Organise a football tournament in England
From U7 mini-soccer to veterans, from 5v5 to 11v11: DorsalCUP helps clubs and associations plan their tournament, run the matchday and publish results live. It is free and works on phones, laptops and the TV in the clubhouse.
FA age groups, ready to use
When you create a tournament in England, the platform suggests the usual FA youth formats. The season runs from 1 September to 31 August, and age groups are based on a player's age at 31 August.
In the youngest age groups there are no league tables, so DorsalCUP has a non-competitive mode that hides scores while keeping the fixtures and pitch rotations. Everything is editable, and you can create your own age groups by year of birth.
- U7–U8: 5v5
- U9–U10: 7v7
- U11–U12: 9v9
- U13–U18: 11v11
- Open age and Veterans
When clubs hold tournaments
Most club tournaments take place at the end of the season and over the summer, but Easter, Christmas and club anniversaries are popular too. Many clubs also host international youth tournaments with teams from abroad.
The job is always the same: invite teams, choose a format, make the draw, fit the fixtures onto the pitches you have and keep parents, coaches and spectators informed all day.
From format to fixtures in three steps
A three-step wizard creates the tournament. The platform suggests a format to suit the number of teams and the time available (groups, league, knockout, Gold and Silver Cups, placement matches) and shows how many matches it involves and how long it will take.
Fixtures are spread automatically across your pitches, with breaks and rest between matches for the same team. The draw is verifiable, so every club can see it was fair.
Teams, delegates and spectators
Invitations go out by email in each club's own language, and a public registration link can be shared on Facebook or WhatsApp: clubs request a place, you accept, and the details follow later. In the team area each club adds its crest, colours, number of players and staff, and meals, with no personal data about players.
On the day, delegates sign in to the web app on their phones with a PIN or QR code, record goals against a live clock and keep working offline. The public page, with a QR code and A4 poster, shows live results, standings and the bracket, and TV screens follow the tournament right through to the podium.
Built for clubs in England
Your tournament uses pounds sterling (£) and UK time, and final standings are worked out automatically, with Excel export. The platform is available in six languages, which helps when you welcome teams from overseas.
Public tournaments appear in the directory of tournaments in England. To see it in action before you start, try the live demo at dorsalcup.com/demo.
Frequently asked questions
Is DorsalCUP really free for grassroots clubs?
Yes. It is free for clubs and associations organising football tournaments, from mini-soccer to veterans.
Can I run an U8 or U10 festival without results tables?
Yes. The non-competitive mode hides scores and standings while keeping the schedule and pitch rotations.
Can I show entry fees in pounds?
Yes. Tournaments organised in England show entry fees and meal prices in pounds sterling (£). DorsalCUP does not handle payments, and the platform itself is free.