Football Academies near you

There are no football academies published at the moment. The guide below explains what to look for and the questions to ask.

In England, "academy" means two different things. Professional club academies are run by Premier League and EFL clubs under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), graded Category 1 to 4, and players join them by invitation after being watched. Many independent businesses also call themselves academies: they run training programmes, development centres or "pre-academy" sessions, and are not part of a professional club unless they say so and the club confirms it. Read the guide

Listings marked Featured pay for priority placement; it is not a rating or a check.

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Football Academy FAQs

What are football academies?

In England, "academy" means two different things. Professional club academies are run by Premier League and EFL clubs under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), graded Category 1 to 4, and players join them by invitation after being watched. Many independent businesses also call themselves academies: they run training programmes, development centres or "pre-academy" sessions, and are not part of a professional club unless they say so and the club confirms it.

What should I look for?

Whether it is a professional club academy or an independent programme, stated plainly. Coaches with FA or UEFA coaching licences, named on the provider's website. Group sizes and how much of each session is spent with the ball. A written safeguarding policy and a named welfare officer. Clear costs, including what happens if a player misses sessions.

Which qualifications or registrations matter?

FA and UEFA coaching licences (UEFA C, B, A): The coaching pathway in England. Ask which licence each coach holds. EPPP academy category (1 to 4): Only professional club academies have one. It describes the club's academy, not an independent business.

How much do football academies cost?

Each provider sets its own prices, and they vary with the area, the age group and how often you go. So ask for a written price that says what is included and what the cancellation terms are.

Are these listings checked?

Listings come from public business information and from providers who claim them. 0 here have been claimed, 0 are verified and 0 are Safeguarding checked. Featured is promoted placement (paid, or a free trial of it), not a sign that we have checked them. Always check qualifications and safeguarding yourself.

Guide

Choosing football academies

Who it may suit

Players who want more structured training than their grassroots club offers
Parents trying to understand what a professional academy is, and what an independent programme is
Players who have been invited to a professional club's development centre or trial

What to look for

Whether it is a professional club academy or an independent programme, stated plainly
Coaches with FA or UEFA coaching licences, named on the provider's website
Group sizes and how much of each session is spent with the ball
A written safeguarding policy and a named welfare officer
Clear costs, including what happens if a player misses sessions

Questions to ask a provider

Are you connected to a professional club? Can the club confirm it?
Who coaches the sessions, and what licences do they hold?
How do you decide which age or ability group a player joins?
What does a typical session look like, and how many players are in it?
What does it cost per month or term, and what is the notice period?

Qualifications and registrations, and how to check them

FA and UEFA coaching licences (UEFA C, B, A). The coaching pathway in England. Ask which licence each coach holds. The Football Association.
EPPP academy category (1 to 4). Only professional club academies have one. It describes the club's academy, not an independent business.

Be careful of

An independent programme that uses a professional club's name or badge without the club confirming the link
Promises that attending will lead to a professional contract or a scout watching
Large fees paid up front with no trial session or refund terms

How these listings are sourced and checked

There are no football academies published in the directory at the moment: these are only shown with current evidence of what they offer. The guide above still applies wherever you look. Featured is promoted placement (paid, or a free trial of it); it never buys a check or a badge. Always check qualifications and safeguarding yourself before booking.

Finding football academies near you

Choose your region or town at the top of this page, or search near you with a postcode. Filters narrow the list by age group and service where providers have told us who they serve. If there is little near you, try the neighbouring region: some providers travel or run sessions in several places.