Run the Ball
2025
Football is more than a sport. It is identity, culture, and a universal language that connects people across borders. Run The Ball was created with that idea at its core. Our purpose is clear: to help football academies around the world grow through international experiences that have a real impact on players, coaches, and families. Argentinian legend Juan Román Riquelme once said, “Running is easy. Understanding the game is the real challenge.” His words capture the spirit behind our name. Inspired by the Spanish term “que corra la pelota”, make the ball run, not the player; our philosophy is simple: let the game flow with purpose, teamwork and intent. At Run The Ball, we do not offer generic football trips. We create customized international football experiences that help academies improve their development model, strengthen their community, and expand their international presence. For those aiming to grow, gain exposure, and live football in a deeper way, Run The Ball becomes a gateway to opportunities that go far beyond a single football tour.
Every football academy is unique, and their goals for football trips abroad are different. As teams differ in objectives, playing style, competitive level, and the type of experience they want for their youth players. That is why our international programs are designed to be flexible. We start with three signature frameworks, and from there we tailor every detail to match the academy’s goals. Our mission is not just to organise a trip. We want to build long-term relationships with academies so they can grow year after year through international football development. Whether your priority is training, competition, cultural immersion, or a mix of everything, we build a program that fits your needs.
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Our Pro Club Tours are designed for academies that want direct exposure to professional environments and high-level football training camps in Europe. These programs provide access to top European youth academies and give players and coaches the chance to learn from experts who train at the highest level. A Pro Club Tour normally includes: - Training sessions led by academy coaches - Friendly matches adapted to your competitive level - Stadium tours, club visits, and behind-the-scenes experiences - Live first team games - Insights into European coaching methodology and player development Players gain confidence by training in new contexts and facing unfamiliar challenges. Football coaches benefit by observing different approaches to talent development, organisation, and football culture. The goal is not only inspiration but practical learning that can be brought back to the home academy.
Competition is a powerful tool for youth growth. Our International Tournaments Program is ideal for academies that want to test their level while experiencing the atmosphere of a global event. This program often includes: - Pre-tournament training to adapt to the destination - Friendly fixtures before the competition - Participation in a recognised international tournament - Cultural and team-building activities throughout the week Players face teams with different styles, levels, and strengths. This teaches them to adapt quickly, manage pressure, and compete with intensity. At the same time, the experience builds team unity. Living, training, travelling, and competing together strengthens the group and creates a shared sense of purpose. For many players, this can be their first true international test, an opportunity they will remember for years.
Football is not only what happens on the pitch. It can even be a great excuse to experience the food, the language, the neighbourhoods, the history, the music, and the rituals surrounding match day. Our Football Culture Programs are made for academies that want to explore all sides of a country while keeping football at the centre of the experience. These programs blend: - Guided sightseeing visits - Local gastronomy - Cultural activities - Leisure experiences - Football events such as stadium tours or match-day experiences With this format, players and families connect with the destination in a more complete way. They discover traditions, build memories outside the pitch, and understand football as part of a bigger social context. All programs can be adapted, mixed or extended, ensuring that each academy receives a personalised experience that supports long-term development.
That moment when a young player steps onto a pitch in a foreign country and realises the world is bigger than they thought. Football changes in those moments, not because of the result, but because the game suddenly feels larger and full of possibility. Football has always moved across borders through ideas, styles, and stories. But for today’s academies, travelling is no longer just an extra activity. It’s a powerful way of learning. Experiencing football abroad exposes players to new ways of thinking. It gives coaches fresh perspectives that refine their methodology. And it brings families and coaching staff together around a shared journey that strengthens the academy’s identity. Run The Ball was born exactly in that space, in the belief that the most meaningful development happens when the game is experienced from different angles, cultures, and contexts. When football stops being routine and becomes discovery. International experiences matter because they push youth players to adapt, stay curious, and step outside of their comfort zone. They remind coaches why they love teaching. They create memories and connections that shape the spirit of an academy. Our purpose is simple: to guide academies into these moments. To help them open new doors, live football more deeply, and grow through the journeys that football makes possible.
Run The Ball operates primarily in Spain and Portugal, two of Europe’s most influential football destinations. Their strong football identity, diversity of clubs, climate, and cultural richness make them ideal locations for international development programs. We work in key cities such as: - Madrid – The epicentre of Spanish football, home of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid. - Barcelona – A global symbol of football philosophy, style, and youth development. - Valencia – A region with several professional academies and a strong Mediterranean atmosphere. - San Sebastián – Known for Real Sociedad’s elite development model and a world-class gastronomic scene. - Sevilla – A city with deep football passion and one of the strongest sporting rivalries in Spain with Sevilla FC and Real Betis. - Lisbon – A capital with top academies, strong football heritage, and a unique mix of history and modernity. Our network includes more than 20 professional clubs and dozens of sports institutions across Spain and Portugal. This allows us to offer reliable experiences in multiple destinations depending on each academy’s goals: training, friendly matches, tournaments, cultural programs, or a complete mix.
