Trial match against the SKN St. Pölten first team, and scouts
The SKN Excellence Campus ends with a trial match against the first team of SKN St. Pölten, the professional club of the Austrian city of St. Pölten.
Selection on sporting merit
A place in the trial match is not bought with the booking; it is earned during the four days. The coaching staff selects the squad on sporting merit. Participation in the match is therefore not guaranteed — all other parts of the programme are the same for every participant.
Scouts all four days
Scouts from professional clubs watch all four days, not only the final match. The chance is therefore not limited to SKN St. Pölten: St. Pölten is the venue, the audience is wider. The first team of SKN St. Pölten and guests from the German Bundesliga are on site.
From the trial match to a contract
SKN St. Pölten is actively looking for young players and aims to sign around four players per season via the Campus. The FIFA-licensed agency Sports Excellence Group, a partner of the club, can take participants under contract directly and aims to sign around ten players per season. Further scouts and agents attend as well — see routes to a contract.
Filmed
Every session is filmed. Each participant receives a video and photo package, including scouting clips and material for a career presentation.
More about the Campus
- The four days at the SKN Excellence Campus
- Price and what's included
- Accommodation and food
- Who can take part
- Venue: SKN St. Pölten, Austria
- Booking, registration deadline and cancellation
- Organiser and partners
- A day at the Campus: daily times
- Travel and arrival: Vienna airport, train, transfer, visa
- For parents and guardians
- Packing list for the Campus
- Routes to a contract: SKN St. Pölten and Sports Excellence Group
- Guide: how do footballers get scouted?
- Guide: do I need a football agent?
- Guide: football CV and highlight video
- Guide: how to recognise a serious football camp
- Guide: is a professional contract guaranteed after a camp or trial?
- Football camp, trial, academy or tryout: the differences
- Guide: how realistic is becoming a professional footballer?
- Guide: how to prepare for a trial or camp — and how to stand out
- Guide: international players, minors and football rules
- Guide: how to recognise fake scouts and dubious offers
- Guide: what happens after a camp or trial — and if you are not selected
- Guide: mental strength, pressure and coachability
- The football market in Austria and Germany: a rough guide for young players
- What the top 1% do differently — and how the Campus trains for it
- Frequently asked questions