The 2026 FIFA Girls’ Football Festivals will reach an exciting milestone this Friday (24 April) as Allen Park, Antrim hosts a large-scale celebration event bringing together 36 school teams from across Northern Ireland.
The event marks the culmination of a series of FIFA-backed festivals delivered throughout the spring, with previous events held in Newcastle, Ballymena, Coleraine, Belfast and Newtownabbey. Across each location, the festivals have provided girls with the opportunity to represent their schools and experience football in a fun, inclusive and supportive environment.
Designed for Year 8 and Year 9 pupils, the festivals have focused on participation, development and enjoyment rather than competition. The programme has aimed to create positive first experiences in schools football, helping girls build confidence, develop fundamental skills and represent their schools alongside their peers.
The Allen Park celebration event will bring together schools from across all districts, offering a chance to celebrate both the football played and the progress made throughout the festival series.
Damian McLaughlin, School Development Officer with the Irish FA Foundation, said:
“We are really excited to host the celebration event at Allen Park and to bring together so many schools from across Northern Ireland for what will be a fantastic celebration of girls’ football in schools.
“This event reflects the journey of the FIFA Girls’ Football Festivals and the positive experiences created throughout the programme. By providing these types of inclusive, fun and meaningful opportunities, we hope to encourage girls to continue representing their schools, remain engaged with schools football and, in time, take the next step by joining clubs and staying involved in the game for the long term.”
The FIFA Girls’ Football Festivals form a key part of the wider FIFA Women’s Football Campaign in Northern Ireland, with a focus on long-term participation and sustainability. Alongside delivering enjoyable playing opportunities, the programme supports schools in strengthening their girls’ football provision and creating clear pathways for those who wish to stay involved in the game.
