A well-run tour can be the highlight of a young player’s season. This guide walks grassroots coaches and club organisers through planning football tours for grassroots clubs, from picking the right trip to keeping costs manageable for families.
- Start planning six to twelve months ahead so families have time to pay.
- Choose between a UK pro club weekender, a trip abroad or an international tournament.
- Many professional academy sessions need around 16 players, and FA rules keep players within their age bracket.
- Look for financial protection and a clear payment plan before you commit.
Why football tours matter for grassroots clubs
Tours give players something to work towards and something to remember. Training with professional coaches, walking into a stadium for the first time or playing against a team from another country builds confidence and brings a squad closer together.
They are good for the club too. A tour gives players a reason to stay through the season, gives volunteers a shared goal and makes your club stand out when families are choosing where to play.
When to start planning
The earlier you start, the easier everything becomes. Six to twelve months ahead is a sensible target for most grassroots football tours.
- More time to pay. Booking early means the cost can be spread across more instalments.
- Better availability. Popular weekends, hotels and pro-club sessions fill up.
- Time to get families on board. Parents need dates and costs well in advance.
Choosing the right type of tour
UK pro club weekenders
A long weekend built around academy-style sessions at professional clubs, a stadium tour and a live match. Travel is usually by coach, which keeps costs down and avoids passports and flights. A great first tour for younger age groups.
Tours abroad
Academy sessions with professional clubs in Spain, matches against local sides and time to enjoy a new city. A bigger adventure, usually for older age groups or clubs that have toured before.
International tournaments
Competitive youth tournaments where your team plays sides from around Europe. Ideal if your squad wants proper competition and the experience of a festival atmosphere.
Group size and age groups
This is where many tours succeed or fail. Some professional academy sessions have a minimum group size, often around 16 players, while many grassroots teams have ten to twelve.
FA rules keep players within their age bracket, so you can’t simply add younger or older players to make the numbers. The usual answer is to travel with another team in the same age group, either from your own club or a partner club. Tell us your numbers early and we’ll build the right option in from the start.
Budget and payments
Families plan around money, so be clear about cost from day one. Ask for a price per player with everything included listed, a deposit to secure places and a staged payment schedule before you travel.
Check how payments are protected. With On The Wing, payments are held in an independent PTS trust account, and flight-inclusive tours are ATOL protected through our licensed partner.
Your planning checklist
Agree the goal
Development, reward, competition or all three. It shapes everything else.
Count your players
Confirm numbers and age groups before choosing a tour.
Pick a window
Choose dates that work for families and the football calendar.
Get a clear quote
Price per player, inclusions and payment dates in writing.
Brief your families
Share dates, costs and the payment plan early and clearly.
Tell us your age group, numbers and preferred dates and we’ll come back with options and a clear price.
