There’s something about the best soccer tournaments that bring out some of the most passionate fans anywhere. The atmosphere is always incredible, the soccer is top notch, and the host cities are fascinating to explore. If you love soccer, here are the 12 best soccer tournaments you’ll want to experience in your lifetime:
The World Cup
The venerable World Cup is undoubtedly the top soccer tournament in the world. It’s the one that tops the bucket lists of soccer fans around the globe. With the action underway in North America, the sport’s passionate fanbase will finally be treated to the spectacle they’ve been anticipating for four long years.
While we’ll soak up every minute of the 2026 World Cup action, we are already looking forward to the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The 2030 tournament will be the second hosted by three countries, and will celebrate its centenary buy kicking off the tournament with matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The World Cup is always a spectacular event and 2030 might just be the best one yet.
The Summer Games
One of the biggest soccer tournaments in the world, the Summer Games tournament is unique in that it features both a men’s and women’s competition. While the tournament dates way back to 1900 for the men, the women’s competition wasn’t introduced until 1996. With both winners decided in just over two weeks, it’s an action-packed tournament and lots of fun to watch. It’s also one of few sports at the Summer Games that allows guests to see events outside of the host city. In 2028, the Summer Games soccer matches will be played in seven U.S. cities, including New York, Nashville, and San Diego, prior to the Finals at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
Our favorite thing about the Summer Games soccer tournament is that it affords fans the opportunity to see more than just soccer. At the 2028 Summer Games in L.A., soccer fans will have the opportunity to supplement their experience with 35 other sports. Not only is it an incredible soccer experience, it’s also one of the biggest sporting events in the world, hosted in one of the most diverse countries on the planet.
UEFA Champions League
Another of the world’s best soccer tournaments, the UEFA Champions League sees the top clubs in Europe battle it out to earn the European Champion Clubs’ Cup. As one of the most watched annual sporting events in the world, it’s incredibly popular not just in Europe but around the globe. With over 70 years of history behind it, it continues to grow in popularity.
The 2027 Champions League Final will take place in Madrid, Spain on June 5, 2027 and there’s never been a better reason to visit this beautiful city. Regardless of who wins it all next year, we know this will be one exciting tournament.
UEFA European Championship
The UEFA European Championship (also known as the Euro) is a quadrennial event and takes place on the even-numbered years between World Cup years. As one of the best soccer tournaments on the continent, it determines the champion of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). A total of 24 national teams qualify to compete for the elusive title of European Champion.
The next edition of the UEFA European Championship will take place in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland from June 9 to July 9, 2028. A total of eight cities will host matches, with each host city offering something unique to spectators. It promises to be a spectacular event and one not to miss!
Women’s World Cup
Along with the Summer Games Tournament, this is one of the biggest and best soccer tournaments in the world for women. Like the men’s tournament, it is held every four years and always highly anticipated. In 2027, 32 of the best women’s national teams will compete over the course of a month for bragging rights to the title of World Cup Champion.
The next Women’s World Cup will take place between June 24 and July 25, 2027, and it’s going to be a good one. Why? Well, it always delivers great soccer, and this edition will be held in one of the most beautiful countries in the world: Brazil. Eight amazing cities throughout the country will act as Women’s World Cup hosts, providing a spectacular backdrop to the popular tournament.
Copa América Finals
Perhaps the most passionate festival of soccer in the world, the Copa América is an international tournament primarily for countries in South America, with a reputation for matches with electric atmospheres. Many of the greatest players in soccer history have competed in the tournament, which is the longest-running international competition in the world, predating even the World Cup.
The Copa América has been hosted in many of South America’s most stunning destinations, always with a passionate fan base. Though details have yet to be confirmed, the next Copa América is scheduled for 2028.
Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious prize in South American domestic soccer, an annual tournament to decide the best club team on the continent. It has always been the biggest competition in South America, with Brazilian club Flamengo claiming the most recent title (their fourth) in 2025.
The final of the 2026 tournament will take place on November 28th at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. With Brazil dominating the last seven finals, it will be interesting to see if another country can end their streak.
UEFA Europa League
The sister tournament to the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League has gone through many guises in its history but has developed into one of the most open and exciting annual soccer competitions in the world. While the Champions League is home to most of Europe’s established superpowers, the Europa League features a much wider range of new and interesting teams and destinations.
The final of the 2026 Europa League took place in the historic city of Istanbul on May 20. Aston Villa won the Europa League trophy with a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg. The next UEFA Europa League Final will play out in Frankfurt, Germany on May 26, 2027.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is a biennial tournament to decide the best international team on the continent of Africa, though the event will switch to a quadrennial cycle beginning in 2028. A total of 24 teams battle it out to determine who is the finest team in Africa. Egypt is the most successful team in the competition’s history with seven wins, and Cameroon is not far behind them with five.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with the host cities and venues still to be determined.
FA Cup
The FA Cup is English soccer’s most prestigious knockout tournament and the oldest soccer competition in the world. The first tournament took place in 1871, and in the 150 years since it has remained the biggest and most coveted prize in English domestic soccer. This is the best tournament in the world for an underdog story, as the FA Cup is famous for its upsets, with the smallest teams in the country frequently defeating the biggest and richest.
Manchester City are the current holders, while Arsenal is the most successful team in the competition’s history with 14 victories, closely followed by Manchester United with 13. The final is always held at London’s Wembley Stadium, often regarded as the “home of soccer.” The next final will take place on May 22, 2027.
Copa Del Rey
Founded in 1903, the Copa del Rey – or King’s Cup – is the oldest tournament in Spanish soccer and is one of the best and most historic knockout competitions in the world. For over a century, it has seen some of the biggest and most successful clubs in world soccer compete for the historic annual prize, which predates even Spain’s domestic league competition.
Real Sociedad are the current holders, winning their third title in 2026. Barcelona is the most successful team in the competition’s history, having won the Copa del Rey an amazing 32 times. The final of the 2027 Copa del Rey will be held at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. Each year, the host city combines a rich sense of soccer history alongside some of the greatest and most desirable cities in the world, like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville.
Asian Cup
You could say that the Asian Cup is the biggest regional soccer competition in the world, because it determines the best international team from Asia, the biggest continent on the planet and home to almost 5 billion people. Held for the first time in 1956, the competition is held every four years in a different Asian country. Previous hosts have included Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia, who are part of the Asian Football Confederation.
The current holders are Qatar, who also hosted the last edition of the tournament in 2023. The next Asian Cup is scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia.
If you want to hear more about any of the best soccer tournaments in the world, we’d love to help you out. Our amazing luxury soccer travel package experiences include the best of the best in each host city; from accommodations to match day experiences to transportation, we’ve got everything covered so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful game. Contact us to start creating your ultimate soccer itinerary to your preferred tournament.
