Youth development isn’t just about what happens on the pitch, it’s about what we learn off it, too. That was the central idea behind the ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange, a dedicated education and knowledge-sharing day held on 23 April as part of the inaugural Wings Cup.
The second day was formulated by the European Club Association (ECA), and hosted by Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The event brought together over 90 academy leaders, coaches, technical staff and development experts from across the global game. The goal: to explore how clubs can evolve their approaches to youth development through open dialogue, critical reflection and practical innovation.
Structured as part of the wider ECA Knowledge Exchange programme, the ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange invited participants to share best practice and tap into emerging trends across four key development pillars which are used amongst the Red Bull Group of clubs: Ball, Game, Body and Mind.
Pouya Yaghoubinia, Senior Football Development Manager, Youth Football, ECA, said; "We at ECA are delighted to have played a key role in the delivery of the inaugural Wings Cup, in close cooperation with RB Leipzig. This partnership has been instrumental in shaping a tournament that is both innovative and forward-thinking. The ECA Knowledge Exchange on Day 2 further highlighted the power of shared learning and open collaboration among all participants. If we are to truly raise the standards of youth development across Europe, greater cooperation, bold ideas and a united commitment to progress will be essential. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations. Our sincere thanks go to RB Leipzig and the Red Bull Group for their outstanding efforts in hosting such an inspiring and impactful event.
Among the standout sessions was a case study from Sporting Clube de Portugal, focused on long-term player growth and the importance of consistent environments. Meanwhile, data specialists Kinexon Sports offered a glimpse into the future with a presentation on live performance tracking, with their technology playing a key part in the first day of the tournament by enabling players and spectators to track individual stats. The conversation sparked interesting discussions around the balance between the use of technology and intuition in youth football.
The first and third days of the event offered participants the opportunity to continue their conversations pitchside, with the Wings Cup tournament providing a live setting to see some of the most promising young players in action.
The tournament, hosted by RB Leipzig, featured six leading development clubs from around the world:
- RB Leipzig (Germany)
- Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil)
- New York Red Bulls (USA)
- Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
- PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Southampton FC (England)
The competition was split across two formats. Day One, the Individual Day, saw players consistently mixed into new teams for a series of 5-a-side matches, placing the focus on adaptability, decision-making and personal impact. The Team Day, held on the final day, saw players rejoin their respective club squads for a fast-paced 5-a-side tournament, with innovative rules designed to maximise tempo and creativity.
The final session of the ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange provided an unforgettable highlight, with all 60 participating players joining a special ECA panel discussion featuring Jürgen Klopp, Marcel Schäfer, Yussuf Poulsen and David Wagner. Their insights on leadership, resilience and youth development gave players and staff a unique opportunity to hear directly from some of the most respected figures in the game.
Looking back on his experience at the Wings Cup, Marcos Tavares, Assistant Sports Director at NK Maribor, praised the event’s focus on football and the added value brought by the ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange; "The Wings Cup was a truly outstanding event, with football remaining at the centre of the experience throughout. The ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange on the second day added real depth to the tournament, offering an excellent opportunity to continue important conversations and explore new ideas."
The final day saw Red Bull Salzburg emerge as winners, capping off a competition that placed learning, flexibility and individual growth at its heart. Reflecting on the success of the inaugural Wings Cup, Cameron Campbell, Head of Player Development at RB Leipzig Academy highlighted just how important the role ECA took in bringing people together for the tournament.
“One of the best things that could have happened was the buy-in from ECA. As a youth coach, going to tournaments and travelling abroad, we often lost opportunities to share knowledge, make contacts and truly network. The idea of creating a new and innovative tournament, while also bringing together some of the most knowledgeable and forward-thinking people in youth development, all with the goal of sharing best practice, was truly special. Everything we have done at this tournament has been a first attempt, and we are really happy that the majority of what we set out to achieve has worked. We look forward to building on this experience for the future.”
Collective Progress Through Collaboration
For ECA and its member clubs, the ECA Youth Knowledge Exchange was more than just a learning event, it was a chance to reinforce the belief that better youth development is a shared responsibility. The game’s challenges are evolving, and so must our responses. That means creating space for new thinking, cross-club collaboration and peer-driven progress.
By combining immersive club-led conversations with real-time examples on the pitch, the Wings Cup delivered a clear message: the future of youth football lies not only in developing great players, but also in developing the people, ideas and environments around them.