Cloud Cup 2025: A Football Tournament for a Cause
London, UK – On July 9th, 2025, New River Stadium in North London was transformed into more than just a football arena. It became the center of collaboration, youth empowerment, and social mobility as it played host to the Cloud Cup 2025, a 7-a-side charity football tournament.
The tournament, organized by colleagues from Microsoft and Google, brought together 16 fintech companies to support Urban Synergy’s mission of inspiring, guiding, and igniting the ambitions of young people to excel in education and work.
The event saw over 110 players from various companies, including Accenture, AEG Europe, Barclays, Deloitte Digital, Google, and Microsoft, come together after work to compete for a cause. Co-hosted by colleagues from Google and Microsoft, all event costs were covered, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to Urban Synergy.
The funds raised from the tournament will go towards supporting mentoring, skill building workshops, and work experience opportunities for young people aged 9-24. This support is crucial in bridging the gap between aspirations and real-world career opportunities.
The tournament was a huge success, with Mastercard emerging as the overall winners. Leila Thomas, Founder and CEO of Urban Synergy, expressed her gratitude to Google and Microsoft for choosing their charity as the beneficiary for the event. She also thanked Francis Nwofor from Microsoft for organizing the tournament.
Thomas said, “It’s great we’re able to unite in this way, working together to ensure more young people reach the education, business role models, and work experience opportunities they need. These are all essential building blocks for the next generation to thrive.”
The event also saw the participation of “alumni” volunteers, young people who have been through Urban Synergy’s program. They came to support the charity and help make the event a success. One of the alumni, Success, who now works at M&G, said, “I was happily surprised to see so many people playing. There’s a vast range of people here supporting the charity. I spoke to a lot of them about Urban Synergy, and they were really approachable and friendly.”
The Cloud Cup 2025 was not just about competition; it was about purpose. It directly supported Urban Synergy’s work with young people, providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities to reach their full potential.
Toni from RBC BlueBay, one of the female players, shared her views on the event, saying, “The matches are a ‘walk in the park’ for me. I’ve been playing since I was very young. We have a strong company team, and this is a great opportunity to network with other organizations. I’m delighted to play for Urban Synergy. A youth organization helped me gain work experience, and I’m happy to support that cause.”
The event would not have been possible without the support of all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and donors. Their energy, generosity, and commitment made the Cloud Cup 2025 a huge success.
For those who missed this year’s event, there will be another opportunity to get involved in 2026. You can learn more about Urban Synergy and donate on their website. Companies can also become corporate partners or participate in their Golf Day 2026 fundraiser. For more information, you can contact the charity directly.
Urban Synergy is a mentoring charity that has supported over 35,000 young people from underrepresented communities, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to achieve their full potential. Their work is essential in creating a more equal and inclusive society, and events like the Cloud Cup 2025 play a crucial role in making this happen.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.