The New Season for Dubai Open for Football Academies (DOFA) Has Officially Started
The Dubai Open for Football Academies (DOFA) is back and bigger than ever, bringing together the city’s best youth football talent. This year, ISD Dubai Sports City is proud to co-host the event, which promises a thrilling series of matches and competitions.
With over 50 academies participating, this season is set to be a real spectacle. Adding to the excitement, several teams from LaLiga Academy Dubai will also be participating, reinforcing DOFA’s status as one of the premier youth football competitions in the region.
An All-Round Football Experience
DOFA features three competitive formats that push teams to their limits:
- The League offers a season-long challenge, where teams compete for the top spot through consistent performances.
- The Cup Competition introduces a win-or-go-home scenario, with every match presenting high stakes.
- The final Super Cup pits the league winners against the knockout tournament champions, making it a thrilling contest to crown the ultimate champion.
This unique structure ensures that every game at DOFA is full of excitement and offers players the chance to develop their skills in different match settings.
DOFA has attracted a wide range of prominent football academies, each bringing their top teams to the competition. The best teams from LaLiga Academy Dubai are also participating in this season.
We have 20 teams participating in DOFA this year across different age groups from U7 to U18. There are 14 teams in Advanced and 6 teams in HPC registered to beat their competition in DOFA this year. These teams are well-known for their exceptional training methodologies, making them a significant force in the tournament.
ISD Dubai Sports City: A Proud Co-Host
This year, ISD Dubai Sports City takes on the prestigious role of co-host for DOFA. As part of their hosting duties, ISD will be the venue for Sunday matches, providing state-of-the-art facilities, including Dubai’s first-ever full-sized indoor football pitch.
ISD has a reputation for fostering young talent, and they’re no strangers to success. Last season, the LaLiga Academy Dubai’s teams won several titles. Among our achievements from last year’s DOFA season are:
- U15 B Girls – 3rd Place
- U7 D1 – 3rd Place
- U8 D2 – 3rd Place
- U9 D1 – 2nd Place
- U10 D1 – 3rd Place
- U11 D1 – 1st Trophy and Medals
- U14 D1 HPC – 2nd Place
- U15 D1 (White) – Silver Cup Trophy
These victories underline LaLiga Academy Dubai’s strength, and we will be looking to replicate our success in this year’s competition.
The Rise of Girls’ Football
One of the most exciting developments this year is the enhanced focus on girls’ football, with LaLiga Academy Dubai at the forefront. A few of our girls’ teams will also be participating in the Youth Football League (YFL) under the guidance of our newly appointed Girls’ Head Coach Dafne Martinez. The teams are:
- U12 ADV GIRLS
- U14 ADV GIRLS
- U16 ADV GIRLS
Dafne Martinez is an experienced football coach who has not only trained young girls to enhance their skills but has also instilled sportsmanship qualities in them. The YFL tournament will be a testament to Dafne’s endless efforts and our girls’ immense talent on the ground!
Debut Season of Police Academy Park
LaLiga Academy Dubai recently launched its new location at Police Academy Park. This will be the first time that a team from our new location, Police Academy Park, will be participating in DOFA, which is why this season is pretty close to our hearts. The newly trained team, under the supervision of Gabriel Rojas is all ready to sweep everyone off their feet.
Join the Action
The Dubai Open for Football Academies (DOFA) is more than just a football tournament—it’s a celebration of youth talent, sportsmanship, and passion for the game. With top academies, rising stars, and the involvement of international teams, DOFA promises an exciting season full of unforgettable moments.
Whether it’s the league matches, knockout competition, or the highly anticipated Super Cup, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. As young players showcase their skills and compete for glory, DOFA continues to solidify its reputation as one of the region’s premier youth football events.
