Is your child the next Zidane or Ronaldo? If so, the UAE has plenty of big-label options to nurture your child’s talent while keeping them active and teaching them about teamwork and sportsmanship.
Football (soccer) is becoming big business in the Middle East – from the Real Madrid v AC Milan friendly in Dubai on 30 December to the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Big European clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City have opened up football academies in the Emirates. Here your kids can get professional training, put their skills to the test and get a feel of how it would be like playing for a well-known club.
To get you started with turning your little one into the next football prodigy, we have put together a list of football academies. For all of the academies, the next start date is in January.
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| Academy | Location | Cost (AED) | Course length | Age | Description | Emirate |
| Arsenal Soccer School | The Sevens | 1,750 – 4,000 | 12 weeks | 5 – 20 | Prices vary based on the number of sessions per week. The club offers up to three sessions a week, each lasting 1hr 15 mins. Emirates and DNATA staff get 20 percent discounts. | Dubai |
| FC Barcelona UAE Club | Wellington International School & GEMS World Academy |
3,500 – 6,500 | 10 – 32 weeks | 4 – 15 | Training is held three times a week, with minimum membership starting from 2.5 months up to 7.5 months. Parents will also have to pay an admissions fee of AED 1,500, but the cost includes a full kit. Siblings get a five percent discount. | Dubai |
| Juventus Soccer School Dubai | Jadaf | 1,950 – 8280 | 4 – 32 weeks | 5 – 17 | Parents have four packages to choose from, varying in course length. Kids will be provided with a kit and meals during training. There is a sibling discount of 10 – 15 percent. | Dubai |
| Manchester City School of Football | Zayed Sports City | 1,950 – 3,750 | 7 – 10 weeks | 5 – 16 | Football coaching for both boys and girls, with options to book one or two sessions per week. One day of the week is match day, where kids will play against other teams. There is sibling discount of up to AED 200. | Abu Dhabi |
| Real Madrid Foundation Academy | Higher College of Technology, Armed Officers Club & Al Ain International School | 1,250 | 12 weeks | 4 – 17 | Training takes place three times a week and each class is 70 minutes long. Both girls and boys are welcome to join. Parents pay a one-time fee of AED 300, which includes a training kit. Siblings get a 10 percent discount. | Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Al Ain |
| Socatots | Dubai Sports City & selected nurseries | 960 – 1,920 | 12 weeks | 6 months – 5 years | The program is designed for toddlers. It teaches kids basic football and helps improve other skills, such as balance, language and social development. Parents are required to join their children during the class. There is a 10 percent sibling discount. | Dubai |
| Spanish Soccer School | Dubai Sports City & Repton School | 950 – 2,250 | 10 weeks | 5 – 16 | Cost depends on number of classes per week and age of the child. There are three terms; each lasts for 10 weeks. Classes are open to both boys and girls. | Dubai |
