With over 700 players, Barça Academy Columbus is the only official FC Barcelona academy in the great Columbus area, for boys and girls aged 6 to 18. The academy aims to develop the players not only as athletes but also, and most importantly, as successful individuals with strong values taught through soccer.
At Barça Academy Columbus players learn the FC Barcelona’s world class soccer methodology, unique coaching style and core values, and engage in competitive programs that will stimulate both their personal growth and their teamwork skills.
Providing indoor and outdoor facilities, the academy offers an all year soccer program certified by FC Barcelona.
Barça Academy is the official soccer academy of FC Barcelona. The main goal of Barça Academy is to give players around the world the opportunity to learn the methodology and values of FC Barcelona.
Barça Academy offers an exclusive annual training program based on the unique Barça style. Players will have the opportunity to learn the same successful methodology where players such as Messi, Iniesta or Piqué emerged from.
Yes, we are the official FC Barcelona training program in the United States. Any other clubs or organizations in greater Columbus using the logo, name or likeness of FC Barcelona are not legitimate.
Boys & girls U8 to U19.
Training begins August 1st.
There are two ways to be part of Barça Academy Columbus.
1) Attend an upcoming scheduled tryout to be evaluated and placed on a competition team.
2) Register for weekly training clinics with the FCB coaches held on Friday evenings.
There will be a $20 fee to attend tryouts. This fee will be applied towards an accepted player’s yearly fees. If a player is not offered a spot in the Barça Academy, the $20 fee will be refunded. If a player is offered a spot, but declines, the $20 is not refunded.
Why a fee? We anticipate there to be a lot of excitement about this new program. We want to make sure the coaches are able to devote their time and energy to kids who truly desire to be part of the program.
Tryouts will be held the week of May 29th for U8 to U14, & U18/U19 age groups, and be held the week of June 4th for the U15 to U17 age groups. See above for tryout dates.
If offered a spot for the Barça Academy, you will receive a welcome email notifying the player of being accepted with additional key information.
An official FC Barcelona Technical Director will move from Barcelona to Columbus for the entire year to conduct the weekly training sessions and teach the techniques of one of the most successful academies. Along with him, local staff coaches and coaches from Spain who will be coaching in the Barça Academy Columbus.
Teams are formed based on age group and level of the players. Upon being accepted into the Academy, the Technical Director determines movement and placement of players on teams based on their current level of play and developmental needs.
After a player is accepted into the Barça Academy, they will receive notification about team training days and times. During the first two weeks of August, there is another evaluation period of the players in order to make any additional adjustments based on Technical Director’s evaluations of the players.
For U12 and below, we aim to keep a 12 to 1 player to coach ratio for training. For U13 and up, we aim to keep a 14/15 to 1 player to coach ratio.
Throughout the season, coaches rotate between teams and age groups. This exposes them to more players in the Barça Academy, and provides the players the opportunity to learn the same methodology through different coaching styles.
FCB coaching staff must meet the highest standards of professionalism and passion to teach the game through the FCB Methodology. We are always looking for highly qualified coaches. Click here to learn more about coaching opportunities.
The Barça Academy is a ten month soccer school starting the first week of August and running through the end of May. Teams will train two times per week and then have competition on the weekends.
Yes, HS age teams will still be competing at college showcases and other tournaments.
The number of tournaments per year will vary depending on age groups and the developmental needs of the teams.
U8 to U10 players play in internal competition league designed and organized by FCB, along with tournaments and friendly matches. Players U11 and up compete in external leagues, tournaments and internal competitions throughout the year.
Several players from each program will be selected to train at the FC Barcelona HQ in Barcelona and participate at the FCB International Tournaments.
Please click here to see program details and cost. Fees include training and league competitions. Tournament and uniform costs are NOT included.
If offered a spot in Barça Academy Columbus, a $400* commitment fee will be required to secure your sport. The commitment fee is non-refundable and is deducted from the total amount due for the program. Click here for fees per age group and program. *includes $20 tryout fee
When joining Barça Academy Columbus, there is a non-refundable commitment fee that secures your child’s spot. The remaining balance is broken up into monthly payments.
There is a 10% discount on program fees for paying in full with commitment fee.
For players in need of hardship assistance, click here to contact us for details about application process.
Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or direct payment from checking account (ACH).
Uniforms will be purchased through www.soccer.com. When ordering window opens, families will purchase required items through soccer.com and orders will be delivered to your house.