Ask any family to describe a Football Escapes week and the same words come up again and again: two holidays in one. Excitement for the children. Ease for the parents. And time together that the whole family remembers long after the suitcases are unpacked.
Family football holidays with Football Escapes are built around a simple idea. Children train with the footballers they look up to, parents enjoy a genuinely relaxing break in a beautiful resort, and everyone comes back together to share the best bits. It sounds simple. The magic is in how it all fits together.
For the Children: Feeling Like a Pro
From the moment they pull on their personalised Football Escapes kit, something changes. Children who arrived not knowing a soul quickly become teammates, and by the end of the first day there are new friends to look for at the pool.
On the pitch, they are coached by Premier League legends and our UEFA licensed coaches. Courses are tailored for ages 5 to 15, with children grouped by age and ability, so a complete beginner and an academy player can both be challenged in the right way. As we often say, every child is unique, and every child should go home with a smile on their face.
What parents notice most is not always the football. It is the confidence. The child who stands a little taller at dinner, who chats happily to a new friend, who cannot wait to get back on the pitch the next morning.
“The coaches were amazing throughout the programme. They were kind, supportive, encouraging, and always made everyone feel included and valued. They created a positive environment where participants felt comfortable trying new things, building confidence, and learning from mistakes.” – Zoe Tait | IKOS Aria, 2026
For the Parents: A Proper Holiday
Whilst the children are training, parents get to enjoy the resort. A long breakfast. A swim before the pool gets busy. A treatment in the spa, or simply an hour with a book and nobody asking for anything.
Our dedicated guest experience team takes care of every detail, from flights and transfers to restaurant reservations, spa bookings and special requests. There is very little to organise, which, for many parents, is the greatest luxury of all.
And when parents want to join in, there is plenty of chance to. Daily parent challenges, a lively Parent and Legend versus Kids challenge, and of course the legendary Parents’ Match, followed by drinks with the ambassador.
A Week That Builds Day by Day
Across five unforgettable days, the football unfolds with a natural rhythm. Sessions move through attack and defence, passing and possession, technical play and shooting, each brought to life with tips and stories from the legend. Every session mixes training, matches and a fun challenge, so there is always something new to look forward to.
The first evening brings the FE Games Night, a high energy evening of games and friendly competition where brothers and sisters are welcome to join in. The week ends with Challenge Day, the trophy lift and a medal for every child, with families cheering from the sidelines.
The Extras That Make It Extraordinary
It is the thoughtful touches around the football that turn a good holiday into an unforgettable one. Before you travel, every family receives a personalised video message from one of our ambassadors. Every child receives their own personalised Nike kit, and every family is gifted a signed ambassador shirt. A professional photographer captures the week, including the treasured pitch side photo that so many families frame at home.
These are the keepsakes that come home with you. The memories, of course, last even longer.
Beyond the Pitch: Time Together
The football is only part of the story. Afternoons are for swimming, exploring and doing nothing much at all, together. Evenings bring relaxed family dinners and stories from the pitch that get a little bigger every time they are told.
Our coaches are often part of those afternoons too. This summer, families told us again and again about pool games, beach kickabouts and impromptu matches that turned a group of families into a little community by the end of the week.
Handpicked for Families
Every destination we work with is chosen for its exemplary standards, incredible amenities and family friendly accommodation. In 2027, Football Escapes families can choose from:
- The Maldives: water villas with slides and the largest floating water park in the Maldives at Siyam World.
- Greece: the signature IKOS all inclusive experience at IKOS Odisia, IKOS Kissamos, IKOS Aria and IKOS Olivia.
- Spain: sunshine, ultra all inclusive luxury and Michelin curated dining at IKOS Andalusia and IKOS Porto Petro.
- Portugal: elite coaching at The Campus in Quinta do Lago, with stays at Conrad Algarve, Wyndham Grand Algarve or The Magnolia Hotel.
What Families Take Home
Kirk, who stayed at IKOS Andalusia this summer, put it perfectly:
“We loved the fact that whilst the football camp for 2 hours per day was the main event, it was all the other touches around it that make it an unforgettable experience.”
And Lynsey, after a week at IKOS Olivia, summed it up in a single line: “I loved the course was good for parents and the children. It was like Disney for footballers.”
Experience It for Yourself
Excitement for the children, ease for the parents and time together for everyone. That is the Football Escapes difference, and it is why so many families return year after year.
Our 2027 line up of legends is already live, from Easter in the Maldives to summer in Greece, Spain and the Algarve. Discover the magic, and see for yourself why it is so much more than just a football course.
