Train with UDA. Visit three UDA academy locations. Experience the pathway in person.

A Focused UDA Campus + Academy Experience

This Thanksgiving, UDA is offering a combined men’s immersion tour visiting the University of Bath, the University of Gloucestershire, and the University of Chester.
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This is more than a campus visit or soccer trip. It is a structured academy experience designed for male student-athletes and families who are seriously exploring the opportunity to study, train, and play soccer in England through UDA.

Experience Three UDA Academy Locations in One Trip

The 2026 UDA Men’s Thanksgiving Tour gives players and families the opportunity to experience three distinct university environments and UDA academy settings in one organized visit.

Throughout the tour, players will train with UDA coaching staff, attend university and academic presentations, meet coaches and program staff, participate in match analysis sessions, compete in 11v11 games, and experience student-athlete life in England.
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Families will also have the chance to ask questions, meet UDA staff, understand the academic and athletic pathway, and get a clearer picture of what life could look like if their student-athlete chooses to study and play soccer in the UK.

Why this tour?

Choosing a university pathway overseas is a big decision. This tour is designed to help families see it, feel it, and understand it before making that decision.

During the tour, players and families will have the opportunity to:
  • Train in UDA academy environments
  • Visit Bath, Gloucestershire, and Chester
  • Meet UDA coaches, university staff, and program leadership
  • Attend academic and international office presentations
  • Ask questions about degrees, admissions, visas, student support, and the soccer pathway
  • Experience training, match preparation, match analysis, and 11v11 competition
  • Explore historic UK cities including Bath, Gloucester/Cheltenham, Chester, and London
  • Visit a professional stadium and attend a professional match, subject to fixture availability
  • Experience Thanksgiving in England with the UDA community
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For families, this is also a valuable opportunity to better understand the support system around the player — academically, athletically, and personally.

Who Can Attend?

This tour is designed for male student-athletes who are seriously exploring the UDA university soccer pathway in England.

This experience is a strong fit for:
  • Male student-athletes interested in studying and playing soccer in the UK
  • Players considering UDA Bath, UDA Gloucestershire, or UDA Chester
  • Families who want to better understand the academic, athletic, and personal support available through UDA
  • Student-athletes who want to experience training, campus life, and the UDA environment before making future university decisions

​Participation is by UDA approval to ensure the tour is a strong fit for the player, the family, the academic pathway, and the soccer program.

Tour Details

Dates: Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Recommended Travel: Flights should be booked into London Heathrow Airport
Arrival Airport: London Heathrow Airport
Departure Airport: London Heathrow Airport
Tour Locations: Bath, Gloucestershire/Cheltenham, Chester, and London
Tour Type: Men’s UDA academy immersion tour
Approval: Participation is by UDA approval only

​Players and families should plan to arrive at London Heathrow in time for the official tour pickup on Saturday, November 21. Final arrival instructions will be provided to registered families.

What's Included

The UDA Men’s Thanksgiving Tour includes a strong mix of training, competition, academic insight, campus visits, cultural experience, and organized support.
Tour inclusions:
  • Transportation throughout the official tour, excluding flights
  • Accommodation for 8 nights at designated tour hotels
  • Daily breakfast
  • Select team meals throughout the tour
  • Capelli training kit
  • Training sessions with UDA coaching staff
  • Training opportunities at Bath, Gloucestershire, and Chester
  • Two 11v11 matches
  • Match analysis sessions
  • University campus tours and facility visits
  • Academic meetings and university presentations
  • UDA program presentations and Q&A opportunities
  • Meetings with coaches, staff, and current players where available
  • Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
  • Professional match experience, subject to fixture availability
  • Thanksgiving dinner with the UDA community
  • Organized travel between Bath, Gloucestershire, Chester, and London
  • Support from UDA staff throughout the official tour

​Structured Support, With Travel Flexibility

While students and families are with UDA, they will be supported through a structured and organized tour experience.
Families can expect:
  • A clear daily schedule
  • Airport arrival support
  • Organized transportation between cities, hotels, campuses, training sessions, and games
  • UDA staff support throughout the official tour
  • Coordinated training, games, academic meetings, and presentations
  • Built-in time to explore select cities and experience the UK

​Families may also choose to add additional travel before or after the official tour dates. Many families use the Thanksgiving break as an opportunity to spend extra time in London or explore more of the UK before returning home.
"The Tour was an excellent experience for our son and us as parents. UDA did an exceptional job of providing great training on the university campus. The coaches are excellent with good insight into UK professional football. Playing UK teams highlighted what year round football is all about.

The players got a good sense of what life at a university is like and came away with a renewed energy for football that will carry through with this Fall's High School play. Excellent tour, informative and enjoyable. Highly recommend it."

Eddie Turberville, Past Summer Tour Parent Attendee

​Cost

Player: $2,500
Individual Family Member: $2,300

Refund Policy:
A $300 non-refundable deposit is required.
  • Two or more months before the tour: 50% of the total cost will be charged by UDA
  • One month before the tour: 100% of the total cost will be charged by UDA

​Flights are not included.
"I had a great time! It was a great team environment; everyone was really nice and accepting. I enjoyed meeting new people and playing in a competitive setting. It was a lot of fun. The coaches really care about you and help develop you as a player."

