Campus with the best football academy in the world 2025

The term 'canterano' is used a lot in football slang.

Identifies players who are trained in the lower divisions of professional clubs or private institutions.

Soccer camps and schools are responsible for developing these players so that, over the years, they can continue to evolve in their game and make their professional debuts, which is the dream of many children who have dedicated themselves to the sport since they were very young.

For example, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are canteranos of F.C Barcelona, having been fully trained at La Masia since they were children. On the other hand, players such as Raúl Asencio and Dani Carvajal are canteranos of Real Madrid , having been trained at La Fábrica, the club’s academy located in Valdebebas.

Training in these hotbeds of stars can be very beneficial for your child. And best of all, these camps are accessible and open at different times of the year to recruit new future soccer stars.

That’s why, in this post we will tell you about the best soccer camps around the world, from Europe to the United States.

1. Best Campus with a youth academy in England: West Ham United Campus.

West Ham United is one of the most prolific clubs in the Premier League in terms of player development, with great stars that are developed at the club’s school and make the leap to bigger clubs in the league and other European countries.

Great stars such as Frank Lampard, Joe Cole or Rio Ferdinand belonged to the West Ham camp, later becoming legends at Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively, just to name a few of the players who have passed through the academy.

As for the camp, it offers the kids to train in the official facilities of the London club, representing an experience as close as possible to the professional level that will remain in their minds for a long time.

As if that were not enough, they offer different modalities that adapt to the level of the players. From the most demanding and high performance to less demanding programs for intermediate players who are just starting their careers.

West Ham Campus Specialties

  • Comprehensive training: The club’s coaches are responsible for training players in all areas at the same level of priority. They develop their technical, tactical and physical skills in the service of today’s fast-paced soccer.
  • Official facilities: This campus has state-of-the-art facilities that offer the kids all the necessary amenities to maximize their soccer potential.
  • Experience: The campus coaches have been trained by the same London entity and have A or B certificates awarded by UEFA.

Program description

  • For boys and girls from 10 to 17 years of age.
  • Plans from a minimum of one week to one month.
  • Accommodation at the Dockland Campus, near London.
  • Leisure activities, excursions and guided visits.
  • Optional English classes.
  • Meals included in the package.
  • Sports psychology.
  • Nutritional guidance.
  • Physical conditioning and injury prevention talks.
  • Training in English.
  • Multicultural and international experience with kids from different countries.

2. Best Youth Camp in the U.S.: FC Barcelona in Arizona

To talk about FC Barcelona ‘s youth academy is to talk about incredible players who have left their mark on the history of soccer, especially during the 21st century.

Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets or Lionel Messi are great names that represent the greatness of the soccer method of La Masia, the club’s school that trains children on and off the field from a very early age.

The Catalan club has transferred this ideology to its official school in the United States, located in Arizona. This FC Barcelona campus in the USA follows the tactical periodization method in its training sessions and has official coaches from the blaugrana club.

It is recommended for advanced or elite level players and has programs during the summer and other times of the year.

FC Barcelona USA Campus Specialties

  • Successful playing philosophy: FC Barcelona has an ideology of betting on the players of its lower divisions more than many other clubs in Spain and Europe, polishing its training methods and giving the utmost care to its future jewels.
  • Understanding the game: The possession game of the culé club guarantees an advanced understanding of the game in order to understand the roles that each position plays on the field and in the different phases of the matches.
  • Intensive mode: This campus is demanding at all levels, including a physical rigor in their training that ensures maximum demand in this aspect.

General description of the program

  • For children from 10 to 17 years old.
  • Places available during the summer.
  • More than 20 hours of training per week.
  • Complementary activities.
  • First class facilities.
  • Lodging at the Grande Sports World Complex.
  • Only FC Barcelona certified school in the USA.
  • Optional language classes.
  • Lodging and meals included.

3. Best Campus with youth academy in France: PSG Academy

PSG is another club that has made a huge commitment to its youth academy throughout its history, even though in recent years it has been dedicated to signing players from all over the world to increase the quality of its squad.

Current players such as Kingsley Coman, Mike Maignan, Ferland Mendy, Adrien Rabiot and Warren Zaire-Emery have all passed through the youth ranks of the Parisian club, all with experience in the French national team and in the biggest leagues on the European continent.

The Paris Saint-Germain academy offers one- to two-week programs for youngsters to enrich their technical repertoire and make the most of their skills from a tactical point of view during matches.

