Locations, Academy Information & Training Tips

Locations by country

The nine academies are spread across eight countries. Nearest major airports are listed for orientation only; always plan routes with current transport information.

• France — Clairefontaine National Football Institute. Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, in the Yvelines department south-west of Paris. Paris airports serve the region.
• Netherlands — Ajax Academy. De Toekomst in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, near the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves the city.
• Spain — La Masia. Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despí, in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Barcelona–El Prat Airport is nearby.
• Portugal — Sporting CP Academy. Alcochete, across the Tagus estuary from Lisbon. Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport serves both Portuguese academies.
• Germany — Bayern Munich Campus. The north of Munich. Munich Airport serves the region.
• Austria — Red Bull Salzburg Academy. Liefering, on the north-western edge of Salzburg. Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart is close by.
• Croatia — Dinamo Zagreb Academy. Zagreb, the Croatian capital, served by Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport.
• Portugal — Benfica Campus. Seixal, on the south side of the Tagus from Lisbon.
• Belgium — Anderlecht Academy. Neerpede, on the western edge of the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht. Brussels Airport serves the city.

Practical considerations

Language. Training and schooling are conducted in local languages: French, Dutch, Spanish and Catalan, Portuguese, German, Croatian, and French or Dutch in Brussels. Language support is a fair question to ask.

Climate. Winters in Munich, Salzburg, Zagreb, Amsterdam and Brussels are colder and darker than in Lisbon or Barcelona, which affects training routines and wellbeing for players who relocate.

Distance from home. Commuting players keep family routines but spend time travelling; residential players save travel time but live away from home. Neither is automatically better.

Visiting. Training grounds are working environments. Public access, if any, is set by each club; check official channels before travelling.

Academy information

Reliable information comes from official sources: each club's or federation's website, verified social media channels and direct contact with academy staff. Official websites for the nine academies' operators are listed on our home page information table. When comparing academies, look for current details on age groups, schooling partnerships, residence arrangements, safeguarding contacts and the pathway beyond under-19 level. Be cautious with third-party sites that sell "academy placements"; professional club academies do not recruit that way.

Training tips

These general tips apply across football, basketball, tennis and athletics. They are not a substitute for advice from qualified coaches or medical professionals.

1. Practise technique little and often. Frequent, short sessions with the ball, racket or implement build skill more reliably than rare long ones.
2. Sample several sports when young. Varied movement builds coordination, balance and agility that transfer to any sport.
3. Prioritise sleep. Consistent, sufficient sleep supports recovery, learning and growth.
4. Eat for training. Regular meals and hydration matter more than supplements for young athletes.
5. Respect growth spurts. Report persistent knee, heel or back pain rather than training through it.
6. Build strength safely. Supervised, technique-focused strength work appropriate to age is widely supported; avoid unsupervised heavy lifting.
7. Reflect on matches. A short note after each game on what went well and what to work on builds self-coaching habits.
8. Keep school strong. Academies value organised, curious learners, and education protects every future path.
9. Plan rest. Scheduled breaks from training help prevent overuse injuries and burnout.

Local club vs relocation