- Miles Petersen, Past Tour Student-Athlete Attendee

Sample Thanksgiving Tour Itinerary

Tentative itinerary — subject to change based on training schedules, match fixtures, university availability, travel logistics, and event schedules.
Friday, November 20, 2026
Recommended Travel Day
  • Families travelling from North America should plan for overnight flights to London, arriving Saturday morning.
  • Some players and families may choose to arrive early and arrange additional hotel accommodation before the official tour begins.

Saturday, November 21, 2026
Arrival in London + Travel to Bath
  • Players and families arrive at London Heathrow Airport and meet the UDA tour group.
  • The group will begin the experience with a Chelsea FC Stadium Tour before travelling to Bath for hotel check-in.
  • The evening includes a team dinner, a review of the week’s schedule, and a player team-building meeting.

Sunday, November 22, 2026
UDA Bath Training + Explore Bath
  • The day begins with breakfast and travel to training.
  • Players will take part in a training session with UDA Bath coaching staff before returning to the hotel to change.
  • The group will then head into Bath city centre for lunch and time to explore one of England’s most historic and memorable cities.
  • Evening time is open for families to enjoy dinner on their own.

Monday, November 23, 2026
University of Bath Visit + Travel to Gloucestershire
  • The group will start the day with breakfast before travelling to the University of Bath for a campus tour, academic meetings, and a university presentation.
  • Following lunch on campus, the group will travel to Gloucestershire and check into the hotel.
  • ​In the evening, players will take part in a training session with UDA Gloucestershire coaching staff, tentatively scheduled at St. Vinny’s, the home ground for UDA Gloucestershire matches. The day will finish with a team dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday, November 24, 2026
UDA Gloucestershire Training + Match Day
  • Players will train with UDA Gloucestershire coaching staff and participate in a match analysis session.
  • The day also includes lunch on campus, a UDA presentation, and a University of Gloucestershire International Office presentation.
  • The evening features an 11v11 match against local or selected opposition, followed by return travel to the hotel.
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Gloucestershire Campus Experience + Travel to Chester
  • The day begins with breakfast and check-out before visiting the University of Gloucestershire facilities used by UDA.
  • Players and families will attend academic meetings and have lunch on campus before travelling to Chester.
  • After hotel check-in, the group will enjoy a team dinner in Chester.

Thursday, November 26, 2026
UDA Chester Training + Thanksgiving in England
  • Players will train with UDA Chester staff before touring the University of Chester campus locations, including Exton Park and the Business campus.
  • The day includes lunch on campus, UDA and university presentations, and Q&A opportunities with staff.
  • Families will have time to explore Chester, including the Christmas markets if available, before gathering for Thanksgiving dinner with the UDA community.

Friday, November 27, 2026
Chester Academic Meetings + Match Day
  • The day includes academic meetings with the University of Chester, a match analysis session, and free time for lunch.
  • In the afternoon, the group will travel to the game venue for an 11v11 match.
  • After the match, players will have dinner with the opposition before returning to the hotel.

Saturday, November 28, 2026
London + Professional Match Experience
  • After breakfast and check-out, the group will travel to London.
  • The day includes a lunch stop and a professional match experience, subject to fixture availability.
  • The group will check into a London airport hotel for the final evening.

Sunday, November 29, 2026
Departure Day
  • Players and families depart from London Heathrow Airport and return home.

​How to Reserve Your Place

Step 1: Complete the Interest / Pre-Approval Form
​Students must complete the interest form so UDA can confirm the tour is a good fit based on:
  • Graduation year
  • Academic interests
  • Soccer profile
  • Program fit
  • Availability for the Thanksgiving tour
Step 2: Registration
Once approved, families will receive the registration link and next steps.
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Please note:
  • Spaces are limited
  • Your place is not secured until registration and payment are received
  • Final hotel and travel details will be provided to registered families
  • Flights should be booked into and out of London Heathrow Airport

​Who This Tour Is For

This tour is designed for serious male soccer players who are considering the opportunity to study and play in England through UDA.
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It is especially valuable for players and families who want to:
  • Compare three UDA university academy locations
  • Understand the academic pathway in the UK
  • Meet coaches, staff, and current players
  • Experience training and match environments
  • Ask questions before making future university decisions
  • Explore whether UDA is the right next step

​This is not a general travel tour. It is a focused UDA academy and university experience built for families who are actively exploring the pathway.

​More Than a Campus Visit

A traditional campus visit can show you buildings, classrooms, and facilities.
This tour goes further.

Students will train, compete, meet coaches, attend academic presentations, experience match preparation, travel between UDA academy locations, and see what life could look like as a UDA student-athlete in England.
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For families, it is a chance to see the support system, ask meaningful questions, and better understand the UDA pathway before making future decisions.

Ready to Experience UDA in England?

Train with us. Meet the people. Visit all three academy locations. Explore whether this pathway is the right fit for your future.
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The 2026 UDA Men’s Thanksgiving Tour is open to a limited group of approved male student-athletes and their families.

For questions about the tour, please contact:

Global Director of Recruitment
JAY SPARROW
CONTACT
BIO
Jay will be attending several showcase events around the country. 

Jay, originally from England moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003. He has a passion for helping student athletes reach their academic and soccer goals. 
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He is experienced in talent identification and player development. He has identified, selected and provided opportunities for many students seeking an international studying and playing experience. 

Jay ran and developed a successful soccer organization in the USA and now has taken his skills to player identification for UDA across the USA ​
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