Pleiku, 16 July 2026 – The 2026 Vietnam U17 National Championship Finals – Red Dragon Cup officially got underway on the afternoon of July 16 at Pleiku Arena Stadium in Pleiku Ward, Gia Lai Province, bringing together the country’s 12 best youth teams to compete for the national title.
The tournament will run from July 16 to 29, with matches taking place at Pleiku Arena Stadium and the Ham Rong Sports Center, both located in Gia Lai Province.
This year’s finals feature 12 teams: Hanoi, The Cong Viettel I, PVF-CAND, Song Lam Nghe An, PVF, SHB Da Nang, Hue, Lam Dong, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City FC, Dong Thap, and hosts LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
The teams have been divided into three groups of four, with each group playing a single round-robin format. At the conclusion of the group stage, the three group winners, three runners-up, and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
The knockout stage will then continue with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final to determine the 2026 Red Dragon Cup champions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, representatives of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) expressed their hope that the tournament would provide a valuable platform for young players to showcase their talent, strengthen their mentality, and gain valuable competitive experience as they pursue professional careers. The VFF also expressed confidence that this year’s competition would be a successful event and leave lasting memories for both players and supporters.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, hosts LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai U17 took on The Cong Viettel I U17 in the tournament’s opening match at 3:30 p.m. The fixture promised an exciting contest between two of Vietnam’s most respected youth academies.
Hosting the 2026 Vietnam U17 National Championship Finals – Red Dragon Cup also provides football fans in Gia Lai with the opportunity to watch some of the country’s brightest young talents in action, as nearly two weeks of top-level youth football are set to take place in the Central Highlands.
VSN/RPT
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