By By Mark Orlovac · Fri 05 June 2026
Find out what happened as hundreads of schoolchildren from across England and Wales visit Molineux Stadium for an experience they will never forget.
Last week at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium, hundreds of young people from across England and Wales had the experience of a lifetime over two days of competition at the 2026 Premier League Primary Stars Football Tournament.
Having come through regional qualifiers for the right to represent their local club, the players had the chance to taste life as a Premier League footballer for a day as they wore first-team kit, played in matches officiated by top-flight referees and competed on a Premier League pitch.
Day one featured 40 schools representing season 2025/26 Premier League clubs in mixed and girls' competitions.
In the mixed tournament, Codsall Middle School won a tense final for home side Wolverhampton Wanderers with the help of a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea's Ellingham Primary School, with goalkeeper Edward saving the crucial spot kick.
"I am feeling incredible," he said afterwards. "I am over the moon. In the penalty shootout I was trying my best. When I took my penalty, I missed, but I still had the belief that I could keep my team in it, and I did.
"That moment when we won, there are no words to describe how I was feeling. I don't know how I did it. That's all I could do. It was so tense. We missed penalties, they missed penalties, it was intense.
"It's a dream playing for Wolves at this stadium. Some of the best players in the world have stepped on to this pitch and now I'm playing on it. It's amazing. I'll never forget it. It's been an unbelievable day."
In the girls' tournament, Brighton & Hove Albion's Leechpool Primary School in Horsham, lifted the trophy after beating South Farnham School - representing Chelsea - in the final.
"When we won I couldn't really think, I was just celebrating so much. I was so happy," said Lola, Leechpool Primary School captain. "Playing at a Premier League stadium is quite nerve-wracking but I feel like a professional footballer, it's really fun. Not many people get this opportunity.
"I have learned so much from playing in this tournament. I have seen so many good players, they are all so skilful. Having a tournament like this has made us feel really confident that we can do something like this again.
"Winning here just means so much. It shows what a team we are, how long we've played together and how hard we've tried."
Newcastle United's Ponteland Primary School and Glebe Primary School representing Brentford were recognised with the Fair Play award for their positive attitude and team spirit in the girls and mixed events respectively.
Watching on as Wolves and Brighton won their titles were Wolverhampton Wanderers first-team players Mateus Mané and Anna Morphet as well as social media star Jelani, who was impressed with what he saw on the day.
"Seeing what the Premier League is doing, allowing these players to get that professional experience, it's amazing," he said. "Being a part of this will change their lives. It's showing children that anything is possible.
"Everyone is from different backgrounds. It helps young people feel included. It helps show them that things like this are available to them.
"Knowing that you are part of something and that you are welcome is one of the best feelings. The Premier League is giving these children something that they probably wouldn't have dreamt about even in their wildest dreams."
The second day featured the Premier League Primary Stars National Girls' Football Tournament, shining a light on the Premier League's commitment to supporting the growth of the women's game at all levels.
The tournament, featuring football club charities from across the Premier League, English Football League and National League, was won by Brentford's Sheen Mount Primary School after they came from behind to defeat Southampton's St Francis Church of England Primary School.
"I'm really proud of myself," said Sheen Mount captain Lottie, who scored both goals for her team in the final. "It was so exciting when the ball hit the back of the net. It hasn't sunk in yet but I'm feeling really good.
"We are really determined and we pick each other up a lot. Our heads never went down. We kept on going. That's how we were able to fight back.
"It's such a special moment playing here. Winning this makes me feel a lot more confident about myself and my team. I want to be a professional footballer and this will help because I know I can do it.
"Seeing all the girls’ teams playing here makes me feel excited about the future of women's football and what we can achieve."
Thomlinson Junior School representing National League side Carlisle United took the Fair Play award.
The Premier League Primary Stars Football Tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League Primary Stars education programme and involves thousands of children taking part in numerous regional tournaments for the right to represent their local club.
Funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Foundation, Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of football to help children to be active and develop essential life skills.
Premier League Foundation Chief Executive Alex White said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for children to enjoy their own Premier League matchday experience.
"We hope that everyone who took part at Molineux had a brilliant time playing competitive football, connecting with teams from across the country and building friendships while creating lasting memories."
Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League's primary school education programme that supports children to learn through the power of football in more than 19,000 primary schools across England and Wales.
A total of 104 professional football club charities currently deliver in-classroom Premier League Primary Stars sessions within their local communities.
The free programme also provides teachers with downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers to support children to develop skills and values that are crucial to success in later life.
05/06/2026
05/06/2026
05/06/2026
05/06/2026