London, United Kingdom – 18th May 2026 – Stoke City Stadium was brought to life as the nation’s brightest young footballers battled it out for the 2025/26 Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup Finals. Following a standout season that engaged more than 50,000 young players nationwide, champions were crowned and lifted the trophy in front of a roaring crowd, cheered on by none other than Pikachu.
Now in its fourth year, the partnership between the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) and The Pokémon Company International continues to go from strength to strength. But this competition is about more than winning, it's about community, teamwork and friendship. From showcasing skill on the pitch to building lasting bonds off it, players created unforgettable moments every step of the way.
The 2025/26 National Finals winners are:
• U11 Schools’ Cup Champions: Corpus Christi Catholic Primary Academy
• U11 Girls’ Cup Champions: Southborough Primary School
• U11 Small Schools’ Cup Champions: St John’s C.E Primary School
“The atmosphere at this year’s Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup Finals was truly exceptional. From kickoff to the final whistle, the passion, teamwork and skill on display were a joy to witness. It’s events like these that highlight the powerful role sport can play in bringing young people together, building confidence and creating lasting memories. Congratulations to every player and school involved this season,” said Peter Murphy, Senior Director of Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the ESFA, supporting opportunities for children to grow, connect and develop a lifelong love of the game.”
Tony James, Chair, English Schools' Football Association added,
“It has been a tremendous privilege to see the continued growth and success of the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup. This competition represents so much of what is special about schools’ football — opportunity, inclusion, teamwork and enjoyment. Across the country, thousands of young players have had the chance to represent their schools with pride, develop confidence and create memories that will stay with them for years to come.
The atmosphere at today’s Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup Final has been outstanding and the standard of football on display has reflected the dedication of pupils, staff, parents and volunteers throughout the season”, said Tony James, Chair of the English Schools’ Football Association. “On behalf of the English Schools’ FA, I would like to congratulate every team that has taken part and thank The Pokémon Company International for their continued support and commitment to providing such a positive experience for young people.”
The U11 Schools’ Cup, U11 Girls’ Cup and U11 Small Schools’ Cup competitions provide a pathway for teams to progress through three rounds of competition, culminating in the National Finals.
The Pokémon Company International is on a mission to delight their fans through excellent products and meaningful experiences. Through initiatives like the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup, there is continued support of the development of young talent while spreading joy and connection through sport.
Schools who would like to join the action in the 2026/2027 season can contact their local County Schools’ FA to get involved in next year’s local rounds. More information can be found here.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, please visit www.pokemon.co.uk.
About the English Schools’ FA
Since its formation in 1904, the English Schools’ Football Association has become the National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England. The Association provides over 1 million footballing opportunities for school pupils in England, each year.
The Association generates footballing activity for around 700,000 children across the country each season, with over 100,000 pupils taking part in National Schools’ Cup competitions. The ESFA consistently works to create new and improved opportunities for schools’ football players in England, whilst working hard to create equal and inclusive access to the sport, in particular its provision of girls’ football.
The ESFA prides itself on its educational ethos and it values the importance of football in the classroom as much as on the pitch with the Association creating plenty of opportunities to celebrate all the wide-reaching benefits of Schools’ Football. For more information about the ESFA and its many campaigns, including Schools’ Football Week, you can visit the ESFA website or follow @schoolsfootball on Twitter and Instagram