Ali Cup
Honoring a legacy.
From Excelsior, for every team.
The Ali Cup honors the legacy of Ali Cole Jr. — a student-athlete and footballer at Excelsior High School whose words and example built a tradition.
Born from his phrase, "Love in the house," the inaugural Ali Cup was set in motion in 2018. It's grown every year since.
What started as Excelsior's preseason tradition — competing against teams from across Jamaica — is now an island-wide invitational where coaches build chemistry, players showcase skill, and the Cup goes home with the team that earns it.
— The Green and Yellow Organization
Five days. Twenty teams. One cup.
August 11–15 across two venues. DaCosta Cup and Manning Cup teams compete for the Ali Cup.
How the Cup is won
- Group stage: Each team plays 4 games. 40 minutes per game, running clock. 3-minute halftime at the 20-minute mark.
- Advancement: Top 2 teams from each zone advance to the playoffs. Ties broken by head-to-head.
- Quarterfinals: 40 minutes, 3-minute halftime. Draws decided by penalties (FIFA Rules).
- Semifinals: 50 minutes, 4-minute halftime at the 25-minute mark.
- Final (Ali Cup): 60 minutes, 6-minute halftime at the 30-minute mark.
- Weather: All times subject to change by organizers due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. inclement weather).
Manning Cup meets DaCosta Cup.
Teams from both of Jamaica's premier school football competitions square off — a true island-wide preseason test.
Manning Cup
Jamaica's premier urban schools-football competition. Excelsior High School's home league — the program that built the Ali Cup tradition.
DaCosta Cup
Rural Jamaica's high-school football competition. Bringing DaCosta Cup teams into Ali Cup gives players variety, level, and a real island-wide preseason proving ground.
Win the Cup. Win the recognition.
Every team competes for the Cup. Every player competes for individual honors.
Ali Cup
Tournament champion. The teams's name on the trophy.
Most Disciplined Team
Recognized for conduct, composure, and respect for the game on and off the field.
Most Valuable Player
The single player whose performance shaped the tournament.
Golden Boot
The tournament's top scorer takes home the boot.
Best Goalkeeper
The keeper who kept their side in the fight when it mattered most.
Equipment for All
Every team takes home equipment — win, lose, or draw.
The Cup in action.
Coaches, players, families — past Ali Cup moments.
Two venues. One cup.
Group play opens in St. Elizabeth, then the tournament returns home to Excelsior for the playoffs.
Excelsior High School
The home of the Ali Cup. Where Ali Cole Jr. built his game — and where the Manning Cup groups (Aug 13–14) and Saturday's playoffs & final (Aug 15) are decided.
Kingston, Jamaica
St. Elizabeth Technical
STETHS opens the tournament, hosting the DaCosta Cup preliminary groups before the Cup heads back to Kingston for the Manning Cup rounds and playoffs.
Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica