The Gia Lai Cup 2026 football tournament kicked off featuring 15 teams competing in a 7-a-side format with a total prize pool of 50 million VND, vietnam.vn reported. The opening match pitted the Dak Lak Lottery Club against the Trinh Nho Driving School.
Fifteen Teams Battle Across Regional Divisions
Organized jointly by TQB Sports & Entertainment and HLC Media, the tournament draws clubs from Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, Quy Nhon, Pleiku, and various districts across Gia Lai province. Sponsors supporting the event include the Dong Luc Group, Iwin Sports, and Neymar Sport. The lineup features the reigning VPL-S7 champion, Dak Lak Lottery Club, alongside CT Express Quy Nhon, Nam Dong Cafe, Quang Thanh Petroleum, Hoai Thu FC, Trinh Nho Driving School, Ngoc Nghia FC, T&T Pleiku Durian, Cong Dai FC, Trung Phong Mang Yang, Quyen Charging Station, Nam Luyen Supermarket FC, Be Non CPR, Hong Anh Wedding Services, and Chi Lang High School.
Tournament Schedule and Match Format
Group stage matches run from October 16 through October 19. The top-performing sides advance to the quarterfinals on October 20. Semifinals are scheduled for October 21, leading up to the final match on October 22. All participating squads compete in the 7-a-side football format, which has drawn prominent amateur players from across Vietnam’s regional circuit.
Promoting Grassroots Football and Regional Tourism
Nguyen Chi Tuyen, head of the tournament’s organizing committee, stated that the competition was launched to foster football development in Vietnam while supporting the National Tourism Year “Gia Lai 2026.” Organizers noted that team owners invested heavily in their rosters by signing standout amateur talent from the country’s 7-a-side scene.
Beyond the pitch, officials expect the event to introduce fans nationwide to grassroots football growth in Gia Lai and the former Binh Dinh region. The tournament also gives players, staff, and traveling supporters an opportunity to experience local landscapes, culture, and communities, linking athletic competition directly with regional tourism initiatives.
Worth a look
