The Donosticup 2025: History, Teams and News

During the first week of July, San Sebastián transforms. The elegant La Concha promenade ceases to be just a showcase of the Belle Époque era and becomes a catwalk of tracksuits in every color from around the world. In the Old Town, Basque mingles with English, French, Japanese, and dozens of other languages, while thousands of young athletes discover the pintxo culture between matches. The entire city vibrates with a unique energy, a contagious passion that establishes it as the world capital of grassroots football. This phenomenon has a name: the Donosticup.

More than just a competition, the Donosticup is a multifaceted global event based on three fundamental pillars: a test tube where tomorrow’s football legends are forged, a vibrant international cultural festival, and a powerful engine of social change. In its 33rd edition, to be held in 2025, the tournament is not only preparing to break all its participation records, but also to consolidate a legacy that transcends sporting activity, proving that the ball can be the most powerful tool to unite the world.

Donosticup 2025: A Record-Breaking Edition That Consolidates a Legacy

The 2025 edition is shaping up to be the most ambitious and monumental in the tournament’s history, a show of force that solidifies its position as the most important youth football event in Southern Europe.

Impressive Figures: The Global Dimension of the Event

The statistics for the 2025 Donosticup are a testament to its massive scale. Between the July 7 and 13, the capital of Guipuzcoa will host more than 900 teamscoming from more than30 countries, bringing together a figure higher than the 15,000 participants, more than 100,000 will be contested 2,000 parties in a network of more than 50 soccer fields of high-quality natural and artificial grass distributed throughout the region.

This growth is not merely organic, but the result of a deliberate and sophisticated international expansion strategy. The 2025 edition will mark the debut of delegations from Tanzania, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, bringing the total number of nations that have competed in the tournament throughout its history to 86.

Analysis of registrations reveals particular success in key markets. The presence of more than 100 teams from the United States and more than 60 from France. This is no coincidence. This success, especially in the North American market, is based on strategic alliances with academies and tour operators. A clear example is the collaboration with the FC Copa Academy from the USA, which offers its players a complete package managed by the specialized provider “inspiresport”.

This business model transforms simple tournament registration into a comprehensive sports tourism product, including training with Real Sociedad coaches, cultural activities such as surfing lessons, and guided tours, eliminating logistical barriers and making the transatlantic experience much more attractive and accessible for families and clubs.

Calendar and Key Events: A Week of Football and Celebration

The Donosticup is designed as a week-long festival, where the cultural and social experience is as important as the sporting competition. This focus on the “experience economy” is a strategic choice that maximizes value for participants, especially international ones.

• Monday, July 7:Arrival of the teams and accreditation process.
• Tuesday, July 8:The first matches of the group stage begin. The day culminates with the most emblematic event: theOpening Ceremonyat 9:30 p.m. in the Reale Arena, Real Sociedad’s stadium. Described by participants as having an “Olympic Games Opening Ceremony atmosphere,” the 2025 gala will feature performances by
  Leire Martinez, the renowned vocalist of the San Sebastian group La Oreja de Van Gogh.
• Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 July:The group stage continues. The traditional match will be held on Thursday. Coaches’ Match, a moment of fraternization between technicians from all over the world.
• Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July:The tension increases with the knockout phase. The competition is interspersed with social events such as the Donosti Cup Party, culminating with theFinalsduring the weekend and the Closing Galawhich puts the finishing touch to the tournament.

This programming demonstrates a deep understanding that, for a family traveling from another continent, the trip must be about more than football to justify the investment. By curating a holistic experience that includes tourism, culture, and socializing, the Donosticup differentiates itself from its competitors and creates a powerful marketing narrative that goes far beyond the field.

Pure Competition: Categories and Tournament Format

At the heart of the event is a competitive structure designed to maximize participation and enjoyment. The initial phase is contested in groups of 4 or 5 teams, ensuring a minimum of 4 matches for each participant. After this phase, the tournament implements a two-tier knockout system, which is one of the keys to its success. The teams ranked first and second in each group move on to the

Champions League, the final phase for the title. However, the teams that finish in third and fourth place are not eliminated; they go on to compete in the Europa League, a second knockout phase for a consolation trophy.

This system is a masterful piece of tournament design. It solves one of the biggest problems with youth championships: early elimination after a long journey. By ensuring that every team, regardless of their level, can experience the excitement of a knockout match and fight for a trophy until the end of the week, the organization ensures a positive experience and a high level of engagement for everyone. It’s a powerful retention strategy that encourages teams of all levels to return year after year.