Specialities of the Paris Saint-Germain Campus

  • High Performance: The boys train in the facilities of the International High Performance Center of Val d’Oise in Paris, with all the technological and modern implements for the development of the boys.
  • Special modality for forwards and goalkeepers: Youngsters who want to play in these positions can receive specific training to fill these important roles on the field.
  • Visit to Disneyland: Guided tours are a priority in this experience and offer the boys a day’s visit to the Disneyland Paris facilities.

Program Overview

  • For boys and girls ages 13 to 17 years old.
  • Official club coaches certified by UEFA.
  • Multiple artificial turf fields.
  • Accommodation and meals included in the package.
  • Sightseeing tour of central Paris.
  • Places available in summer and autumn.
  • Training in English and French.
  • Optional language classes.
  • Ideal for beginners to intermediate level players.

4. Best Campus with youth academy in Italy: A.C Milan

To talk about A.C. Milan ‘s youth academy is to refer to great legends of Italian soccer such as Franco Baresi or Paolo Maldini.

Today, professional players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are exponents of the validity of a soccer school that continues to nurture the Italian Calcio with great players year after year.

To strengthen its lower divisions, the Milan soccer campus offers a balanced program for players from beginner to intermediate level, covering all areas of interest in a player’s development.

In addition, it has four locations, two mountainous and two near the beach. In this way, parents and players can choose the most convenient environment for training.

A.C. Milan Soccer Camp Specialties

  • Summer adventure: This camp serves as the perfect excuse to train soccer and enjoy breathtaking Italian landscapes, living an unparalleled summer experience in the country.
  • For club fans: Rossoneri fans will have dream days living with the club’s official coaches and receiving talks about the team’s historical values and triumphs.
  • Four different venues: Offers four different venues, with facilities prepared specifically for the kids’ stay, with multiple soccer fields and common areas.

Program Overview

  • For boys from 7 to 17 years of age.
  • Coaches certified by the Italian entity.
  • Training in Italian.
  • Italian classes available.
  • International environment.
  • Lodging and meals included.
  • Physical conditioning.
  • Ideal for beginners.
  • Natural and artificial turf fields (depending on the chosen location).

5. Arsenal FC Football Development Campus

Arsenal’ s youth academy is another of the biggest in England. The Gunners have been responsible for the development of great players with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe as the main flagships of their lower divisions in the first team.

Previously, the likes of Serge Gnabry, Wojciech Szczesny and Alex Iwobi were also part of Arsenal’s youth academy, players who have also achieved success outside of England.

The arsenal campus now focuses on tactical approach and understanding of the game.

The coaches apply different exercises throughout the sessions to prepare the players to face high-stress situations in matches, simulating different moments of the game to stimulate the players’ reflexes and cognitive capacity.

Arsenal Campus specialties

  • Integral experience: The kids receive not only soccer advice and knowledge, but also learn about nutrition, strengthen their mentality and discover how to prevent injuries to take care of their physical condition.
  • Tactics at the highest level: Arsenal is characterized by a fast and vertical positional game that is also transferred to its camps through specific exercises that demand the player from the mental and physical point of view.
  • Multiple locations: The camp has four locations, all near London depending on the age of the boys.

Program Overview

  • For boys and girls from 9 to 17 years of age.
  • Official club coaches.
  • Special program for goalkeepers.
  • Natural grass fields.
  • Residence and facilities on site.
  • Lodging and meals included.
  • Language classes available.
  • Injury prevention.
  • Psychological and nutritional counseling.

6. Chelsea F.C Foundation Campus

Chelsea is another great Premier League team that has been dedicated to promoting players from its lower divisions to the first team in recent years.

Their greatest legend is John Terry, an English center-back who played his entire career at Stamford Bridge and also defended the colors of the ‘blues’.

Today, players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Bertrand Traoré and Kurt Zouma are proof of the potential of the club’s youth academy.

The Chelsea campuses offer a complete and comprehensive learning experience to their students, who are trained by the club’s official coaches in a highly competitive environment.

Chelsea F.C. Campus Specialties

  • Physical rigor: The training sessions have a high level of physical demand to prepare them for the constant friction of modern soccer.
  • Winning mentality: Players gain confidence through motivational talks and exercises that reinforce their creativity on the field.
  • Special for goalkeepers: Goalkeepers such as Thibaut Courtois have completed their training in the club’s lower divisions. Your child can access the same training plan with this campus.

