Stadium became one step closer for thousands of young footballers today. This was as the EFL and Utilita launched the 2025/26 season of the Utilita Kids & Girls Cup.
The annual football competition sees more than 21,000 boys and girls each year take to the pitch. They represent the 72 EFL Clubs across England and Wales. This bolsters the existing ties between Clubs and their local communities.
The Utilita Kids and Girls Cup are two of the country’s biggest national football competitions for schools and children. They give kids the chance to live out the dream of playing at Wembley Stadium.
At Southampton’s Staplewood Training Ground, EFL legend Glenn Murray was joined by content creators Harriet Pavlou and Ben Nuttall. They share over 35 million followers between them across social media.
Together, they took part in a lively launch event alongside local school teams. It featured skills sessions and a competitive game of ‘Wembley Doubles’. This was a nod to the Wembley dream that could become reality for some of these young players later this season.
The Girls Cup will advance through local and regional stages. Two schools will earn the chance to represent their local EFL Club at Wembley. This will be ahead of the Vertu Trophy Final on Sunday 12th April 2026.
Meanwhile, participants in the Kids Cup will compete in local and regional stages too. They will represent one of the 72 EFL Clubs across the three divisions. Regional winners will step out under the Wembley arch ahead of the EFL Play-Off Finals. This will occur over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The competition has a proud history of helping young players take their first steps towards professional football. Jamal Musiala, Adam Wharton, Scott McTominay, and Ellie Roebuck all featured in the competition before establishing their professional and international careers.
Keep an eye out for some brilliant content from today’s launch on Harriet Pavlou (@harrietfreetyle), Ben Nuttall (@bnfreestyle), and Utilita Football (@utilitafootball) channels. Content will go out from 18th November.
Glenn Murray said:“It’s amazing to be back with the Utilita Kids & Girls Cup, this competition is really special. I remember playing games like Wembley Doubles when I was their age and dreaming about stepping out at Wembley one day. Being here today and seeing these kids full of energy and excitement brings that all back. Competitions like this give them a real taste of that dream, the kids get the chance to represent their local Clubs, and it’s incredible to think some of them could actually play at Wembley later this season.”
Bill Bullen, Chief Executive Officer at Utilita Energy, said:“It’s great to see the Utilita Kids & Girls Cup back in action, and we’re proud to be entering our seventh year as title sponsor. Seeing thousands of schoolchildren enjoying football, learning together, and dreaming big is what makes this competition so special. Football is a way to bring communities together. It keeps kids active, helps them build confidence and, of course, for some, it offers the unforgettable experience to play at Wembley.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.efl.com/utilitakidscup or https://football.utilita.co.uk/kids-cup
