City Football Academies

At the outset of his ownership in 2008, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan set his vision for the future of Manchester City, pledging to bring on-field success and to nurture young talent, whilst remaining proudly rooted in community. The cornerstone of that vision was based in youth development and sustainability, a vision to educate young footballers within a facility supported by the best coaches and programmes. This vision was underpinned by an unwavering commitment to local regeneration – both economic and environmental. After six years of research, development and construction, CFA Manchester opened in 2014 and became home to Manchester City teams of both genders and all age groups. The CFA accommodates Manchester-based staff in one connected operational base acts as global headquarters for CFG.

Following Melbourne City FC’s relocation to a brand-new elite sporting facility within the 84-hectare Casey Fields Sporting Precinct in South-East Melbourne, Melbourne City FC’s CFA 2.0 is now under construction and will become the new home to Melbourne City FC men’s and women’s teams, youth Academy and growing Football School and community programmes.  

Featuring an elite training tablet pitch, four full-sized floodlit pitches, a two-story elite performance and HQ building and space for a 4,000-capacity mini-stadium, the brand new City Football Academy is set to become the new standard for Australian professional sport. 

In March 2021, City Football Group unveiled the Montevideo City Football Academy, the Group's fourth major training facility, alongside those in Manchester, Melbourne and New York. 

The campus is the first of its kind in Uruguay, housing Montevideo City Torque's men and women teams, youth teams, club staff and community foundation projects. It comprises six pitches, a community pitch and a multipurpose building including changing rooms, a gymnasium, a medical centre, dining room and club offices. 

The academy will promote the development of youth talent, as well as boost the club's social work in the Montevideo area.  

In November 2021, CFG launched its first Licensed Academy in Bolivia extending the alliance between the Group and its first Partner Club, Club Bolivar. The facility will focus on youth teams and aim to help improve the standard of football in the country. The facility is currently under construction with estimated date of completion by mid-2024. CFG will focus not only on the creation of the facility, but will also include active support on coaching, methodology, youth scouting, medical and sports science, and safeguarding, among others. The new training facility will follow the design and the features of the CFG standard of a City Football Academy, replicating the models of the existing facilities in the world. The City Football Academy Santa Cruz will feature at least three football pitches, a gym, a dining room, a study centre, as well as a separate residence with a capacity for at least sixty players.

Currently in the planning process after the completion of the land purchase in February 2023, City Football Academy Girona is coming soon. The aim is to fully complete the project in fall 2025 with the First Team interim facility complete by Q1 2024.   

Girona’s new home will have seven football pitches to host the activity of the men’s and women’s First Teams, Genuine and the Academy. The complex includes the 16th century La Massana farmhouse, which will become the Club's institutional headquarters. The Club will work to preserve the environment onsite and make improvements to positively impact the municipality and its neighbours.