Tournament
Everything you need to know before you enter
The Tallinn Cup runs from 30 June – 4 July 2027 across Tallinn’s pitches, with the finals at A. Le Coq Arena.
- Dates
- 30 Jun – 4 Jul 2027
- Teams
- 150+
- Categories
- 9
- Matches each
- 6+
- Squad limit
- 20 players
- Finals at
- A. Le Coq Arena
Eligibility
Who can enter
- Clubs and sports schools recognised by the football federation of their country
- Academy and youth sides of professional clubs
- School football associations
Girls in boys' categories
Girls may enter the boys' categories. Boys may not enter the girls' categories.
Overage players
Two overage players are allowed in the boys' 11-a-side categories and three in the girls'. Anything beyond that needs written approval before the tournament.
The rules in short
Groups, then playoffs — for everyone
No team flies to Tallinn to play twice and go home: every squad continues past the group stage into a knockout or placing round.
- 01
Days 2–3
Group stage
Teams are drawn into groups of at least four and play a round robin. Three points for a win, one for a draw. Ties are settled by head-to-head, then goal difference, then goals scored, then fewest yellow cards.
- 02
Days 3–4
Playoffs
Every team continues into a knockout or placing round — nobody's tournament ends after the groups. Draws go straight to penalties.
- 03
Day 5
Finals
Finals and placing matches, with the showpiece games at A. Le Coq Arena, followed by the closing ceremony.
At least 6 matches, guaranteed for every squad
Read the full regulationsSwipe
Squads
Maximum 20 players per squad. Every player must be able to show proof of age and identity (passport or ID card) on request.
Eligibility
Girls may play in the boys' categories; boys may not play in the girls' categories. Older players are only allowed with written approval from the organisers.
Substitutions
Unlimited substitutions. Up to 5 players may be changed at once in 11 v 11, 3 in the smaller formats.
Fair play
A yellow card carries no suspension; a red card means at least one match. Serious incidents go to the tournament jury, whose decision is final.
A summary, not the document: the full regulations govern in every case.
Age groups
Categories, formats and match times
Nine categories run in parallel, each with its own pitch size, match length and offside rule.
| Code | Year of birth | Format | Offside | Match time | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B16 | 2011 / 2010 | 11 v 11 | Yes | 2 × 25 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B15 | 2012 | 11 v 11 | Yes | 2 × 25 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B14 | 2013 | 11 v 11 | Yes | 2 × 20 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B13 | 2014 | 11 v 11 | Yes | 2 × 20 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B12 | 2015 | 9 v 9 | Yes | 2 × 15 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B11 | 2016 | 9 v 9 | Yes | 2 × 15 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| B10 | 2017 | 7 v 7 | No | 2 × 15 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| G15 | 2012 / 2013 | 11 v 11 | Yes | 2 × 25 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
| G13 | 2014 / 2015 | 9 v 9 | Yes | 2 × 20 min | 24 of 24 left24 of 24 places left | Enter |
Girls are welcome in the boys' categories. Squads are capped at 20 players.
Programme
Day by day
Five days, from the first check-in to the last final.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony is on the evening of the second day. Teams parade in club kit behind their club or national flag, so bring both — it is the photograph most clubs go home with.
Evening of 1 July · The venue is announced closer to the tournament
- 1
30 June
Arrival & registration
Teams arrive, check in and collect their wristbands and match schedules. The evening is for settling in.
- 2
1 July
Group stage & opening ceremony
First group matches across all age categories, then every club together for the opening ceremony in the evening — the venue is announced closer to the tournament.
- 3
2 July
Group stage & the disco
The remaining group matches decide the pools, and the Tallinn Cup disco fills the evening. The coaches' VIP zone is open through the day.
- 4
3 July
Playoffs
Knockout rounds, plus the city entertainment programme for players.
- 5
4 July
Finals & closing
Finals, then the awards and the closing ceremony at the A. Le Coq Arena. It is all over by 15:00 — book your departure late enough that your team is there to collect what it has won.
What’s included
What every team gets
Beyond the football itself — everything below comes with taking part.
At least 6 matches
Guaranteed for every squad, whatever happens in the group stage.
Every match streamed
All matches are streamed live, so family and club-mates at home can watch — and you can review the game afterwards. Clubs are welcome to bring their own VEO camera for analysis: recording is fine, streaming from it is not.