Program overview

  • For boys and girls from 10 to 17 years old.
  • Coaches trained by the club and certified by UEFA.
  • More than 20 hours of training each week.
  • Optional language classes.
  • Training in English.
  • Three venues available.
  • Accommodation and meals included.
  • Natural and artificial turf fields.
  • Injury prevention.
  • Strengthening of mentality.
  • Emphasis on teamwork.
Training at Chelsea summer camp

7. Liverpool F.C. Campus

To talk about Liverpool without talking about Steven Gerrard is to forget its greatest symbol. The Reds’ youth academy has had many symbols over the years, although this extraordinary midfielder has earned the recognition of all for having played practically his entire career at the club.

Today, players such as Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the main references of a soccer school that remains the cornerstone of the club’s sporting project under Arne Slot.

The Liverpool soccer camp relies on physical demand and fast transitions soccer to train the boys at the highest sporting level.

Specialties of the Liverpool Campus

  • Highly competitive: The training sessions encourage the boys’ competitive spirit, pitting the boys against other players of a similar level.
  • Spectacular fields: The fields of this program are of natural grass and guarantee an experience very close to the professional level.
  • Intensive modality: The most demanding players can opt for the high performance modality exclusively for high level or elite soccer players.

General description of the program

  • For boys from 9 to 17 years old.
  • Exclusive program for girls from 12 to 17 years of age.
  • Special modality for goalkeepers.
  • Club-trained coaches with UEFA license.
  • Training in English.
  • Optional English classes.
  • Accommodation and meals included.

8. Manchester City Camp

Manchester City, despite always being present in soccer conversations for all the budget they have invested in signings, is also responsible for strengthening its lower divisions and bet on them.

For example, Pep Guardiola has given debuts to players such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis, all of whom have experience in the England national team and the Premier League.

His Manchester City Campus is responsible for recruiting new gems for his school, applying a training method approved by the first team coaching staff.

Specialties of the Manchester City Campus

  • Tactical focus: Training sessions focus on improving the boys’ understanding of the game and exploiting their tactical potential on the pitch.
  • Physical at the service of the game: Physical conditioning does not take a back seat, players train their endurance to perform better on the field.
  • Different modalities: Fans of the club and interested kids can attend the campus regardless of their sporting level, as it offers different modalities that divide them according to their abilities.

General description of the program

  • For kids from 9 to 17 years old.
  • High level coaches trained by the club.
  • UEFA-certified coaching staff.
  • Multiple artificial turf fields.
  • Modern facilities.
  • Accommodation and meals included.
  • Exclusive program for girls in July.
  • Optional English classes.
  • Access to the first team training camp.
Training at Manchester City Camp

9. Tottenham Hotspur Campus

We end this tour through the youth academies of the world’s top clubs with Tottenham Hotspur.

Paul Gascoigne, an English soccer legend, is the most recognizable face of a youth academy through which other great stars such as Gareth Bale or Kyle Walker have passed.

This Tottenham campus offers a complete training that includes, of course, review of basic and advanced concepts of soccer technique, combined with communicative development in dynamic English classes, with a practical and interactive approach.

Tottenham Hotspur Campus Specialities

  • High-quality facilities: the boys train on the FA-approved 3G soccer pitch with strictly methodical care to ensure a highly satisfying experience for the players.
  • Excursions: The campus offers full-day excursions to Brighton and Thorpe Park to enjoy their attractions.
  • Unforgettable adventure: This camp combines soccer with sightseeing and leisure activities to form an ideal sporting and social adventure for the youngsters.

General description of the program

  • For boys and girls from 10 to 17 years old.
  • UEFA and FA certified coaches.
  • Accommodation at the Royal Holloway of the University of London in Egham.
  • Approximately 15 hours of training per week.
  • Training in English.
  • Optional language classes.
  • On-site residence and facilities.
  • 24/7 supervision.
  • Room and board included.

Transforming dreams into goals

Send your child to the best youth camp in the world

Major clubs around the world offer soccer camps for players of all levels who want to improve their skills and join these high-caliber schools to get closer and closer to the professional level.

Signing your child up for such a camp is a convenient alternative to familiarize him/her with their training routines and how they work. Afterwards, you can make a clearer decision whether to enroll your child in such an academy or try your luck in some other institution.

If you are still not sure which campus to choose for your child, in Ertheo we have staff at your disposal to help you choose the program that best suits your needs and those of your future soccer player.

Your investment will be guaranteed in a camp that will fulfill everything it has to offer and will represent a highly satisfying adventure that your child will surely want to return to the following year.

Joining a professional club’s youth academy can be that key step in elevating your child’s career to the place he or she deserves, making all his or her efforts finally pay off.

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