It’s been game on for 28 Christ College players as they visit some of the most hallowed turf in football in England, Portugal, and Spain while also taking their skills on tour.

From famous grounds to schools of renown, the boys have soaked up all the sights and sounds while also donning their College kit to play fast-paced games in England, evening matches around Lisbon, and challenging contests in Madrid.

For 1st XI Manager Matt Cortesi, “it was an incredible tour and a fantastic group of boys to take away”.

“They made this tour a huge success with the positive attitude, humour, comical moments, and the passion for football they brought with them on our journey. We learnt a lot about football, played well, and learnt a lot off the pitch, too.”

Captain Yul Kwon describes the tour as “an amazing opportunity for all of us to experience different styles of football and a range of cultures across several cities and countries”.

“My personal highlights included playing football on the beach right outside our hotel in Portugal, as well as training at world-class clubs such as Benfica, Manchester City, and Real Madrid. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of boys, who supported one another off the field and built friendships that will last well beyond the tour.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Mr Cortesi, Mr Stroud, Ms Morris, Ollie Hawkins, and everyone behind the scenes, for making this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.”

Kicking off their 2026 trip, the boys marvelled at the size of Emirates Stadium – home of Premier League champion Arsenal – in London following their first UK training session at The Hive, the base for Barnet FC. Next up, the boys took in the atmosphere of a Queens Park Rangers vs Preston game at Loftus Road after visiting London landmarks, including Buckingham Place, St James’s Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Covent Garden.

A Fulham vs Manchester United Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage then proved to be a perfect warm-up as the Christ’s College teams prepared for their first tour matches against Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Battling the heat, the College 1st XI gradually found its rhythm but the opposition took the win, 2–0. Meanwhile, the 2nd XI held its ground to secure a 1–1 draw.

Moving on to Aylesbury Grammar School, age-based teams were the order of the day as Year 13s united, some for the first time in several years. For the Years 11–12 and Year 13 sides, College was the winner, 3–1, and 2–1, respectively. It was then onto 600-year-old Royal Latin School where the College haka and football match attracted a big crowd. The last stop on the English leg of the tour was Loughborough Grammar School, where College again impressed on the field, 6–1. Following a final UK training session at the Manchester City campus and a tour of Etihad Stadium, the boys headed to Lisbon.

Beach time in Lisbon was a highlight and much needed after a gruelling itinerary. Over two days, the boys lined up for two intense training sessions with Benfica FC coaches, a tour of Lisbon, and evening games against a formidable Colegio Atlantico Football Academy side in Sesimbra, and Olimpico Montijo (a 2–1 win for College).

Following a trip to Sintra and a visit to Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors), Madrid was the next stop. Starting the day with a city tour and training session at the Real Madrid campus, the senior players then stepped up in the heat to play the impressive Academia Alcobendas before a trip to rural CD Fuentidueña and a 2–1 win.

A trip to the UNESCO world heritage city of Toledo, an Atlético Madrid stadium tour, and a visit to the Legends: Home of Football museum marked the end of the 2026 Christ’s College Football Tour.