In Chile, football doesn’t begin under the bright lights of professional stadiums. It starts long before that – on community pitches, during weekend matchdays, in the raw excitement of thousands of boys and girls who step onto the field driven purely by passion. That is where the true spirit of FA Cup Chile #LaLiga comes to life: a competition model that is not only growing, but actively shaping the future of football in the country.

A competition built for scale

Developed by AND SPORT, FA Cup Chile has become one of the most important grassroots football platforms in the region. This year, the competition expanded its footprint across four venues in Greater Santiago, creating more opportunities for young players to compete, develop, and dream.

The structure reflects both scale and organization:

Saturdays: LUF and Zapping Sport Center Sundays: Club Deportivo USS and Sportpark Malloco

While LUF, Zapping Sport Center, and Club Deportivo USS officially kick off their season on April 25–26, Sportpark Malloco has already set things in motion, hosting its opening matchday on April 12 and marking the beginning of an exciting new campaign.

Read more: The future of football starts here: LaLiga launches first-ever U12 Club World Cup

2,700 players, 60+ academies

But beyond structure, what truly defines FA Cup Chile is its reach and its impact.

More than 2,700 young players are part of this edition: LUF: 455 players Zapping: 450 players Club Deportivo USS: 650 players Malloco: 1,170 players

Each one represents not just a team, but a process. Over 60 academies are involved, including standout names such as Sport Madrid, Futuro Albo Las Condes, Sport Academy, Acción Fútbol, Pro Training, Fluminense, Rodelindo Román, Juventus Academy, UCH Providencia, Sport Fury, Sportivo Italia, UCH Zona Sur, Escola Gremio, and Academia Golden.

Development across every category

What makes this ecosystem even more powerful is the diversity of its categories. FA Cup Chile brings together both youth and junior divisions from some of the most important clubs and academies in the country, creating a competitive environment where development is constant and standards continue to rise.

At the same time, the tournament is actively contributing to the growth of the women’s game. Through its female category, FA Cup Chile is opening space for young female talents to compete, develop, and be seen, helping to build the next generation of players and reinforcing a more inclusive future for football in Chile.

Behind the scenes, there is also a strong and growing community. Coaches, families, and organizations all play a role in building an environment where values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience are just as important as results on the scoreboard.

Read more: How to Manage Your Tournament?

Growing on and off the pitch

This growth has also been reflected off the pitch. FA Cup Chile has built a strong presence on social media, allowing it to connect with its audience, amplify its visibility, and attract strategic partnerships. As a result, the competition has successfully secured alliances and sponsorships with major brands that believe in the long-term development of Chilean football and are willing to invest in its future.

Powered by Torneo by Sofascore

Among these key partnerships stands out our collaboration with Torneo by Sofascore, a tool that has transformed the way the competition is organized and experienced.

Through the app, FA Cup Chile is able to centralize all its competitions into a single global platform, streamlining operations while adding real value for players, coaches, and clubs. Every match, every goal, and every performance is recorded and accessible, allowing for detailed tracking of player development and team performance over time.

This level of organization not only enhances the competition, it also creates a bridge toward the professional world. Thanks to Torneo, young players are no longer just participating; they are building a trackable journey, one that can project them into future opportunities within the sport.

Because today, developing talent is not just about playing, it’s about visibility, data, and consistency.

More than a tournament

FA Cup Chile represents all of that. It is more than a tournament; it is a platform, a community, and a starting point for thousands of young athletes who are just beginning to write their stories in football.

And while only a few may one day reach the professional stage, every single one of them is already part of something bigger: a movement that believes in the power of football to shape lives.

Because in the end, this is where it all begins.