The Shankly Cup heads to Liverpool for the first time – here’s what you need to know

The Shankly Cup is back for its third year – and for the first time, the grassroots football tournament is heading to Liverpool.

The Shankly Cup takes place on Saturday 28 June at Wyncote Sports Ground in Mossley Hill, the 2025 edition brings together eight under-13 teams from across the UK and Ireland for a day of football, friendship, and celebrating the legendary legacy of Bill Shankly.

Organised by Spirit of Shankly – Liverpool’s Supporters Union – the tournament honours one of the most iconic figures in Liverpool FC history, while creating lasting connections between communities through the beautiful game.

This year’s line-up includes:

• Cumnock Juniors and Stewarton Annick (East Ayrshire)
• Lucan United (Dublin)
• Connah’s Quay Nomads (Wales)
• Steven Gerrard Academy, Marshalls, Marine and Kingsley United (Liverpool)

The competition format features group stage matches followed by knockouts, with finals for both the Shankly Cup and the Shankly Shield. It all kicks off at 12 noon, with matches expected to wrap up by 6pm.

While the focus is on football, the tournament is also about something bigger – honouring Shankly’s values of fairness, unity and hard work, and showing how football can bring people together.

Before the action starts, visiting players will get the full Liverpool experience – with a Friday training session led by Steven Gerrard Academy coaches and a special city tour taking in Anfield, Goodison Park and other iconic football landmarks, hosted by Peter Carney and Soccer in the City.

The tournament will be officially opened by none other than George Sephton, the Voice of Anfield, who’s hanging up the mic this season after more than 50 years.

On match day, EFL-standard referees will oversee the games, and each team will receive a commemorative pennant. The winning side will take home a special Shankly statue designed by Tom Murphy, the sculptor behind the famous bronze outside the Kop.

Also attending on the day will be Karen Gill, Shankly’s granddaughter and patron of Spirit of Shankly, along with Paul Khan, Chair of the Union, and Barbara Alexander, Shankly’s niece – all helping to present trophies and cheer on the players.

Stephen Monaghan from Spirit of Shankly, who helped launch the tournament, said:
“Shankly’s legacy has created an unbreakable bond between East Ayrshire and Liverpool. His values are still as important today as they were then – this tournament isn’t just about results, it’s about what football can do for people.”

Spectators are welcome and there’ll be food and drink available on site. Donations to Fans Supporting Foodbanks will be collected on the day, and local volunteers will be helping to make the event run smoothly from start to finish.

Parking is available at Wyncote Sports Ground, with extra spaces available at the nearby Tesco (no time limits or penalties apply).

Follow fixtures and live results here.

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