Arsenal and Nottingham Forest set to play in Kamloops

Image Credit: Fallsway Marketing & Media | Alex Beckett

The Kamloops International Cup returns this weekend, once again bringing world-class soccer to our city.

This year’s edition welcomes two of the most recognized academies in English Football, Arsenal U21 Women and Nottingham Forest U21 Men, both making the trip from England to take on some of the best young talent in Western Canada.

Arsenal’s women’s academy is one of the most respected in Europe, producing players who regularly graduate to top professional clubs and national teams. Nottingham Forest’s U21 men’s side competes in England’s Premier League 2 and is known for developing players capable of making the leap to the Premier League.

For the local players involved, it’s a rare opportunity. Kamloops United FC features several athletes from right here in Kamloops, and this tournament offers them the chance to test themselves against elite European competition.

Kamloops has proven it can develop high-level players. Local products Jonathan Rinaldi, now playing in Portugal, and Alessandro Comita, currently in Slovenia, are just two examples of local talent who have made the jump from Kamloops soccer to the professional game in Europe.

Last year’s tournament showed just how competitive Canadian teams can be, as local squads held their own against Fulham's U21 Men's Team and Aston Villa’s U21 Women's team. That same energy is expected again this year, with exciting matchups and big crowds expected at Hillside Stadium.

The Match Schedule and Tickets can be found at kamloopsinternationalcup.com