Generation adidas Cup to feature top academy teams from record-breaking 15 countries

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT announced details for the 2024 Generation adidas Cup, which will include the most global field in the competition’s 15-year history.

The premier international youth tournament will feature representation from every MLS academy and 49 different club academies from a record-breaking 15 countries spanning four different continents. A total of 80 teams, 40 in each age group (U-17 and U-15), will compete at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from March 30 – April 7.

Twenty-eight Generation adidas games, including championship matches in both age groups, will stream live on MLS Season Pass, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer on the Apple TV app, available in more than 100 countries and regions. Further Generation adidas Cup broadcast details, including the schedule of matches on MLS Season Pass, will be announced in the lead-up to the tournament.

(+READ: MLS begins compensating youth clubs via MLS NEXT Development Grant program)

The best young players in the world will descend upon the 2024 Generation adidas Cup as all 29 MLS clubs will be represented in both the U-17 and U-15 age groups. Additionally, one MLS NEXT Elite Academy, Strikers FC (Irvine, Calif.), will participate in the U-17 age group. Dating back to 2019, MLS academies have won five of the six past Generation adidas Cup, which was capped off by the Philadelphia Union (U-17) and Austin FC (U-15) taking home the titles in 2023. Among the Union players to hoist the Generation adidas Cup trophy last year were eight who went on to play in MLS NEXT Pro for Philadelphia Union II in 2023.

The tournament has been a springboard for young talents who have gone on to shine on the international stage. Players like Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes / C.D. Guadalajara), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew), and Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire FC / Chelsea FC) have showcased their skills in past editions with each proving to be impactful for the U.S. Youth National Teams at both the 2023 FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups. Notable international players who have starred at a Generation adidas Cup include 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Julián Álvarez (River Plate / Manchester City) and Enzo Fernández (River Plate / Chelsea), 18-year-old breakout midfielder Kobie Mainoo (Manchester United), Brazilian international Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo / West Ham United), and many more future stars.

“The Generation adidas Cup represents MLS’ continued commitment to player development and providing the best young players in North America the chance to compete against top international teams,” said MLS Executive Vice President Charles Altchek. “The 15th edition of the tournament, featuring the most global participation to-date, will showcase MLS’ world-class player pathway and its role in shaping the future of North American soccer.”

“The Generation adidas Cup is an incredibly important piece of our partnership with Major League Soccer,” said Zola Short, Sr. Director of Soccer Sports Marketing, adidas North America. “It’s truly a marquee global event, one that we look forward to each year, bringing the best youth talent together to compete at the highest level.”

In the 15th edition of the tournament, the 2024 Generation adidas Cup will see a record 19 different international clubs competing in the U-17 and U-15 age groups. Notably, the tournament will include clubs from four different continents – Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Among the prestigious clubs participating, 2023 UEFA Youth League champions AZ Alkmaar and 24-time Eredivisie winners PSV will be the first teams from the Netherlands to compete in the tournament.

Competition Structure

Forty teams, organized into 10 groups of four, will compete in each of the two age groups. Group draws will be random, utilizing buckets categorized by division for MLS academies, while international clubs will be drawn randomly. Sixteen teams will advance to the single-elimination championship bracket—comprising the 10 group winners and the top-six second-place finishers. The next-best 16 teams will enter a consolation bracket, with the final eight teams competing in consolation groups to provide more competitive matches.

All teams competing in the 2024 Generation adidas Cup are guaranteed to play seven 60-minute matches, comprised of two 30-minute halves. The championship matches in both age groups will be extended to 70-minute matches. All contests that are tied at the end of regulation will go directly to a penalty-kick shootout.

• 2024 Generation adidas Cup schedule and standings will be available HERE.

After the conclusion of the tournament, awards will be presented in both age groups, recognizing the Generation adidas Cup Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and the Generation adidas Cup Best Goalkeeper. The Generation adidas Cup Rising XI will highlight the top-performing players from each position at the competition.