The 2026 Guide to Chelsea Academy: How to Use AI Scouting and Soccer Schools to Get a Trial

Table of Contents

1. The Modern Chelsea Academy Pathway (2026)

Chelsea maintains its Category One status under the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). The recruitment rules for 2026 are:

Foundation Phase (U9–U11): Local recruitment only (must live within 1 hour of Cobham).
Youth Development Phase (U12–U16): National recruitment is permitted. Category One clubs like Chelsea can recruit players from across the UK, provided they offer full-time education and accommodation.
Professional Development Phase (U17–U21): This is the Scholarship level. Every player in their U17 year begins with a scholarship agreement before they are eligible to sign their first professional contract on their 17th birthday.

2. How to Get Scouted in 2026: The “Digital & AI” Shift

The days of only sending emails are fading. In 2026, Chelsea has pioneered the use of AI-driven scouting.

A. The aiScout App (Direct Digital Trial)

Chelsea has partnered with aiScout to find talent globally.

Download the aiScout app.
Complete the specific athletic and technical drills designed by Chelsea coaches.
Film yourself and upload. The AI analyzes your data against current Academy benchmarks.
Top scorers are flagged directly to Darren Grace (Head of Recruitment) for an in-person trial.

B. Chelsea Soccer Schools & PDP

The Player Development Programme (PDP) and Holiday Soccer Schools remain the most reliable “open door.” Scouts are present at these sessions specifically looking for “extraordinary talent” to move into the Advanced Development Centres.

3. Contact Information & Application Process

While Chelsea does not host “open trials” (anyone claiming otherwise is likely a scam), you can still alert the recruitment team to your progress.

Official Contact Details:

Recruitment/Trial Enquiries: enquiries@chelseafc.co.uk (Select ‘Academy’ from the dropdown on the official site form).
Soccer Schools Enquiries: soccerschools@chelseafc.com
Telephone: * UK: 0371 811 1955
- Soccer Schools: 01932 596193
Physical Address:
Chelsea FC Training Ground,
64 Stoke Road, Stoke D’Abernon,
Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3PT

4. Required “Scouting Portfolio” for 2026

If you are contacting a scout or applying for the Post-16 Programme, you must provide a professional CV including:

Vital Stats: Position, DOB, Height, and Weight.
Fixture List: Your next 4–6 games (scouts need time to plan a visit).
Performance Data: Any GPS tracking data (from apps like Catapult or STATSports) is highly valued in 2026.
Academic Records: Minimum GCSE Grade 4/C in English and Maths is standard for scholarship entry.

5. 2026 Scholarship Financials

For 2026, the standard Premier League Academy scholarship wage is approximately £165–£175 per week. However, elite prospects on “Scholar-Pro” deals (pre-agreed professional contracts) often earn between £1,000 and £5,000 per week depending on their age and international status.

Important Safety Note

Chelsea FC will never ask for money for a trial. In 2026, many scams exist on social media promising trials in exchange for “registration fees.” Official trials are always fully funded by the club.

Other Ways to Contact Chelsea FC email support for a scholarship trial request and inquires:

How-to-apply-chelsea-club-scholarship-application-online-form

1. Click on the official site link below to contact the club by email: Chelsea Email support Sponsorship/scholarship online official form
2. Select the partnership and sponsorship enquires department from the dropdown menu and then fill in the form.
3. Type your message and scholarship requests in the message box.
4. Fill the other necessary details like your Names, Date of Birth, Email address, and also select your country/region in the dropdown menu.
5. Click on the box that says i am not a robot to solve the reCaptcha test and click on the send my message button.

How to Contact Chelsea by post physical address for a scholarship trial request and inquires:

You can contact the club by post at this address below, please also include at the top the department your mail is intended for :

Mail your application letters and scholarship requests to their physical address.

Chelsea Football Club
Stamford Bridge
Fulham Road
London
SW6 1HS

Here is an alternate address:

Chelsea Football Club Academy,
Cobham Training Ground,
64 Stoke Road, Stoke D’Abernon,
Cobham, Surrey,
KT11 3PT

How to Contact Chelsea by Telephone Numbers for a scholarship trial request and inquires:

Contact Telephone Numbers

GENERAL ENQUIRIES
UK : 0371 811 1955 (International : +44 207 386 9373)

SOCCER SCHOOLS
UK : 01932 596193 (International: +44 1932 596 193 )

What you need to know about the Chelsea Scholarship football Academy for aspiring students/Players:

Chelsea Academy football students scholarship can admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

Chelsea Academy student scholarship does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

We encourage families to apply online as it simplifies submission and provides parents the ability to track the status of their child’s application.

Requirements for Chelsea FC (The Blues) for an Academy Trial Youth Scholarship.

To get scouted for a trial at Chelsea FC Academy the following requirements and information are needed:

Players CV
Covering Letter
Players Vital Statistics: Players position, Age, Date of Birth, Height, Weight, contact email/phone/address, current club, previous clubs, detail of any trials already attended, any representative honours such as school, districts, county etc
Players school they attend.
Fixture list of your current team, including location and kick off time to be passed to scout.
Once you have collated all of the above information, send it Chelsea FC Academy.