Kuramathi Maldives, one of the country’s most established private island retreats, is set to welcome back the Campioni Soccer Academy next summer, reaffirming its positioning as a leading family-friendly luxury destination in the region. Available exclusively through Kuoni in the UK market, Kuramathi will host two consecutive weeks of professional football training in 2026, combining world-class coaching with the natural allure of the Maldivian islands to create a highly marketable proposition for families seeking an active, upscale holiday.
Back by popular demand, the 2026 edition of Campioni at Kuramathi will feature some of English football’s most recognisable names. The first week, scheduled from 27 July to 1 August 2026, will be led by England legend Stuart Pearce MBE alongside UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach Adrian Whitbread. The second week, from 3 to 8 August 2026, will see Manchester United’s treble-winning defender Wes Brown join Adrian Whitbread on the touchline. Across both weeks, Campioni will transform Kuramathi’s impeccably maintained island football pitch into an inspiring training ground for young players aged 4 to 16 years, offering daily sessions that combine technical drills with lessons in teamwork, strategy and sportsmanship.
The guest journey has been carefully designed to align with Kuramathi’s premium leisure positioning. The experience begins with a beachfront welcome reception, where families are introduced to the football stars, receive bespoke training kits and enjoy a relaxed island-style gathering to set the tone for the week. From Monday to Saturday, children participate in interactive training sessions under the guidance of the professionals, benefiting from consistent personal feedback and encouragement. The programme caters to boys and girls of all abilities, creating an inclusive environment where budding players can refine fundamental skills while building confidence and forging new friendships.
Kuramathi’s setting amplifies the appeal of Campioni, offering a unique combination of sports and resort-style relaxation. While children are active on the pitch, parents can take advantage of the island’s extensive leisure offerings, from white-sand beaches and lagoon swimming to wellness experiences and culinary diversity, or they can join the action themselves in the popular midweek Parents’ Game. This friendly fixture has become a highlight of the programme, turning the pitch into a lively arena for all ages and reinforcing Kuramathi’s profile as a destination where families can connect through shared activities in a safe and picturesque environment.
Reflecting on previous editions of Campioni, Stuart Pearce MBE highlighted both the sporting and developmental value of the initiative, noting that each training session reveals new potential and that the academy is as much about inspiring young minds to dream big and work hard as it is about refining football technique. Wes Brown emphasised the satisfaction of seeing children improve over the course of the week and underscored Kuramathi’s suitability as a family destination, pointing to the Maldives as an ideal setting for parents and children to enjoy a memorable and meaningful travel experience together.
The 2026 programme builds on the momentum of the 2025 activation, when local Maldivian football academies from Thoddoo and Rasdhoo joined a special session hosted by John Barnes MBE and Adrian Whitbread. That initiative strengthened community engagement by extending access to world-class coaching to local youth players. Kuramathi and Campioni plan to replicate and enhance this component in 2026, once again offering young Maldivian players the opportunity to train with international legends, supporting talent development while reinforcing Kuramathi’s ties with surrounding island communities.
For Kuramathi, the return of Campioni aligns with a broader strategy of delivering differentiated guest experiences that blend luxury hospitality with curated activities for families. The island’s natural beauty, combined with diverse dining outlets, spacious accommodation options and a broad portfolio of leisure, sports and marine experiences, positions it as an ideal base for a sports-led holiday that does not compromise on comfort or quality. Against the backdrop of the turquoise Indian Ocean, goals scored at dusk on the resort’s pitch take on an almost cinematic quality, creating powerful memories that resonate long after departure.
More than a traditional football camp, Campioni at Kuramathi represents a premium experiential offering where childhood dreams are nurtured, families connect through shared passions and every aspect of the stay is elevated by the signature Maldivian island atmosphere. With Stuart Pearce, Wes Brown and Adrian Whitbread returning to lead the sessions in Summer 2026, Kuramathi Maldives is poised to once again capture the interest of the UK family travel market and reinforce its standing as a destination of choice for guests seeking sport, sunshine and sophisticated island living in one integrated experience.
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