Yeongju City Youth Soccer Team 'BEES' Wins National Championship, to Participate in European Exchange Tournament

I-LEAGUE Championship Winners
to Gain International Experience in Spain and Portugal

The Yeongju City under-12 (U-12) soccer team 'BEES' will participate in an international exchange tournament held in major European regions, including Spain and Portugal, from November 21 to 29, 2025.

Yeongju City Youth Soccer Team 'BEES'.

This exchange tournament is hosted by the Korea Football Association and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yeongju City, and the Yeongju City Sports Council.

BEES earned the right to compete in the international exchange tournament by winning the I-LEAGUE Championship, which featured representative teams from more than 40 regions nationwide. In Europe, the team will gain international experience through friendly matches, exchange programs, and training sessions with local youth teams. Yeongju City plans to provide administrative support, such as transportation for the team’s departure and return.

Cho Hancheol, Head of the Sports Promotion Division, stated, "This is a valuable achievement made possible by the efforts of our local players," adding, "We expect this European exchange tournament to contribute to the growth of the players and to establishing Yeongju City as a leading soccer city."

Yeongju City has consistently produced soccer talent at the elementary, middle, and university levels through teams such as Punggi Elementary and Middle Schools and Dongyang University. Punggi Middle School recently won the National Autumn Middle School (U-15) Soccer Tournament and has a history of notable victories, including a come-from-behind win at the Geumgangdaegi Tournament. Dongyang University’s soccer team also recorded a victory in their opening match during their debut season in the U-League.