Fundación Osasuna has launched a special edition of its XLIV Christmas School Tournament, removing all entry caps for schools to mark the 25th anniversary of the club's social foundation. The tournament will be held at the Tajonar facilities between 23 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
This decision marks a significant change from previous editions, which were limited to 64 schools per category. One of the most notable new features of this edition is that there will be no limit on places in either of the two categories, the organising body explained. The move aims to ensure no interested school misses out on the competition, guaranteeing each registered team a minimum of three matches.
Registration details
Registrations will be open from 1 to 23 October 2026 via the foundation's official website. Each school may register a maximum of one team per category: a mixed category for players born between 2017 and 2018, and a female category for players born between 2015 and 2018. Squads must have between 12 and 15 players, all of whom must be students at the represented school during the 2026/2027 academic year. This squad size is a reduction from previous requests by the schools themselves, aiming for greater individual participation.
Possible Tudela group stage
The organisation has introduced a logistical novelty to facilitate participation from schools across Navarre. If at least five schools request to play the group stage in Tudela, it will be held there, with teams travelling to Tajonar only for the knockout finals. Should requests for Tudela fall below five, the foundation will contact the affected schools to offer them a place in Tajonar or a refund of their registration fee. Queries can be directed to phone number 948 29 30 40, from 9:30 to 13:30 on non-holiday weekdays, or via email at interescolar@fundacionosasuna.com.
The tournament, which promotes values such as camaraderie, sportsmanship and respect, comes at a busy time for the first team. The senior squad enters this period on a run of three league matches without a win, sitting 13th in La Liga with 8 points. In the last match, a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, striker Ante Budimir scored his fifth goal of the season in the 67th minute. The squad now prepares to visit third-placed Real Betis on 11 October.
With Budimir leading the attack, the club seeks stability in domestic competition while its foundation drives this grassroots initiative. The success of the expanded school tournament strengthens Osasuna's bond with the community in a celebratory year, offering a concrete opportunity to hundreds of young footballers during the Christmas holidays.
First reported at Osasuna
