The Copa Amsterdam (''known for sponsorship reasons as the'' Aegon Copa Amsterdam), formerly known as the ''Gestion Copa Amsterdam'', is an annual youth football tournament, organized and hosted by

AFC Ajax Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax (), also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, or commonly Ajax, is a Dutch professional Association football, football Football team, club based in Amsterdam, that plays in the , the top tier in Dutch football. ...

for under-19 youth teams which takes place at the

Olympic Stadium ''Olympic Stadium'' is the name usually given to the main stadium of an Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports ...

in Amsterdam. The tournament has been contested by some of the strongest under-19 teams in football, with

FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona (), commonly known as FC Barcelona and colloquially as Barça (), is a professional Football club (association football), football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of ...

, Chelsea and Cruzeiro amongst the participating clubs. The tournament is named after its main sponsor, the insurance company

AEGON Aegon Ltd. (stylized as AEGON) is a Dutch public company for life insurance, pensions and asset management. It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and has 26,000 employees as of July 21, 2020. Aegon is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam a ...

and was formerly named after the publishing company Gestion, and is broadcast online in over 59 countries via Eredivisie Live,

Eurosport Eurosport is a group of pay television networks in Europe and parts of Asia, owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery through its WBD Sports unit, it operates two main channels—Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2—across most of its territorie ...

and

Fox Sports Fox Sports is the brand name for a number of sports channels, broadcast divisions, programming, and other media around the world. The name originates from Fox Broadcasting Company in the United States, which in turn derives its name from Fox Fi ...

History

Established in 2005 as part of the annual Amsterdam Sport Weekend, a citywide sponsored initiative to promote 'sports and recreation' within the city of Amsterdam, the Copa Amsterdam is an international football youth tournament held in the historic

since 2010. It was originally held at

Sportpark Sloten Established in 1956, the Sportpark Sloten is a large sports complex located in Sloten, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Surrounding the stadium is an asphalt cycling circuit, 2.5 km in length. Stadia: * The Velodrome Amsterdam, is one of only t ...

, home of

Blauw-Wit Amsterdam FC Blauw-Wit Amsterdam () was a Dutch football club from Amsterdam. The name referred to the colours of their uniform, blue and white. History Founded on 10 May 1902 as a local club in the Kinkerbuurt area of Amsterdam, from 1928 it started to p ...

from its inception in 2005 up until 2009. Each summer the city of Amsterdam and

invites U-19 teams from various top clubs from around the World to play in the tournament. Seven teams are invited and participate in the competition every year with the ninth edition of the tournament having occurred in 2013. Over the years, clubs such as

Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...

Juventus Juventus Football Club (; from , ), commonly known as Juventus or colloquially as Juve (), is an Italian professional Association football, football List of football clubs in Italy, club based in Turin, Piedmont, who compete in Serie A, the ...

Olympique de Marseille Olympique de Marseille (, ; , ), also known simply as Marseille, or by the abbreviation OM (, ), is a French professional Association football, football club based in Marseille which competes in Ligue 1, the French football league system, top f ...

Real Madrid Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (), commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional Football club (association football), football club based in Madrid. The club competes in La Liga, th ...

have had their senior youth teams participate in the tournament. While hosts Ajax have won the tournament twice (2007, 2011), Cruzeiro from Brazil have won it the most, holding a total of three titles to their name (2006, 2008, 2012). Other teams who have brought home the cup include

Panathinaikos Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos (, literally in English: "Panathenaic Athletic Club" or Panathinaikos A.C.), also known simply as Panathinaikós , is a major Greek multi-sport club based in the City of Athens. Panathinaikos is one of the mos ...

(2005), AZ (2009), Chelsea (2010) and

Ajax Cape Town Cape Town Spurs F.C. (formerly known as Ajax Cape Town) is a South African professional football club based in Parow in the city of Cape Town that plays in the National First Division. Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax was their parent club and ma ...

