The short answer
Bristol City (Championship) runs a Category 2 academy with squads from Under-9. It can register Under-9 to Under-11 players who live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1½ hours. From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Robins High Performance Centre, Failand, Bristol.
| League 2026/27 | Championship |
| Academy | Category 2 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Robins High Performance Centre, Failand, Bristol |
How far Bristol City can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 2 academy can only register players who live within these travel times of its main training venue:
| Age group | Travel limit |
|---|---|
| Under-9 to Under-11 | 1 hour |
| Under-12 to Under-16 | 1½ hours |
| Under-17 to Under-21 | No limit |
Trials have their own limits: 1 hour at Under-9 to Under-11, 1½ hours at Under-12 and Under-13, and no limit from Under-14 to Under-16 (Rule 270).
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Compensation if a player leaves Bristol City
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the Bristol City academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because Bristol City wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 2 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at Bristol City from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £146,250 in training costs, before any appearance payments. Read how it works in our EPPP compensation guide.
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Nearest other academies
Approximate straight-line distance between academy bases. Journey times by road will be longer.
| Club | Category | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol Rovers | Category 3 | 6 miles |
| Newport County | Category 3 | 15 miles |
| Cardiff City | Category 2 | 20 miles |
| Swindon Town | Category 3 | 29 miles |
| Cheltenham Town | Category 3 | 42 miles |
| Bournemouth | Category 1 | 55 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the Bristol City academy?
Bristol City runs a Category 2 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can Bristol City recruit academy players from?
Under-9 to Under-11 players must live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1 and a half hours. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the Bristol City academy train?
The Bristol City academy is based at Robins High Performance Centre, Failand, Bristol.
Source: Training Ground Guru club profile: Bristol City (shows 2025/26 Academy Productivity Rankings) (accessed 2026-10-29); Swansea City: U21s' 2026-27 Professional Development League fixtures confirmed (2026-08-07); Wikipedia: 2026-27 Professional U18 Development League (U18 PL / PDL membership; lead only) (last edited 2026-10-28). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.