Local schools will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of St Mary’s and Dulverton Primary School and represent Charlton Athletic at Wembley Stadium in this season’s EFL Kids Cup.
St Mary’s represented the Addicks in the Wembley final of the 2024/25 competition and lifted the national trophy, while Dulverton followed them to the national final in 2025/26, finishing as runners-up after a penalty shootout defeat.
Both teams’ journeys to under the arch began in Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT’s) local qualifiers, with this season’s taking place in October and November. CACT are expanding the qualifying process for the 2026/27 competition, giving more schools across south-east London and Kent the opportunity to represent Charlton in the regional finals and, if successful, the national final at Wembley.
Four local qualifying tournaments will take place, with schools able to enter at one of four venues:
- Sporting Club Thamesmead - Tuesday, October 13th
- Bexley Park, Dartford - Wednesday, October 14th
- Charlton Athletic’s Training Ground, New Eltham - Thursday, October 15th
- Folkestone Invicta FC - Thursday, October 15th
With four local qualifying tournaments taking place for the first time, CACT are aiming to make the competition more accessible to schools across the region. Successful teams in these tournaments will progress to the local finals hosted by CACT at the club’s training ground on Thursday, November 26th.
From there, the winning school will take Charlton’s place in the southern area finals, competing against other Championship clubs for a place in the national final at Wembley in May.
Could your school be the next to represent Charlton at Wembley? Teachers can enter by contacting bradley.marshall@cact.org.uk by Tuesday, October 6th. Entry costs £20 per tournament, with schools able to enter one local qualifying tournament.