Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton was the host last week as teams from 60 schools from across England and Wales lived out their dreams across the two days of the 2025 Premier League Primary Stars Football Tournament.
Schoolchildren had the opportunity to experience life as a Premier League footballer, playing on a top-flight pitch at the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, wearing their club's kit, coming out of the players tunnel and competing under the supervision of Premier League and Women's Super League officials.
The players were able to have their photo taken with the Premier League Trophy and medals were presented to the winners, runners-up and teams who have been awarded the most Fair Play points by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited referees.
The 60 primary schools had each won regional qualifying rounds to represent their local club. These qualifiers featured more than 20,000 children from more than 2,000 schools.
On day one, the schools represented each of the 20 Premier League clubs from last season in two competitions, under-11 girls' and under-11 mixed.
It was Newcastle United's Valley Gardens Middle School who claimed victory in the under-11 girls' competition, beating Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Primary School from Manchester United in a tense final that ended up going to penalties.
"When I saved the winning penalty and my friends came running over to me, it felt like a dream," said Valley Gardens goalkeeper Holly.
"When I lifted the Trophy I kept my mind clear. I felt like I needed to enjoy the moment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When we walked through the tunnel this morning for the opening ceremony, we were all feeling proud of ourselves."
The mixed tournament final also went to penalties, with Wolfson Hillel Primary School winning the title for Tottenham Hotspur edging out Dovedale Primary School from Everton.
"It's such a good feeling when you lift a trophy," said Spurs striker Cooper, who was the tournament's top scorer. "It's for everyone who helped us here. We worked as a team, there's no individual that really did it for us. It was just incredible.
"It gives me lots of confidence in my future in football and it helps everyone else out as well. A lot of the kids here, they are really good at football but sometimes they don't get the chance to play, but they all deserve that chance."
One of the parents attending the event and taking in the action was Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who was supporting his son in the mixed tournament.
"Turning up here today as a parent to Molineux Stadium, seeing these children have a Premier League football experience, has been phenomenal," he said. "It's a day they will never forget.
"It's opening the door to what's possible, giving the kids confidence and belief in what they're doing, as well as generating a real positive energy that can lead them on to whatever they want to do."
Day two featured the Premier League Primary Stars National Girls' Football Tournament, with 20 primary schools representing clubs in the Premier League, English Football League and National League.
It was National League side Altrincham who took home the trophy after their Willows Primary School overcame Luton Town's Leighton Middle School in the final.
"To win the trophy is just incredible. It's hard to describe. We've tried so hard, and it just feels so good," said Altrincham player Sophie.
"To come to this and to win it all together - it's the best day.
"Being here will give me a lot more confidence to go forward and keep playing. It's really good to have a girl's tournament because especially in our school, this will inspire a lot of people. I think they all look up to us. We're setting the example."
Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of football to help young people stay active and develop essential life skills. The tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League's free education programme, Premier League Primary Stars, which engaged 1.3 million children in 2023/24 alone.
The Premier League is committed to investing £1.6 billion into wider football, the grassroots game, and communities between 2022 and 2025. This includes funding for community projects run by 164 professional and non-league clubs, supporting people of all ages who need it most, and providing vital funding to non-league, grassroots, and women's clubs to enhance stadium facilities for players and fans.
The number of girls that took part in the tournament, demonstrate the Premier League's ongoing commitment to supporting and providing pathways in the game.
The Premier League invested £21 million into the development of women’s and girls' football between 2022 and 2025.
Of this, £10.5 million is dedicated to the grassroots game, including more than £6 million for a new network of Girls' Emerging Talent Centres. This investment has helped increase the number of girls in the talent pathway from 1,700 to over 6,000 in under three years.
"We're thrilled to see such incredible talent and passion on display at the Premier League Primary Stars finals," said Premier League Director of Fan Engagement Anna Deignan.
"These tournaments truly celebrate the spirit of community football and the importance of the League’s support for girls' football. Congratulations to all the teams - especially our winners - whose dedication and energy embody the very best of the game."