The enthusiasm for youth soccer in Pohang heated up like the spring breeze.
The "2026 Pohang Super Kids Match Youth Soccer Festival," hosted by the Pohang City Football Association, was successfully held for two days from April 25 to 26 at the Pohang Yangdeok Sports Town Soccer Center. The tournament, which bet on two moves—expanding the number of participants and changing the operation method—ultimately drew praise at the site.
Sixty club teams participated in the tournament, mainly from Pohang and the North Gyeongsang region. About 1,000 people, including 600 players as well as coaches and parents, visited the site, proving high interest in youth soccer. It became more than a simple regional tournament and took on a festival atmosphere.
The most notable change was the match format. The tournament ran 8-a-side and 6- and 7-a-side simultaneously and introduced a grade-specific league structure. After group play, top teams advanced to a knockout stage, capturing both competition and experience. The operation, which took skill differences into account, was evaluated as expanding playing opportunities for players and increasing match engagement at the same time.
Reaction at the site was positive. A team official said, "It strongly feels like a tournament that improves every year. Both players and parents were highly satisfied," and added, "It provided an opportunity to grow through matches with a variety of teams. I definitely want to participate again next year."
The Pohang City Football Association also confirmed the results of the changes. An official said, "We adjusted the scale and format to match youth soccer trends, and contrary to concerns, the reaction at the site was very good," and added, "Based on this data, we will create an environment where more teams can participate and players can play freely." He added, "We are grateful to all officials and parents who worked to ensure safe and smooth operations."
The Pohang City Football Association plans to use this tournament as a stepping stone to expand into a nationwide youth soccer festival in the future. Attention is focused on whether it can establish itself as a platform for the growth of Korean youth soccer.
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