Snow Bowl 2026 Crowns Champions Amid Drama and Emerging Talent

The inaugural international youth academy tournament featured tight finals, second-half comebacks, and standout individual performances.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The first edition of the Snow Bowl youth academy tournament concluded in Manchester, New Hampshire, with championship matches in the U-15, U-16, and U-18 divisions. The event featured clubs from Europe, Liga MX, and MLS academies competing in tightly contested group stages and knockout rounds that produced dramatic finishes and highlighted rising talent across multiple age groups.

Why it matters

The Snow Bowl established itself as a premier international youth academy competition in its inaugural year, providing a high-pressure championship environment for developing players to showcase their skills on a global stage. The diversity of styles and competitive balance throughout the tournament underscored the growth of youth development pathways across North America and Europe.

The details

In the U-18 final, the Philadelphia Union claimed the title with a 1-0 victory over Denmark's Lyngby Boldklub, led by a first-half goal from Gunnar Graham and a critical late defensive stand. S.L. Benfica won the U-16 championship 2-0 over the Union, while CF Monterrey rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat Manchester United 4-3 and capture the U-15 crown.

  • The Snow Bowl 2026 tournament took place over five days, concluding on February 15, 2026.
  • The championship matches were played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Gunnar Graham

Scored the game-winning goal for the Philadelphia Union in the U-18 final.

Kevin Sullivan

Philadelphia Union captain who made a critical late defensive play to preserve the U-18 championship victory.

Raimo Djalo

Scored both goals for S.L. Benfica in the U-16 final to lead his team to the championship.

Romualdo Aguirre

Scored a brace to lead CF Monterrey's dramatic comeback in the U-15 final against Manchester United.

Jaice Dore

Manchester United player who finished as the U-15 Golden Boot winner despite his team's loss in the final.

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What they’re saying

“The Snow Bowl delivered an incredible showcase of international youth talent and competitive spirit. These young players demonstrated the future of the game is in good hands.”

— Earnie Stewart, Sporting Director, Philadelphia Union (philadelphiaunion.com)

What’s next

The Snow Bowl is expected to return in 2027 as an annual international youth academy tournament, providing a high-profile platform for the next generation of rising stars.

The takeaway

The inaugural Snow Bowl tournament established itself as a premier global event for youth development, featuring tight matches, dramatic comebacks, and standout individual performances that highlighted the growth of academy programs across North America and Europe.