The official categories for the 2025 edition are detailed below:

From a Dream to a Legend: More than 30 Years of History

The tournament’s current scale contrasts with its humble beginnings. Its history is a tale of vision, perseverance, and exponential growth that has reflected the globalization of football itself.

The Origins (1992): Born in an Olympic Year

The Donosticup was launched in August 1992, a magical year for sports in Spain with the Barcelona Olympic Games and the start of the Tour de France from San Sebastián. The tournament was an initiative of the sports agency Ari Sport, formed by Javier García, Iñaki Egües and Iñigo Olaizola.

Olaizola was the main driving force behind it, inspired by his experience leading Basque teams to tournaments in Europe and convinced that San Sebastián was the perfect setting for a world-class event. His vision and contribution to the city were recognized in 2009 with theGolden Drum, the highest award given by San Sebastián.

The first edition was modest, with only 32 teamsfrom Spain, France, and Italy. The organizers faced the challenge of unsuitable dates (August), but made a key strategic decision: to invite prestigious youth teams such as Real Sociedad and CA Osasuna to provide the tournament with an immediate seal of quality.

Growth Milestones: The Expansion of a Giant

Since its second edition, the tournament was moved to the first week of July, a date it has maintained until today. Growth has been constant: in its fifth edition it already reached 100 teams, a figure that seemed like a record at the time. By the tenth anniversary in 2001, it had already surpassed 200 teams, growing to over 900 today. Its international vocation was soon evident, with the arrival of the first teams from the Americas and Asia in the third edition, laying the foundations for its current global character.

Pioneers of the Ball: 30 Years of Leadership in Women’s Football

One of the most notable and visionary aspects of the Donosticup is its commitment to women’s football. 1994In its third edition, the first women’s division was created with eight teams. This decision, taken at a time when women’s football had little visibility and shortly after the first official World Cup, was groundbreaking.

This three-decade lead time has given the tournament an unparalleled strategic advantage and authenticity in a rapidly developing market. What began as a values-based initiative has become a brand pillar. Today, the Donosticup boasts a record of 200 women’s teams and more than 4,000 players spread across six categories.

It has attracted elite clubs such as Olympique Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, and her legacy is immortalized by the fact that she was three world champions with Spain in 2023, Irene Paredes, Jennifer Hermoso and Cata Coll, played in the Donosticup during their formative years. This history allows the tournament to position itself not as just another event with a women’s division, but as the benchmark and most credible tournament for women’s grassroots football in Europe.

The Star Quarry: Famous Players Who Illuminated the Donosticup

The list of players who have competed in the Donosticup and reached the world elite is the definitive guarantee of its sporting prestige. Since its first edition, the tournament has been a showcase for talent.

The tournament’s relationship with the prolific Basque youth system, and especially with the club KE of Antiguoko, has created a self-reinforcing cycle of excellence. Local clubs use the Donosticup as a high-level international platform for their most promising talents. The presence of these future stars raises the tournament’s prestige, which in turn attracts top international teams. This increased competitive level offers an even better development environment for the next generation of local talent, a synergy that has been a key driver of the tournament’s success.

The quality was evident from the start, with participation in the inaugural 1992 edition of future professionals such as Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Pablo Orbaiz. FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, has also left its mark, with tournament champions such as Jordi Alba(2001) and Bojan Krkic(2002), in addition to the participation in 2004 of a young man Sergio Busquets just the summer he signed for the Barcelona club.⁶The list of global stars extends to Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernández (participated in 2000) and the Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, who played with the Canary Islands club UD Vecindario.

Beyond the Ball: The Social Soul and Values ​​of the Tournament

The Donosticup has built its identity on a foundation of values ​​that go beyond competition. These social programs are not a peripheral activity, but rather a strategic pillar that gives the tournament a “soul” and differentiates it in a competitive market.

The Donosti Cup Foundation and the “Munduan” Scholarships

The social arm of the tournament is the Donosti Cup Foundation, whose mission is to use football as a vehicle for cultural exchange and social development.⁸Its star program is the Becas “Donosti Cup in the World”, which fully fund the participation of a men’s and women’s team from disadvantaged backgrounds. By 2025, the beneficiaries are:Future Stars Academy de Tanzania and the team Dragons of Lavapiés in Madrid. This initiative offers, in the words of its organizers, an “incredible opportunity that will open the minds” of the young participants.

