As European football continues to evolve, so too must the way clubs approach youth development. That’s the thinking behind the Wings Cup, an innovative new competition hosted by RB Leipzig and supported by European Club Association (ECA) and Red Bull. Designed to test, challenge and inspire, the event brings together top academy players and leading club minds for a format that focuses as much on learning as it does on winning.
Six top clubs will take part in the inaugural edition of the tournament:
- RB Leipzig (hosts) (Germany)
- Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil)
- New York Red Bulls (USA)
- FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
- PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Southampton FC (England)
Tournament Format
Running from 22-24 April 2025, the Wings Cup begins with an Individual Day. The event will kick off with a series of 5v5 matches in which players are randomly mixed into new teams for each game. Rather than building around fixed squads, players are placed in constantly shifting environments where adaptability, communication and resilience are key. Points are awarded based on individual performance from wins, goals and in-game contributions. The first day will place an emphasis firmly on decision-making and impact rather than pure team results.
The format creates an intense learning environment where players are pushed out of their comfort zones and asked to problem-solve in real time. The ability to adapt and lead across changing scenarios is prioritised over traditional systems or structures.
With the first day dedicated to individual performance, the format transitions to a more familiar structure on Team Day, will see players face off against each other while playing for their respective clubs in 5-aside games. Once again, special rules will be implemented designed to increase the pace and flow of play. These include fixed offside lines, rolling substitutions and being able to either kick or dribble the ball back into play from the sidelines.
ECA Knowledge Exchange Showcases Youth Development and Club Innovation
For ECA, the opportunity to pair this on-pitch innovation with off-pitch insight was key. Held on 23 April, the ECA Knowledge Exchange offers club representatives, coaches and technical leaders a chance to reflect on the wider themes behind the tournament.
Opening with a joint session between ECA and RB Leipzig, the day invites participants to explore the thinking behind the Wings Cup format, followed by group discussions designed to challenge assumptions and surface new ideas.
A session led by Sporting Lisbon focuses on talent development pathways, while the afternoon includes a thematic breakdown across four key areas: Ball, Game, Body and Mind presented by a diverse mix of contributors including GNK Dinamo Zagreb, PSV Eindhoven, Crystal Palace FC and the Saudi Pro League.
The afternoon will see key-note presentation from data analytics company Kinexon Sports focusing on their real-time data offering, whilst Ligue 1 side AS Monaco FC will offer insights to their youth academy.
A busy day is capped off with a live panel featuring RB Leipzig attacker Yussuf Poulsen, Head of Sports Marcel Schäfer, Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer Jürgen Klopp, and Zoe Johnson, Managing Director- Women and Girls Football at Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. offering real-world reflections on player transition, development challenges and leadership lessons from inside the game.
The Wings Cup is more than just a tournament. It is a deliberate statement about how youth football can evolve, blending competition with education, and individual growth with shared learning. For ECA’s Youth Football department, it is a model that aligns closely with its long-term goals: empowering clubs, encouraging innovation and supporting environments where players and practitioners can thrive together.
As the demands of the modern game continue to shift, formats like this provide fresh answers and a platform for clubs to shape the future of development together.