City of Cape Town champions grassroots football with five tournaments in October

The City of Cape Town will have a significant impact on local football, as it supports five grassroots tournaments over the next three weeks, engaging over 5,000 players across various age groups, from Under-6 to senior levels.

This initiative underscores the City’s commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering community pride through the beautiful game.

Heading the list of weekend events is the 14th edition of the Rygate Cubs Festival, at the Johnston Road Sports Complex in Athlone. This vibrant festival features 257 teams from 98 clubs, drawing approximately 2,800 youth football players into action.

From October 6 to 11, young athletes in Under-6, Under-8, Under-10, and Under-12 girls’ teams will compete in a six-a-side format, celebrating their love for football while honing their skills on the pitch.

The City’s Events, Recreation, and Parks Departments are providing essential support for the tournament, offering the necessary playing facilities and event services that will enhance the experience for both players and spectators. Matches will commence daily from 3.30pm, extending late into the evening during the week, and between 8am and 5pm on the final day, creating a spectacle of talent and community spirit.

Following closely behind, the Cape Town Cup ignite action from 8 October, further showcasing the City’s rich football culture. Scheduled across four venues - Green Point Shared Fields, Hartleyvale Stadium, Wynberg Military Base, and Athlone Stadium - the tournament has evolved from a simple grassroots festival into an internationally recognised event, attracting clubs from across the continent.

This year, 134 teams will participate in 346 matches, representing 33 football clubs across nine age groups, ranging from Under-7 to Under-23. Well-known clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Namibia’s Julinho Athletic Academy will join local giants as they vie for top honours until October 12.

The climax of this month-long football festivity will be the finals of the SAFA Cape Town Coke Cup on 18 October, held at the Athlone Stadium. Marking its 30th anniversary, this tournament has a storied history of providing a launchpad for emerging football stars in the Cape Town region.

Over six months, the preliminary rounds have seen an impressive 580 men’s clubs, 340 youth teams, and 82 women’s sides battle through knockout action to earn a coveted spot in the finals, where six teams will compete for supremacy in the U18 Boys, Senior Ladies, and Senior Men’s categories.

The City is also extending its support to the Cape Town Tygerberg LFA Knockout Finals scheduled for October 4 at Royal Road, Maitland, as well as the Clyde Pinelands FC’s Junior Fiesta Tournament set for October 25 and 26.

Beyond the sheer excitement of the tournaments this October, the City continues to invest in football development throughout Cape Town.

In the past year alone, significant financial and in-kind support has bolstered various community competitions, including the Bayview U16 Youth Cup, Strandfontein AFC U14 Tournament, and the prestigious Bayhill Premier Cup, among others.