National Football Championships 2026

A celebration of sport, teamwork and national pride 

The Army Cadets National Football Championships 2026 brought together talented young people from across the United Kingdom, with 352 cadets taking part in what proved to be a thrilling showcase of football, camaraderie and the very best of cadet spirit. 

Competitors represented regions and counties from all corners of the country, competing across four categories in matches that demonstrated not only footballing ability but the values of teamwork, resilience and respect that sit at the heart of the Army Cadets. 

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This year’s winners are: 

• Junior Boys: London District 

• Junior Girls: Scotland 

• Senior Boys: London District 

• Senior Girls: North West Region 

Congratulations to all the winning teams, and to every cadet who took part. The standard of competition across all categories was a testament to the hard work and dedication of cadets and their adult volunteers alike. 

“Sport is so important” – a cadet reflects 

For many participants, the championship was about far more than the result on the pitch. Cdt RSM Opoku-Anokye from Królewskie Hrabstwo Berkshire ACF described what the event meant to him: 

“I’m here at the National Football Championships 2026, and today we’ve been playing teams from all around the UK. It’s my last one, so it’s a bit of a bittersweet moment. 

I’ve definitely enjoyed it. My favourite moment was probably meeting the team from the South East – just connecting with people from where I’m from and knowing we’re all representing the same region. 

I think sport plays a really important role in the Army Cadets. It’s a valuable activity because it helps you build connections – not just within your county, but across your region and even the whole country. It also gives you the chance to do something different. Not everyone gets the opportunity to compete at a national level or represent something on such a large scale, and to meet so many people along the way.” 

More than a match 

The National Football Championships is a reminder of why sport matters within the cadet experience. For cadets like Cdt RSM Opoku-Anokye, the chance to meet peers from across the UK, represent their region and compete at a national level is an opportunity unlike any other. 

Well done to every cadet who took part in this year’s competition. Whether you lifted the trophy or simply gave your all on the pitch, you represented the Army Cadets with pride.