Train in Croatia
Two ways to experience football where the Croatian method comes from: travel with our elite team for camps and tournaments, or live with a Croatian family and train with a local club.
Two ways to go
Choose the experience that fits your player, your dates and your budget.
14 days.
Four regions.
Our next Elite Team Tour runs from 13 to 26 June 2027, timed for the Southeast Asian school holidays. It's built for our U9, U11 and U13 players: around eight football days, three experience and recovery days, plus arrival and departure.
Rather than staying in one city, the group moves through Croatia, from the capital to the coast, so every stage brings new opponents and new places.
- Dates
- Sunday 13 – Saturday 26 June 2027
- Length
- 14 days, 13 nights
- Departure
- Evening of Saturday 12 June from Southeast Asia
- Route
- Zagreb, Istria, Plitvice Lakes, Split
- Age groups
- U9, U11 and U13
- Price
- Shared with registered families first
How the 14 days work
Four stages, each with its own focus.
Zagreb
Croatian football experience
Arrival and acclimatisation, CFA training with Matija and the coaching staff, Croatian academy visits, one or two friendlies, a stadium tour and a coaching masterclass.
Istria
European competition
The group moves to the Pula, Fažana, Rovinj and Poreč area, ideally around an international youth tournament, playing several European teams. Beaches, Rovinj, Pula and the Brijuni islands make it a holiday for families too.
Croatia experience
Recovery and discovery
The football intensity comes down. Plitvice Lakes National Park, then onwards south through Croatia.
Split and Dalmatia
The grand finale
Training, a friendly against a local academy, a football experience in Split, home of Hajduk, the old town and the beach, a final CFA Cup, and a closing dinner and awards. Then home from Split.
Day by day
The June 2027 programme. Details are confirmed closer to the tour.
| Date | Where | Programme | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 13 Jun | Zagreb | Arrive in Zagreb | Welcome and settle in |
| Mon 14 Jun | Zagreb | Recovery and CFA training | A light first session |
| Tue 15 Jun | Zagreb | CFA training and Zagreb | Exploring the capital |
| Wed 16 Jun | Zagreb | Academy experience | Croatian teams start their summer holiday |
| Thu 17 Jun | Zagreb | Croatian club training | Full football programme |
| Fri 18 Jun | Istria | Training and friendly | Move to the coast |
| Sat 19 Jun | Istria | Friendly or tournament | European opposition |
| Sun 20 Jun | Istria | Match and recovery | Beach time |
| Mon 21 Jun | Istria | Training or academy visit | – |
| Tue 22 Jun | Croatia experience | Training and friendly | Lighter football load |
| Wed 23 Jun | Croatia experience | Travel and cultural day | Plitvice Lakes |
| Thu 24 Jun | Split | Training and match | – |
| Fri 25 Jun | Split | Final football experience | – |
| Sat 26 Jun | Split | Final match and departure | Closing dinner and awards |
Croatian schools finish on 15 June, so matches against Croatian teams start from 16 June. The tour ends before Singapore's school holiday does, on 27 June.
Club Boarding: how it works
Flexible stays, built around your player.
Tell us your dates
Choose a start date and how long the player wants to stay, from around two weeks to a month.
We find the club
We match the player with a Croatian first- or second-division club suited to their age and level.
We arrange the stay
A host family, local transport and a CFA contact on the ground throughout.
Train like a Croatian
Daily training with the club, in the language and culture of Croatian football.
Questions parents ask
Which option is right for my child?
The Elite Team Tour suits players who want a structured group trip with matches and tournaments. Club Boarding suits more committed players who want to experience daily life in a Croatian club.
What ages are the Croatia programmes for?
The Elite Team Tour is for our U9, U11 and U13 age groups. Club Boarding is considered case by case, based on age, level and maturity.
Who looks after the players on the tour?
CFA staff travel with the group for the whole tour and supervise every activity, following our safeguarding policy.
Can parents come too?
Yes. Parents are welcome to join for part or all of the tour, and Istria and Split make a great family holiday. Boarding players can also travel with a parent.
How long is Club Boarding?
Typically 14 to 30 days. You choose the dates, and we'll tell you what's possible.
What level are the boarding clubs?
We work with Croatian clubs in the first and second divisions, matched to the player's age and level.
Is Club Boarding a trial with the club?
No. It's a training stay. Trials are arranged separately through our pathway, for players who are ready.
What's included in the price?
Full details of what's included are shared with registered families before booking opens.
Do players need a visa?
It depends on the player's passport. We'll guide families through entry requirements and travel insurance.
How do we register?
Use the forms below. Register interest for the tour, or tell us your preferred dates for boarding, and we'll come back to you with the details.
Register your interest
Choose a programme and tell us about your player. It only takes a few minutes.
Elite Team Tour
Register your interest for the June 2027 Croatia tour. We'll send the full programme, price and what's included.
Step 1: Player
Club Boarding
Tell us when you'd like to go and for how long. We'll find the right club and host family and send you a proposal.
Step 1: Player