Football for All: The Donosti Authentics’ Cup

In its commitment to inclusion, the tournament organizes the Donosti Authentics’ Cup, an international competition for teams made up of players with intellectual disabilities. The 2025 edition will be held fifth anniversary and will feature 10 teams from Mexico, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and France. This event seeks to normalize sports practice among the community and convey values ​​of inclusion. Its participants were hailed as the “stars of the day” at the tournament’s official presentation.

A Sustainable Commitment

The tournament has also intensified its commitment to environmental sustainability. One of the most visible actions is the distribution of15,000 reusable bottlesto encourage the consumption of water from the public network and drastically reduce plastic waste.

San Sebastián, the 12th Player: An Unforgettable Experience

The overwhelming success of the Donosticup is inseparable from its host city. The relationship between the tournament and San Sebastián is a strategic symbiosis where both benefit and strengthen each other.

The Economic Impact: A Driving Force for the City

The Donosticup is a vital economic injection for the city. An academic study on its impact concludes that it has a “totally positive” effect on the hotel sector, with data showing a significant increase in turnover and rates of occupancy reaching 100% in some establishments during the week of the event.¹⁹Although there is no official figure for the total impact, its magnitude can be contextualized by comparing it with that of the San Sebastian Film Festival, which generated €47.9 million. With more than 15,000 high-net-worth visitors, it is plausible to estimate that the Donosticup’s impact on the local economy amounts to tens of millions of euros.

The Participant Experience: Much More than Football

The tournament sells an experience, and the city is its main asset. Participants’ testimonials describe San Sebastián as “impressive.” The experience combines high-level football with immersion in the local culture: the routes pintxos in the Old Town, the afternoons at the iconic La Concha beachor excursions to nearby enclaves such as Biarritz.

A First-Class Organization: Quality as a Seal

This experience is supported by organizational excellence, which participants consistently praise: Punctuality, fluid communication and first-class facilities. The professionalism of the arbitration is guaranteed by agreements with the Guipuzcoan College of Arbitrators and the international organization Referee Abroad. In addition, the tournament demonstrates its modernity with a official application for monitoring the competition and the live broadcast of more than 500 matches.

Practical Guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Participants

This section answers the most common questions from teams and families planning to participate in the tournament.

How does a team register for the 2025 Donosticup?

Registration is available through the tournament’s official website, donosticup.com. Registration for the 2025 edition opened on September 18, 2024. Participation is also possible through specialized agencies and tour operators, which offer comprehensive travel and participation packages.

What are the player eligibility rules (age, special permissions)?

Participation is based on year of birth, as detailed in the age group table. Special permits are allowed for players in men’s categories up to the age of 14 (except in B15, B16, and B19) and for players born one year earlier in certain 11-a-side football categories (B19, G19, B16, and B15). Overage players are not permitted in 8-a-side football categories or in B14, G14, B13, and B12.

What documentation is required for age control at matches?

All players must be able to prove their age before each match by presenting an original photo ID, such as an ID card, passport, or membership card.

What happens if two teams have similar colored kits?

Teams must have two kits. If the referee deems the colors similar, the team listed second on the match schedule must change their jersey.

What accommodation options are available for teams?

The organization offers a wide range of options to suit all budgets, from affordable school accommodations to hotels of various categories, including residences and campsites.

Is there a maximum number of players per team?

Yes. Although the specific rules of the Donosticup may vary slightly, tournaments of this type typically allow a maximum of 22-25 registered players per team in 11-a-side football and around 16 in 8-a-side football.

Conclusion: The Future of Football Is in Donostia

The 2025 Donosticup is presented not only as the largest edition in its history, but also as the reaffirmation of a successful model. The tournament has managed to weave a unique value proposition that intertwines three key threads: elite competition, which attracts and projects future football stars; cultural exchange, which turns a week of sport into an unforgettable life experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world; and the social responsibility, which gives the event a purpose that transcends the scoreboard.

Looking to the future, the Donosticup It stands as a beacon for youth sports worldwide. It demonstrates that a massive event can be built without losing its soul, a tournament that understands that true victory lies not only in the trophies lifted, but in the development of athletes, the building of character, and the creation of memories that will last a lifetime. In July 2025, the future of football will once again pass through San Sebastian.

Author: Descubre Donostia