Medals, trophies and special awards
The top three in every category take medals and the winners the cup. Individual awards go to the best player and the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Referees from the Estonian FA
Every match is officiated by association referees, including international officials.
First aid at the pitches
Medical staff are on site at the venues throughout the tournament.
The city programme
The opening ceremony and the entertainment programme across the city.
The Tallinn Cup wristband
Worn for the whole week. It is both the accreditation and the city pass.
- Free public transport in Tallinn on the tournament's designated lines
- Reduced entry to museums and leisure centres across the city
- Free entry to the Tallinn Cup disco
- Your accreditation at the pitches and at the ceremonies
VIP wristbands for the coaches
Every team is given 2 VIP wristbands for its coaching staff, opening the coaches’ zone.
- Entry to the coaches' VIP zone
- A place to meet coaches from the other clubs
- Snacks and drinks throughout the day
Checklist
Before you travel
Five things the tournament office needs from every team, in the order they are needed.
- Before departure1
Insurance for everyone travelling
Medical and property insurance is compulsory for every player and every member of staff. The tournament carries no group cover.
- Bring with you2
Passports or ID cards for every player
Originals, not copies. Ages are checked against the participant list before a team's first match.
- Before arrival3
The participant list
Final squad names, shirt numbers and dates of birth, submitted to the tournament office.
- 15 June 20274
Travel and transfer details
Flight, ferry or coach details so the transfer can meet you — confirmed by 15 June 2027.
- Bring with you5
Two sets of shirts if you can
If both teams turn up in similar colours, the team named second on the schedule changes. Shinguards are compulsory.
If plans change
Cancellation
Beds and meals are booked and paid for well before you arrive, so what a club gets back depends on how much notice we have. These are the terms in §18 of the regulations.
Up to 1 May 2027
80% back
You lose registration fee + 20% of the accommodation fee
After 1 May 2027
50% back
You lose registration fee + 50% of the accommodation fee
After 23 June 2027
Nothing back
You lose registration fee + 100% of the accommodation fee
Worth knowing
- The registration fee is never refunded once paid — it covers the place held in your category.
- A refund is only possible if written notice reaches cup@tallinncup.eu more than one week before the tournament begins.
- Reducing your numbers works the same way as cancelling those places: tell us as early as you can, because beds and meals are committed in advance.
- The refundable damage deposit is separate — it is collected on arrival and returned at check-out.
FAQ
Questions we get every year
Still unsure about something? Write to cup@tallinncup.eu and a real person will answer.
Contact the officeWhen is the registration deadline?
Registration stays open until places in a category are full. Early-bird prices apply until 1 January 2027; transport details must be confirmed by 15 June 2027.
Which age groups can enter?
Nine categories: boys from B10 to B16 and girls G13 and G15, each tied to its birth years — the full table with formats and match lengths is on the tournament page. A club can bring squads in as many categories as it likes.
How many matches will we play?
Every squad is guaranteed at least 6 matches: a group stage first, then a playoff round for everyone — whatever happens in the groups, nobody's tournament ends after three games.
Can we enter more than one team in the same age group?
Yes. Add a second squad for the same category in the registration form and give it a short name (for example “White” and “Blue”) so we can keep them apart in the draw.
What is included in the team package?
Accommodation with full board — dinner on the day you arrive through lunch on the last day, including lunch at the ground on match days — the transfer from the airport, station or port, wristbands carrying free public transport across Tallinn for the whole week, participation certificates and the entertainment programme. A private shuttle between your accommodation and the pitches is not in the package; it is €200 per team per day if you want one, and most teams find the wristband enough.
How many adults travel free?
One adult per 20 players is included in the school accommodation package. Additional coaches, officials and parents are charged at the normal per-person rate.
What happens after we register?
You receive an immediate confirmation with your reference number and an itemised estimate. The tournament office replies within two working days to confirm your place and send an invoice.
How do we pay?
By invoice from the tournament office — there is no card payment on the site. The registration fee is due within 14 days of registering, the accommodation in full by 1 May 2027, and any extras by 15 June 2027.
What if we need to cancel?
The registration fee is not refunded once paid. Of the accommodation fee you get 80% back up to 1 May 2027, 50% after that, and nothing from 23 June 2027 — one week before the tournament — because the beds and meals are already paid for. Written notice has to reach us before that last date.