Kamloops to Host English Premier League Teams in Summer Matches

Kamloops Rivers FC to host Fulham U21 Men and Aston Villa U21 Women

In a significant milestone for the Tournament Capital, Kamloops Rivers FC will be hosting two English Premier League soccer teams for a series of games at the Tournament Capital Centre this summer.

The two U.K. teams, Fulham U21 Men and Aston Villa U21 Women, will be playing six matches from late July to mid-August. This event is expected to bring the highest level of the game to the community, with two globally iconic clubs participating.

“This is going to be an unbelievable experience for our community. Never have we brought two Premier League clubs to Canada, let alone to our community here in the Tournament Capital,” said Lyle Dos Santos, general manager of Rivers FC.

The event was announced on Friday at the TCC, with representatives from Rivers FC, Kamloops Youth Soccer Association, Thompson Rivers University, Tourism Kamloops, and the City of Kamloops in attendance.

Fulham FC will compete from July 25 to August 3, and Aston Villa will play from August 5 to August 18. In addition to the games, there will be a series of community events, including youth soccer clinics and opportunities for local coaches to attend training sessions.

“The part that excites us the most here at Rivers FC, candidly, is bringing the highest level of the game to the community for our kids and the families,” Dos Santos said.

Dos Santos was “shocked” by the level of engagement that came from the U.K. when planning this event, noting that there are a number of teams who expressed interest in participating not only this year but next year as well.

In a statement, Sean Cullen, academy director for Fulham Football Club, said they are “delighted” to be visiting Kamloops later this summer.

“With one eye on the World Cup in two years’ time, we are excited about working with Rebirth Soccer, Thompson University, Rivers FC, and the City of Kamloops to support the further development of football in Canada,” Cullen said.

Josephine Cottam, girls academy operations manager for Aston Villa, said the squad is full of “exciting young talent.”

“For the development of women’s football, as our country enters the qualifying rounds of the Euros as the current holders, we hope for big crowds to come along and see how exciting this young group are,” she said.

Coun. Katie Neustaeter, this month’s deputy mayor, said she’s grateful to see the profile of the sport continue to be raised in Kamloops.

“This partnership is a significant milestone for Kamloops, showcasing our dedication to soccer and solidifying our reputation as a hub for major sporting events in the Tournament Capital of Canada,” Neustaeter said.