How much does a football academy in Spain cost?
Price ranges in 2026, what they include and what to check before paying.
Updated October 2026
Short answer
These are the ranges of the prices that academies and agencies publish for 2026 for programmes in Spain with residence. Amounts in dollars are converted approximately.
| Trial week (7 days, with residence) | about €500 – €1,500 |
|---|---|
| 1 month with residence | about €3,000 – €6,000 |
| Half season (about 5 months) | about €17,000 – €36,000 |
| Full season (10 months: residence, studies and competition) | about €22,000 – more than €50,000 |
| Top boarding academies in the USA (for comparison) | more than $75,000 a year |
The difference depends on the club brand, the type of school (international school or online studies), the residence, the level of competition and how many players each coach looks after.
What the price usually includes
- Daily training with qualified coaches, plus gym and injury prevention
- Residence with full board, laundry and 24-hour supervision
- Studies: an international school or online studies, plus Spanish lessons
- Official competition with a federated club (only with stays long enough to get a licence)
- Medical insurance and physiotherapy
- Transport to training and matches, and usually airport pick-up
- Kit, reports and follow-up with the family
What is often charged apart
This is where two prices that look similar can end up thousands of euros apart:
- Flights
- Visa fee and lawyer
- Registration or enrolment fee
- Residence deposit
- Tournaments outside the region
- School extras and excursions
- Pocket money
How to compare two quotes
Two academies can look thousands of euros apart and cost the same once everything is added up. Before comparing, put both quotes on the same basis:
- Programme only or everything in? Some academies publish a monthly price for the sports programme and charge residence, meals, insurance and transport separately. Others quote one closed price with everything in. Always add the three layers: programme + residence and meals + extras.
- Per month or per stay? A «per month» price for a 10-month season is a season price: multiply before you compare.
- What happens if you stay longer? Ask whether what you pay for a trial week or a first month is deducted if the player stays for the season.
- What is in writing? Dates, payment schedule, cancellation and what happens if the visa is refused. If it is not written, it is not included.
6 questions to ask before paying
Which company signs the contract?
It should be a registered company with a tax number and an address in Spain. Pay only to an account in that company's name.
Are the conditions in writing?
Programme, dates, payment schedule, cancellation and what happens if the visa is refused. Before paying anything.
Where will they live and who looks after them?
Ask for the residence, the supervision at night and the name of the person in charge.
Will they play official matches?
Only with a federated licence. With short stays this is usually not possible: ask what matches they will really play.
Is the price final?
Ask for the full list of what is not included, so there are no surprises.
Can I talk to former families?
A serious academy shows real players with names and results, and does not promise trials or contracts.
And TNGS?
We work with one closed price per programme, from one week to the full season, with residence at El Prat, full board, daily training, gym, transport, private medical insurance and physiotherapy included. Flights, personal expenses and tournaments (such as the MIC) are not included. In the full season, the visa and its processing are paid separately.
- A written proposal before you pay anything: programme, dates, fees, payment schedule and conditions.
- Limited places, a residence supervised 24 hours a day (TNGS staff and the El Prat residence) and a child protection protocol with designated protection officers.
- Official competition with a federated licence in the stays that allow us to process it.
- What we do not promise: trials, contracts or scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Is the residence included?
Yes, in every programme: residence at El Prat with full board and 24-hour supervision. Flights are not included.
What if the visa is refused?
In short stays (1 week, 1 month or 3 months), if the visa is refused we refund the whole booking, deducting only the third-party costs we have already paid for that player (for example, the medical insurance). If there are none, everything is refunded. We only need the consulate’s refusal letter. Once the player has arrived in Spain, there is no refund. In the full season, we refund everything except the €2,000 for managing the visa; once the player is in Spain, there is no refund either.
Why don't you publish your fees?
Because each programme is quoted as a closed price, with residence, dates and the player's situation. We send the fees in writing within 48 hours of the application, before you pay anything.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. For one-week, one-month and three-month stays, you pay half when booking and the other half before arrival. For the six-month stay, a deposit and two further payments. For the full season, a deposit and the rest in three instalments (September, November and January); if a family needs it, we can look at a different schedule, always with the season paid before March. You can pay by card, direct debit or bank transfer, and the exact schedule is set out in writing in your proposal, before you pay anything.
Girls: see our girls’ academy page.