Dove Men+Care Portugal Rugby Youth Festival 2026: A Global Celebration of Rugby, Community and Experience
The 18th edition of the Dove Men+Care Portugal Rugby Youth Festival, organised by Move Sports, once again brought together the global rugby community in Lisbon for a weekend defined by competition, connection and shared experience.
Across two intense and vibrant days, the festival welcomed around 3,400 athletes, representing 119 teams from 12 countries: Portugal, Wales, Gibraltar, Belgium, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Scotland, Ireland and England.
More than a tournament, the event continues to establish itself as a meeting point for cultures, playing styles and generations of rugby.
A Weekend of Rugby at Scale
Held at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, with its eight pitches creating a centralised and dynamic environment, the festival delivered a remarkable volume of competition.
Over the course of the weekend:
315 matches were played
A total of 147 hours and 30 minutes of rugby were completed
51 official referees were involved
Among them were referees appointed by Rugby Europe, responsible for officiating matches in the U17, U19 and Girls U18 categories. The event was once again awarded the Rugby Europe approval seal, reinforcing its credibility and international standing.
For those unable to attend in person, all matches were broadcast live via the festival’s YouTube channel, extending the reach of the event to a global audience.
Champions of the 2026 Edition
The 2026 edition crowned a diverse group of champions across age categories, reflecting the international depth of the competition:
U13 – GDS Cascais
Girls U15 – Empire Rugby Academy
U15 – Falcons International
U17 – GD Direito
Girls U18 – Recode Sports
U19 – Academia Portugal
Each final showcased not only competitive quality, but also the spirit of the festival: respect, intensity and shared passion for the game.
A Strong Impact Beyond the Pitch
The international nature of the tournament continues to generate significant impact beyond sport itself.
Teams travelling from abroad contributed to approximately 8,630 overnight stays, reinforcing the event’s role within Portugal’s sports tourism ecosystem and its contribution to the local economy.
Yet the true impact of the festival extends far beyond numbers.
Inclusion, Social Responsibility and Community
One of the defining characteristics of the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival is its commitment to inclusion and social responsibility.
This year, in partnership with Lisbon City Council, the festival welcomed the youth team of the recently formed Lobos de Leiria club, who spent the day at the venue, enjoying matches and sharing the experience of international rugby. They were specially invited to compete at the festival one day.
Also in collaboration with the municipality, two teams from Lisboa Mexe Comigo participated in an inclusive initiative that integrates young people from the Centro Educativo Navarro de Paiva through the municipal programme “Desporto Mexe Comigo”, promoted by Sporting CP through rugby.
Both initiatives were attended by the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, and the City Councillor for Sport, Vasco Anjos, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and community engagement within the festival.
The festival also hosted:
The Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society (SPEM), promoting awareness throughout the weekend
Oh Gui – Rugby for All, with a powerful on-field demonstration ahead of the finals, reinforcing the message of inclusion in rugby
Café Joyeux, the event’s official café, a socially responsible brand dedicated to employing and training young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
These initiatives highlight how rugby can act as a platform for inclusion, awareness and positive social impact.
Sustainability in Practice
Sustainability remained a central focus of the 2026 edition.
In partnership with Sociedade Ponto Verde, recycling awareness initiatives were implemented throughout the venue, supported by the placement of dedicated recycling points.
The festival also renewed its partnership with ECO – Filtered Water, providing official reusable bottles and multiple refill stations across the venue. Participants were encouraged to use both these stations and the existing EPAL water fountains, reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
To minimise food waste, Move Sports partnered with Refood, ensuring that surplus food from the Move Sports Lounge was collected and redistributed across both days of the event.
In terms of mobility, the festival counted on the support of Honda Portugal Automóveis, Official Mobility Partner, which provided a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles for staff, contributing to a more sustainable operational footprint.
The smooth running of the event was also supported by the Junta de Freguesia de Alvalade, which ensured the cleanliness of the venue through dedicated urban cleaning teams throughout the weekend.
More Than Rugby: A Festival Atmosphere
While the matches remain at the heart of the event, the festival experience extends well beyond the pitch.
Families, players and supporters enjoyed a wide range of activities throughout the weekend, including:
Climbing tower
Zip line
Bungee trampolines
Face painting
Karaoke
Mullet and braid station
A diverse selection of food trucks ensured options for all tastes, while the Move Sports Lounge hosted invited guests across both days.
For coaches and staff, the Coaches Corner provided a dedicated space to relax, connect and exchange experiences, reinforcing the social and professional dimensions of the event.
Throughout the weekend, a live band moved across the venue, playing music and contributing to the vibrant and festive atmosphere experienced by all participants.
Looking Ahead
Eighteen editions on, the Dove Men+Care Portugal Rugby Youth Festival continues to grow not only in scale, but in meaning.
It remains a space where competition meets culture, where performance meets experience, and where rugby brings people together from across the world.
A heartfelt thank you to all the players, coaches, families, referees, volunteers, sponsors and partners who contributed to making this edition truly unforgettable.
The journey continues.
📅 The 2027 edition is already scheduled for 3 and 4 April.