The short answer
Chelsea (Premier League) runs a Category 1 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 (no limit at Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model). From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Cobham Training Centre, Cobham, Surrey.
| League 2026/27 | Premier League |
| Academy | Category 1 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Cobham Training Centre, Cobham, Surrey |
How far Chelsea can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 1 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 (no limit Under-14 to Under-16 on the full-time model) |
| 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 Chelsea
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the Chelsea academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because Chelsea wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 1 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at Chelsea from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £215,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Wimbledon | Category 3 | 8 miles |
| Fulham | Category 1 | 8 miles |
| Queens Park Rangers | Category 2 | 11 miles |
| Brentford | Category 1 | 11 miles |
| Crystal Palace | Category 1 | 18 miles |
| Bromley | Category 4 | 19 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the Chelsea academy?
Chelsea runs a Category 1 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can Chelsea 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, except Under-14 to Under-16 players on the full-time model, who have no limit. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the Chelsea academy train?
The Chelsea academy is based at Cobham Training Centre, Cobham, Surrey.
Source: Tottenham Hotspur: 2026/27 Under-18 Premier League fixtures announced (lists South group) (2026-08-10); Under-18 Premier League explained (Premier League) - 31 Category One academies; Bournemouth + Brentford added for 2026/27 (undated (accessed 2026-10-29)). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.