(2013). The prizes and awards were handed out by

Johan Cruijff Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (25 April 1947 – 24 March 2016), internationally known as Johan Cruyff (), was a Dutch professional football player and manager. Regarded as one of the greatest players in history and as the greatest Dutch footballe ...

in 2009 and 2011, in 2010 it was done by

Daley Blind Daley Blind (; born 9 March 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for La Liga club Girona. He has been deployed in a variety of defensive roles – as a left-back, centre-back, and defensive midfielder. He is the son of former Ajax ...

and by

Sjaak Swart Jesaia Swart (born 3 July 1938), commonly known as Sjaak Swart, is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger for Ajax. During his career at Ajax, he amassed a total of almost 600 matches, a record for the club. Biography Sw ...

two years later. Since the 2011 edition, the tournament has been broadcast live on Eredivisie Live on Dutch national television and over the internet with commentary by Leo Driessen, Mark van Rijswijk and Ron de Rijk. The tournament is attended by prominent local football legends such as Frits Barend,

and

Danny Blind Dirk Franciscus "Danny" Blind (; born 1 August 1961) is a Dutch former football player and coach. He played as a defender for Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax and the Netherlands national team. As coach he has managed Ajax and the Netherlands national t ...

, and is frequented by many talent scouts. In accordance with the theme of the annual Amsterdam Sport Weekend however, an amateur team is put together consisting of local youth players, which is then coached by former Ajax players such as

Ronald de Boer Ronaldus de Boer (; born 15 May 1970) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a right or attacking midfielder or right winger. He played for the Netherlands national team as well as a host of professional clubs in Europe. He i ...

did with Men United in the 9th Edition of the tournament. In order to promote sport and recreation in the community, and to give young players an opportunity to present themselves at a high competitive level, coming from Amsterdam and the Region. Other teams that were assembled include the AT5 United, an all-star team composed of local Amsterdam talent, as well as FC NH (North Holland) which was an assembled selection of youth talent from the Dutch province of

North Holland North Holland (, ) is a Provinces of the Netherlands, province of the Netherlands in the northwestern part of the country. It is located on the North Sea, north of South Holland and Utrecht (province), Utrecht, and west of Friesland and Flevola ...

as a whole, and not limited to Amsterdam.

Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors for the tournament consists of seven members, namely John Jaakke,

Theo van Duivenbode Theo van Duivenbode (born 1 November 1943) is a Dutch former footballer who played for Ajax and Feyenoord and was part of their European and Intercontinental Cup victory in 1970. Club career Born in Amsterdam, van Duivenbode made his senior d ...

, Jaap de Groot, René Zegerius, Oege Boonstra,

and Maarten Oldenhof.

Tournament results

2005 (1st Edition)

(Source)

2006 (2nd Edition)

(Source)

2007 (3rd Edition)

(Source)

2008 (4th Edition)

(Source)

2009 (5th Edition)

(Source)

2010 (6th Edition)

(Source)

2011 (7th Edition)

(Source)

2012 (8th Edition)

(Source)

2013 (9th Edition)

(Source)

2014 (10th Edition)

(Source)

2015 (11th Edition)

(Source)

2016 (12th Edition)

(Source)

2017–2018

For the first time in 12 years the tournament was not held in 2017 due to scheduling issues, with the organizational body making an official statement, that the tournament would presume the following year.

2019 (13th Edition)

The following year the tournament was withheld once more. On 25 April 2019, Ajax announced that the tournament would finally presume, and will be held on 29 and 30 June at the

. The invited teams include

Sagan Tosu is a Japanese professional Association football, football club based in Tosu, Saga, Tosu, Saga Prefecture. The club plays in the J2 League, the second tier of Japanese football, since 2025 following relegation from the J1 League in 2024 J1 Leag ...

and

Sparta Rotterdam Sparta Rotterdam () is a Dutch professional football club based in Rotterdam. Established on 1 April 1888, Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands. Sparta currently competes in the Eredivisie, the top flig ...

