Football Trials in the UK 2026

The English football pyramid runs more trials than anywhere in Europe. From Premier League category one academies to step 6 senior football, there is a route in for almost every player. The hard part is knowing where to apply and what scouts at each level want to see.

This guide is for players, parents and agents looking to land a trial in 2026. Pair it with our getting scouted pillar guide and the football CV template.

How trials work in England

English clubs run two recruitment cycles. Academy clubs scout almost full time, with scholarship offers made at the end of under 16. Senior non league clubs run open pre season trials in July and early August, usually advertised on their official channels.

Academy clubs are categorised one to four under the Elite Player Performance Plan. Category one is Premier League and top Championship. Category four is mostly under 9 to under 11 only. Your route depends on age and current level.

Six steps to a UK trial

1. 1

   Pick your level honestly

   EFL academies, National League youth and step 5 trials all run separately. Apply where you can actually compete this season, not where you wish you were.

2. 2

   Build a public CV

   Scouts in England check a profile before they reply to an email. A live FootballersCV link with stats, photo and a short highlight clip outperforms any PDF attachment.

3. 3

   Find open trials early

   EFL clubs run summer trials in June and July. Non league clubs run pre season trials in late July. Sign up to club newsletters and watch their social channels from May.

4. 4

   Email the right person

   Academy recruitment officer for under 9 to under 16. Head of academy recruitment for scholar age. First team manager or chief scout for senior non league. Always include your CV link in the first line.

5. 5

   Turn up ready

   Two pairs of boots. Shin pads. Water. Tape. Arrive forty minutes early, warm up properly and introduce yourself to the coach running the session.

6. 6

   Follow up the same week

   Thank the coach within forty eight hours. Ask one short question about feedback. Most trialists never follow up. The ones who do get remembered.

Top English academies to know

Category one academies produce most professional players in England. Notable category one academies include Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Southampton, West Ham, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester City, Fulham, Reading and Middlesbrough.

Outside the top tier, category two and three EFL clubs run strong development programmes and are often more open to outside trial requests. Lower league non league clubs at step 3 and below also offer real routes for players aged 16 to 23 who missed the academy system.

How to get noticed without a contact

• Publish your CV at a clean public URL and add it to every email.
• Film one full ninety minute league game per month and clip a two minute highlight.
• Play in the highest standard county or district team you can reach.
• Attend ID days run by EFL clubs and FA approved showcases, not pay to play exposure events.
• Ask your current coach to write a one line reference and add it to your CV.

Frequently asked questions