"Somapa Pattana School" from Bangkok wins the Northern Region championship in the "Chang Junior Cup 2026".
Chang Natural Mineral Water reaffirmed its mission to support football by launching the "Chang Junior Cup 2026," a youth football tournament for players aged 13. This premier competition aims to develop young talent and find Thailand's best teams, awarding one "Most Talented Player" prize and two "Sportsmanship Awards" for outstanding skill and fair play, with winners earning a chance to experience world-class football in England.
The fourth qualifying round of the "Chang Junior Cup 2026" took place in the Northern Zone from 1 to 3 May 2026 at Alpine Golf Resort, Chiang Mai, featuring 36 teams. The final was honored by the presence of Warapong Anchleesangkat, Sales Manager of Region 5 at Chang International Co., Ltd., representing Chang Natural Mineral Water, Nathat Sitthikorn, General Manager of Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai, along with distinguished guests who attended to watch the matches and present awards.
The final match saw "Somapa Pattana School," a newcomer from Bangkok, face off against "NT Academy," the host team from Chiang Mai. Somapa Pattana had earlier defeated the two-time Northern Zone champion and 2024 national runner-up, Nakhon Sawan Municipal Sports School, 3-0 in the semi-finals. Demonstrating superior form, Somapa Pattana beat NT Academy 2-0 to claim the Northern Zone title and secure the right to compete in the national finals against leading youth clubs across Thailand. The ultimate goal is to select the best 13-year-old youth team to win an exclusive opportunity to experience world-class football in England.
The "Chang Junior Cup 2026" is supported by the Football Association of Thailand Under Royal Patronage, Leicester City Football Club, Butroom Co., Ltd. (manufacturer and distributor of the Ari sportswear brand), and Molten (Thailand) Co., Ltd., all collaborating to develop and elevate Thai football to the international level.
The next qualifying round of the "Chang Junior Cup 2026" will be held in the Northeastern Zone on 8-9 May at the training ground of Buriram United Camp (Khao Kradong), with the semi-finals and finals on 10 May 2026 at the Chang Training Ground in Buriram. The final qualifying round for the Bangkok and Metropolitan Zone will accept team registrations from 4-8 May 2026, for 48 teams, with matches held from 19-24 May at the ThaiBev Football Academy. The top three teams from this last zone will qualify for the national finals.