. (Source)

Participation

By country

Titles and awards

Number of titles

(Source)

Official Hall of Fame

(Source) The players below are part of the Copa Amsterdam Hall of Fame. 2005 *

Milano Koenders Milano Koenders (; born 31 July 1986) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a centre-back or as a right-back for Tweede Klasse club DWS. Koenders also runs his own football school. Club career Koenders is a defender who was born in Amsterdam. He b ...

( DF) *

Niklas Moisander Niklas Kristian Moisander (born 29 September 1985) is a Finnish former professional association football, footballer who played as a centre-back. Moisander was born in Turku, where he played for the local Turun Palloseura, TPS youth team before ...

( DF) * Rydell Poepon ( FW) *

Donovan Slijngard Donovan Carlos Saverio Slijngard (born 28 August 1987), simply known as Donovan Slijngard (), is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a left-back. Club career Ajax Slijngard was born in Amsterdam and came through the Ajax youth ...

( DF) *

Jeffrén Suárez Jeffrén Isaac Suárez Bermúdez (born 20 January 1988), known simply as Jeffrén, is a Venezuelan former footballer who played as a forward or a winger. He started his career with Barcelona, appearing rarely and signing for Sporting CP in 201 ...

( FW) *

Kenneth Vermeer Kenneth Harold Vermeer (born 10 January 1986) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle. After graduating from the Ajax Youth Academy, Vermeer played for Jong Ajax, Willem II on loan, and the ...

( GK) *

Jan Vertonghen Jan Bert Lieve Vertonghen (; born 24 April 1987) is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a defender. Mainly a centre-back, he also played as a left-back. Vertonghen began his senior career at Dutch club Ajax in 2006, and total ...

( DF) 2006 *

Nordin Amrabat Noureddine "Nordin" Amrabat (, ; born 31 March 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Moroccan Botola Pro club Wydad. Amrabat played for Morocco, which he represented at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, 2012 Olympic ...

( FW) *

Mehmet Güven Mehmet Güven (born 30 July 1987) is a Turkish footballer who plays as a midfielder for an amateur side Kavaklıderespor. Career Güven is a product of the Galatasaray Youth Team. He joined the senior squad in 2005–06 and made his debut on ...

( MF) * Özgürcan Özcan ( FW) *

Rui Patrício Rui Pedro dos Santos Patrício (; born 15 February 1988) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for UAE Pro League side Al Ain and the Portugal national team. He is often nicknamed "São Patrício" (''St.'' ''Patric ...

( GK) *

Bruno Pereirinha Bruno Alexandre Marques Pereirinha (born 2 March 1988) is a Portuguese former footballer. He played mainly as a right midfielder, also being able to operate as an attacking right-back. He spent most of his professional career with Sporting CP, ...

( MF) *

Jeffrey Sarpong Jeffrey Nana Darko Sarpong ( ; born 3 August 1988) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for FK Panevėžys. Career Ajax Sarpong joined Ajax when he was just seven years of age, and signed his first contract i ...

( MF) * Robert Schilder ( MF) 2007 *

Vurnon Anita Vurnon San Benito Anita (born 4 April 1989) is a Curaçaoan professional association football, footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or full-back (association football), full-back for club FC Volendam, Volendam. Born in Curaçao and rai ...

( MF) *

( DF) *

Mitchell Donald Mitchell Glenn Donald (born 10 December 1988) is a former professional association football, footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He previously played for AFC Ajax, where he went through the youth program. Born in the Netherlands, he ...

( MF) *

Jan-Arie van der Heijden Jan-Arie van der Heijden (born 3 March 1988) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Club career Ajax Born in Leiden, Van der Heijden made his debut for Ajax in a league match against Roda JC on 4 November 2007 (4 ...

( MF) *

Siem de Jong Siem Stefan de Jong (; born 28 January 1989) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or striker. Playing in the youth academies of De Graafschap and Ajax, he made his professional debut for the Amsterda ...

