The Journey from England to Gothia Cup

Phoenix Football Academy from England is back for the tenth year in a row!

Ahead of Gothia Cup 2025, we're looking forward to our tenth consecutive year in the tournament – and we’re already excited to be back. This year, we’re traveling with a large delegation: 130 players and 20 staff members will make their way from the south of England to take part in what is always one of the highlights of our year.

Our expectations for the summer are clear – we’re looking forward to having fun, meeting players and coaches from around the world, and most of all, playing and experiencing fantastic football alongside other talented teams. But Gothia Cup is about so much more than just the matches. Each year, our preparation goes beyond physical training; we also focus on preparing our players mentally – helping them understand that the tournament is just as much about friendship, culture, and unforgettable experiences as it is about performance on the pitch.

2025 will also be a milestone year for us – our academy celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and it marks my 20th year as a coach. Every time we’ve taken part in the Gothia Cup, it’s been an incredible experience – both on and off the field. We can’t wait to create even more memories.- says Adrian Milne, coach, Phoenix Football Academy

Our participation is made possible through parental funding, and we’re fortunate to have many parents and supporters traveling with us – some alongside the teams, others joining during the week – and their presence means a great deal, not only to our players but to the overall spirit of the event.

We’ll be flying over on three separate flights, followed by transfer buses that will take us to the tournament site in Gothenburg. It’s a long journey, but one that proves its value year after year. We know the organisation will be of the highest standard, just like in previous years – perhaps with an extra special touch this time, as Gothia Cup celebrates its 50th anniversary with a record number of participants.

On the pitch, we expect our players – and all participants – to show sportsmanship, honour, humility, and respect, no matter the results. These are the values that make Gothia Cup such a unique and meaningful tournament, year after year.

2025 will also be a milestone year for us – our academy celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and it marks my 20th year as a coach. Every time we’ve taken part in the Gothia Cup, it’s been an incredible experience – both on and off the field. We can’t wait to create even more memories.