Young care leavers from across England will converge on Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium this summer for the National Championship Cup 25.

The annual football tournament for care experienced young people aged 16-24 is organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council's Reach Leaving Care Team and Wolves Foundation.

This year, it will see 20 local authority six-a-side teams from around the country go head-to-head in a series of eight-minute matches – culminating with the final on the same day.

The tournament was born out of a conversation with a young person who was no longer involved in football because he lacked the support network to take him to games and training.

A team of young people with care experience came together to form Wolverhampton Warriors and competed against teams from three other local authorities for the first Championship Cup in 2022. The tournament doubled in size in 2023 and was held on the hallowed turf of Molineux for the first time in 2024.

This year's event, on Saturday 14 June from 10am-2pm, is set to be the biggest yet, with interest from councils as far away as North Yorkshire and Milton Keynes, resulting in 200 young people taking part.

Free tickets will be available and details of how to get these will be announced in the coming weeks.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "This is a fabulous opportunity for care experienced young people to play on the hallowed turf of Molineux Stadium, and to follow in the footsteps of so many of their footballing heroes.

"It would be fantastic to fill Molineux and have as many people as possible there to cheer them on, so please make sure you get your free tickets when they become available."

The teams are playing for three cups, with one being the overall Championship Cup. All players will also receive a medal for taking part. Organisers are keen to reach out to businesses who may be able to help by sponsoring either the trophies or the medals. For more information please email Heather Edwards atheather.edwards@wolverhampton.gov.uk or Sam Neath via Sam.Neath@wolverhampton.gov.uk.