( MF) 2007 (continued) *

Javier Martina Javier Sylvester Martina (born 1 February 1987) is a Curaçaoan former professional footballer who played as a winger. He has represented the Curaçao national team. Club career Netherlands Born in Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles (now known ...

( FW) *

Gregory van der Wiel Gregory Kurtley van der Wiel (born 3 February 1988) is a Dutch former professional association football, footballer who played as a right-back. Born in Amsterdam, Van der Wiel is a product of the AFC Ajax youth system. In 2010, he was awarded t ...

( DF) 2008 *

Toby Alderweireld Tobias Albertine Maurits Alderweireld (; born 2 March 1989) is a Belgian former professional association football, footballer who played as a Defender (association football)#Full-back, centre-back. Alderweireld began his professional career at D ...

( DF) *

Christian Eriksen Christian Dannemann Eriksen (; born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional Association football, footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United F.C., Manchester United and the Denmark national football team, ...

( MF) *

John Goossens John Goossens (born 25 July 1988) is a Dutch former professional footballer who mainly played as a defensive midfielder, although he was capable of playing in several positions in midfield, and even as a left winger. Since his retirement from f ...

( MF) *

Florian Jozefzoon Florian Marc Jozefzoon (born 9 February 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Spanish Primera Federación club Intercity. Born in French Guiana, he represents the Suriname national team. He is a product of the Ajax You ...

( FW) * Moestafa El Kabir ( FW) *

Marvin Zeegelaar Marvin Romeo Kwasie Zeegelaar (born 12 August 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left-back or a left midfielder. Club career Early years Born in Amsterdam of Surinamese descent, Zeegelaar finished his formation with local ...

( MF) 2009 *

Lorenzo Ebecilio Lorenzo Ebecilio (born 24 September 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch Derde Klasse team Always Forward Hoorn. An Ajax academy product, he debuted for Ajax in the 2010–11 Eredivisie. During the first ...

( FW) 2011 *

Marco Bizot Marco Bizot (; born 10 March 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Brest and the Netherlands national team. Club career Ajax Born in Hoorn, Netherlands, Marco Bizot started his career in his earl ...

( GK) *

Tom Boere Tom Boere (born 24 November 1992) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Terrassa. Club career Early years Born in Breda, Netherlands, Tom Boere grew up in Terneuzen and began his footballing career in Ghen ...

( MF) * Ouasim Bouy ( MF) * Lorenzo Burnet ( DF) * Hyago ( FW) *

Davy Klaassen Davy Klaassen (born 21 February 1993) is a Dutch professional Association football, footballer who plays as an midfielder for Eredivisie club AFC Ajax, Ajax and the Netherlands national football team, Netherlands national team. Club career Earl ...

( MF) * Jody Lukoki ( FW) *

Lesley de Sa Lesly Dumas de Sa (born 2 April 1993) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. He is currently the assistant coach of Ajax' under-14 team. A youth product of Ajax, De Sa went on loan to Go Ahead Eagles and Willem II ...

( FW) 2011 (continued) * Élber Silva ( MF) * Vitinho ( MF)

References

External links

Copa Amsterdam
Official website
Biggest social media event
at Olympic Stadium (Amsterdam) {{Friendly association football tournaments in the Netherlands AFC Ajax Football in Amsterdam Dutch football friendly trophies Recurring sporting events established in 2005 2005 establishments in the Netherlands Youth football competitions

History

Board of Advisors

Tournament results

2005 (1st Edition)

2006 (2nd Edition)

2007 (3rd Edition)

2008 (4th Edition)

2009 (5th Edition)

2010 (6th Edition)

2011 (7th Edition)

2012 (8th Edition)

2013 (9th Edition)

2014 (10th Edition)

2015 (11th Edition)

2016 (12th Edition)

2017–2018

2019 (13th Edition)

Participation

By country

Titles and awards

Number of titles

Official Hall of Fame

See also

References

External links