Elite Development Tours
General Info & FAQs
What's Included:
The following are included in our Elite Development Tours, but can vary based on the selected tour
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1 Free Trip Per 19 Paying Travelers
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1 Pro Match - Tickets Provided
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2 Matches Against Pro Youth Clubs (or other clubs similar to team level)
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5 Total Training And/Or Classroom Sessions With Pro Club Academy Staff, Including Talent Identification/Scouting Exposure
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A Tour Of A Pro Club's Stadium
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A Pro Club's Shirt/Training Kit
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Round-Trip Airfare
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Lodging Accommodations
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Meals (usually half-board)
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All Ground Transportation and Airport Transfers
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Sightseeing and Cultural Excursions (some admission fees are not included)
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Local Guides and Tour Managers - 24/7 Support
What Is An Elite Development Tour?
An Elite Development Tour is an international soccer experience designed to immerse teams in the training environments of professional clubs and organizations throughout Europe and South America. Unlike traditional soccer tours that focus primarily on friendly games and sightseeing, Elite Development Tours place player development at the center of the experience. We offer these international pro club/organization experiences to Feyenoord, RCD Espanyol, Fulham FC, the KNVB, Racing Club, FC Utrecht, and Leeds United FC.
Participants train directly with professional academy coaches, attend classroom-based tactical sessions, compete against high-level opposition, and experience the daily standards expected within professional player development pathways. Training sessions are conducted at official academy facilities and reflect the methodologies used to develop professional and international-level players.
Premier International Tours offers Elite Development Tours through partnerships with respected professional clubs and organizations in England, Spain, the Netherlands, and Argentina. Each program provides a unique opportunity for players to learn from experienced academy staff, gain exposure to different football cultures, and experience firsthand how elite players are developed in Europe and South America.
Whether your goal is individual improvement, team development, or exposure to world-class coaching environments, an Elite Development Tour delivers an authentic international soccer experience that extends far beyond a typical soccer trip abroad. The opportunity to train with professional clubs/organizations in Europe and South America is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Who Are These Programs For?
Elite Development Tours are designed for ambitious youth, club, high school, college, and academy teams seeking a higher level of soccer development and international competition. These programs are ideal for teams that want to challenge themselves in professional environments while experiencing the different styles of play and coaching philosophies across Europe and South America. These tours are available for boys' and girls' teams across all age groups.
Participants do not need to be professional prospects to benefit from these programs. Teams of varying competitive levels gain valuable insight from professional academy staff while improving technical ability, tactical understanding, decision-making, and overall game awareness. Players are exposed to the standards, discipline, and culture that exist within some of the world's most respected development systems.
These tours are particularly valuable for competitive clubs preparing for future seasons and college programs seeking unique team-building opportunities. The combination of elite coaching, international competition, cultural immersion, and talent identification exposure creates an environment that supports both player growth and team development.
For coaches, the experience also provides a rare opportunity to observe professional development methodologies firsthand and gain valuable insights from academy systems throughout Europe and South America that can be applied within their own programs.
Why Train At Professional Academies?
Professional academies represent the highest standards of player development. Every training session, tactical discussion, and developmental decision is designed with long-term player growth in mind. Training within these environments gives players and coaches a firsthand understanding of what separates elite development systems from traditional training experiences.
During an Elite Development Tour, players work directly with professional academy coaches who develop players within established professional pathways. Sessions focus on technical excellence, tactical intelligence, decision-making, positional understanding, and the habits required to succeed at higher levels of the game. Players learn how professional clubs approach development while experiencing the expectations, culture, and accountability that exist within elite environments.
Training at professional academies in Europe and South America also exposes players to some of the most influential soccer cultures in the world. Whether experiencing the technical creativity and passion of Argentina, the tactical sophistication of the Netherlands, the possession-based philosophies of Spain, or the high-performance environments of England, players gain a broader understanding of the game that can accelerate their development.
Beyond the on-field training, participants benefit from talent identification exposure, classroom-based learning opportunities, professional facility access, and matches against quality opposition. The result is a comprehensive international soccer development experience that helps players, teams, and coaches return home with new knowledge, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of the global game of soccer.
How Does Scouting Exposure Work?
Will players be seen by professional academy coaches and scouts?
Yes. During Elite Development Tours, players train under the guidance of professional academy coaches and technical staff in Europe and South America. These sessions allow coaches to observe players in a high-performance environment and provide valuable feedback on their technical, tactical, physical, and mental attributes.
Are players formally evaluated during the tour?
In many cases, players participate in training sessions and matches where academy staff can assess their abilities. The exact evaluation process varies by club and tour program, but players are consistently encouraged to perform at their highest level throughout the experience.
Does participation guarantee a trial or recruitment opportunity?
No. Elite Development Tours provide exposure to professional academy environments, but participation does not guarantee a trial, contract, or recruitment opportunity. Player advancement decisions are made solely by the club based on their individual scouting and recruitment criteria.
What happens if a player stands out?
If a player demonstrates exceptional ability, academy staff may express interest in further monitoring their development. Depending on the club's processes and the player's eligibility, this could lead to future communication regarding additional assessments, training opportunities, or trial invitations.
Can players receive feedback from academy coaches?
Yes. One of the most valuable aspects of the experience is the opportunity to learn directly from professional academy coaches. Players often receive coaching insights, performance feedback, and recommendations that can help guide their future development.
Is scouting exposure the primary purpose of the tour?
Elite Development Tours are designed first and foremost as player development experiences. The primary goal is to immerse players in a professional academy environment, challenge them against high-level competition, and accelerate their growth. Scouting exposure is an added benefit that can arise from performing well within that environment.
How Much Does An Elite Development Tour Cost?
Each Elite Development Tour price varies based on the selected country in Europe or South America, specific club partner, travel dates, group size, and program inclusions. Each tour page includes detailed starting price information and a breakdown of what's included in the package. Contact us for a tailor-made tour proposal/quote for your team.
Select a tour below to view pricing, inclusions, sample itineraries, and program details:
What Does A Sample Itinerary Look Like?
Every Elite Development Tour is customized based on your team's goals, destination, and club partner. However, the sample itinerary below provides a look at what players can expect during our Feyenoord Elite Development Tour in the Netherlands.
Suggested Daily Program (9 Days, 7 Nights)
Day 1: Friday
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PM - Departure Flight.
Day 2: Saturday
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AM - Arrival.
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AM/PM - Sightseeing in Amsterdam
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PM - Transfer and check in to your accommodation in Rotterdam.
Day 3: Sunday
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AM - Sightseeing in Amsterdam.
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PM - Pro match (Feyenoord or another club).
Day 4: Monday
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AM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Individual player meetings with your coach and Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
Day 5: Tuesday
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AM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Match vs. pro youth academy at Pro Grounds (or another club similar to team level).
Day 6: Wednesday
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AM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Feyenoord stadium tour (De Kuip).
Day 7: Thursday
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AM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Match vs. pro youth academy at Pro Grounds (or another club similar to team level).
Day 8: Friday
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AM - Training or classroom session at Pro Grounds with Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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AM - Individual player meetings with your coach and Feyenoord Academy Staff.
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PM - Team building activity.
Day 9: Saturday
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AM - Return Flight.