Youth competition hosted in China for first time built on League’s commitment to develop Chinese football at all levels
The Premier League’s Next Gen Beijing Cup took place last month at the National Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, marking the first time the international youth development tournament has been staged in China.
Co‑hosted by the Premier League and the Beijing Football Association, with the League’s Chinese broadcaster partner Migu as a supporting partner, the tournament brought together eight Academy teams from the Premier League and Chinese football, including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Split across two groups, the teams played 16 matches in total, culminating in Arsenal’s 2–0 victory over Zhejiang FC in the final to claim the title.
Watch highlights of Next Gen final: Arsenal v Zhejiang
President of the Beijing Football Association Liu Jun said: “Hosting the Next Gen Beijing Cup for the first time marks an important milestone in China UK cooperation on youth football development. It represents a key step toward the internationalization of youth football in Beijing. The tournament not only enhanced the competitive level of local academy teams but also encouraged deeper exchanges between China and the UK in training philosophy, coaching methods, and talent development systems. In doing so, it has injected fresh momentum into the high-quality growth of youth football in both Beijing and across China.”
Premier League Director of Football Neil Saunders said: “The Next Gen Beijing Cup has been a real success and highlights the positive role international youth tournaments can play in supporting the continued development of football in China. By bringing together leading Premier League Academy teams and top youth teams from across Chinese football, the competition creates a high-quality environment that benefits everyone involved.
“We are proud to work alongside the Beijing Football Association to deliver a tournament that provides valuable, competitive experience for young players and coaches in China, while also giving Premier League academies the opportunity to travel, learn and test themselves in a different footballing and cultural setting.”
Alongside the tournament, the Premier League delivered the Next Gen Coach programme. Led by Premier League staff and Academy coaches from Burnley and Chelsea, the programme provided four days of targeted training for 40 grassroots coaches from across China. On the final day, a showcase event was held at the Beijing Xiao Hua Maoer Football Training Centre, operated by Beijing ONE Great Sports Culture Co., Ltd., involving 64 young players aged 10 to 12.
Premier League’s China Managing Director Jay Li said: “Since the opening of our Beijing office in 2024, we have continued to deepen collaboration with Chinese partners through youth exchange initiatives and grassroots coach development programmes.
“Our goal is not simply to replicate the Premier League model in China, but to adapt it to local conditions to better support the development of Chinese football.
“Looking ahead, the Premier League will continue to play an active role in areas such as coach development, youth competitions, and potentially first team events. We hope to see more tournaments like the Next Gen Cup established in China and promoted nationwide.”
During the same week, the 2026 Youth Football Development Exchange, co‑hosted by the Chinese Professional Football League and the Premier League, officially commenced in Beijing. Building on the inaugural exchange held in Haikou in 2025, Premier League youth training experts once again came together with representatives from clubs across all three tiers of professional Chinese football.
The sessions focused on sharing best practice and practical insight across key areas, including creating effective development environments for young players, establishing youth training systems within professional clubs, and supporting U15 players in their transition towards professional careers.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC U14–U16 Youth Academy Phase Lead and U16 Lead Coach Karl Broadhurst said: “I have been highly impressed by the standard of the Chinese teams we faced. They were well organised, worked collectively and showed real discipline out of possession, particularly in their pressing and defensive structure. There was also a strong level of technical quality, creating a good balance between tactical shape and individual ability.
“For our own players, this has been an extremely valuable experience. Competing in a different footballing environment, against unfamiliar styles and cultures, helps accelerate their development both on and off the pitch, and preparing them for future challenges at academy and senior level.”