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PLAYCFA

CENTRAL OHIO’S ORIGINAL FUTSAL ACADEMY
 

Developing creative, confident and intelligent players since 2006.
 

Columbus Futsal Academy offers a complete player-development pathway built around the speed, creativity, decision-making and collective play of futsal.
 

From a player’s first experience with the ball to competitive Academy teams, national events and first-team opportunities, CFA provides a place for players to learn, compete, grow and belong.
 

This is more than seasonal training.
 

This is where players learn to play how the world plays.
 


 

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FIND YOUR PLACE AT CFA

Every player’s journey is different. CFA offers developmentally appropriate programs for beginners, experienced players and athletes seeking the highest levels of competition.

CFA
ACADEMY

U10-U14

START SMART FUTSAL

An introduction to the ball, movement and the joy of playing for our youngest athletes.

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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Foundational futsal and street-style development without required travel.

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PRE-ACADEMY

An introduction to team training and competitive futsal for emerging players.

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ACADEMY

Year-round development and competition for committed futsal players.

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HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY

Advanced training and competition designed around the high-school soccer calendar.

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FIRST-TEAM PATHWAY

Opportunities to continue in futsal through high-level competition in the Columbus Futsal men’s and women’s programs.

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All CFA Programs are meant to compliment outdoor soccer, not compete with it. Almost all our athletes play multiple sports. 
 

Not sure where your player fits?

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Book a free individual player evaluation and our staff will recommend the most appropriate pathway.

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THE CFA PLAYER PATHWAY

Start Smart

START SMART FUTSAL

A joyful first introduction to futsal
 

Start Smart gives young players an age-appropriate introduction to movement, coordination, ball familiarity and creative play.
 

Sessions are designed to help children become comfortable with the ball while developing confidence and a genuine love for playing.
 

Best for:

Young beginners who are ready to explore the game in a positive, active and encouraging environment.

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Program highlights:

  • Age-appropriate instruction

  • Ball familiarity and coordination

  • Movement and balance

  • Creative games

  • Small-group interaction

  • A positive introduction to team play
     

For children U6 & U7
 August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2021

 

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 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT 

BUILD THE FOUNDATION

LOVE THE GAME
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The CFA Player Development Program is designed for young players who are ready for consistent training but do not yet need the travel and tournament commitment of an Academy team.

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Players learn through a combined futsal and street-game curriculum that encourages ball mastery, creativity, confidence and independence.
 

The program prioritizes long-term development and a true love for playing.

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PROGRAM FORMAT

Winter and Summer 2026/27

  • Training twice weekly

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00–6:00 PM

  • Winter training at Heatwave Arena

  • Summer training at Tuttle Park

  • In-house and local games on select weekends

  • No required travel

  • No required tournaments

  • Tryout not required
     

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

This program is a strong fit for:

  • Newer players who want to build a strong technical foundation

  • U8 and U9 players who are not yet ready for Pre-Academy

  • Players who need more confidence and experience

  • Families looking for consistent development without travel commitments

  • Young players who simply love having the ball at their feet

     

For children U7-U9

August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2020

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Program fee: $995 plus uniform. Installment plans are available beginning at approximately $85 per month.

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Open enrollment continues until the program reaches capacity. Program begins the week of November 2, 2026.

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PRE-ACADEMY

THE NEXT STEP INTO COMPETITIVE FUTSAL
 

Pre-Academy introduces developing players to the structure, responsibility and teamwork of competitive futsal.

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Players receive consistent technical instruction while beginning to understand spacing, movement, transition, defending and collective team play.

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The goal is not to rush young players into results-based competition. The goal is to prepare them for long-term success within the CFA Academy pathway.

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PROGRAM FORMAT

September - July

  • Training twice weekly winter /summer

  • Training once weekly fall / spring

  • Tournament play

  • Select regional or national events

  • Technical development

  • Goalkeeper development

  • Team-based tactical instruction

  • Tryout or individual evaluation required
     

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

Pre-Academy is intended for players who:

  • Have established basic ball control and coordination

  • Are ready to train more consistently

  • Want to begin competing in team environments

  • Show curiosity, coachability and enthusiasm for the game

  • Are prepared for a greater level of commitment
     

Selection for United Futsal may require an additional evaluation and is not guaranteed by program enrollment.
 

For children U8 & U9
August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2019
 

Tuition: $1695 plus uniform. Installment plans are available.

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ACADEMY

YEAR-ROUND DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMITTED PLAYERS

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The Columbus Futsal Academy is CFA’s primary competitive development program.

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Academy players train and compete throughout the year in an established Academy environment designed to improve technical ability, confidence, creativity, decision-making and understanding of the game.

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CFA operates through a fluid Academy style player pool rather than fixed season-long rosters. This model allows your player to be in environments that challenge them appropriately rather than limiting their development to one permanent roster.
 

PROGRAM FORMAT

September through July

  • Fall preseason training

  • Regular-season winter training

  • Spring transitional training

  • Summer training

  • Tournament play

  • Goalkeeper training

  • Performance training with ETS Gahanna

  • Select regional and national competitions

  • Tryout or individual evaluation required
     

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

Academy is designed for players who:

  • Are serious about their development

  • Want to become more confident and complete players

  • Want to become a better teammate

  • Enjoy fast, competitive and creative environments

  • Are ready to train consistently

  • Want meaningful league and tournament opportunities

  • Value both individual growth and collective team play
     

For youth U10 - U14
August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2017

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Tuition: $1995 plus uniforms. Installment plans are available.

 

HIGH SCHOOL 

ADVANCED FUTSAL DEVELOPMENT FOR HIGH-SCHOOL PLAYERS
 

The CFA High School Academy provides competitive futsal training and tournament opportunities designed to complement the demands of high-school and club soccer.

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Players work in a fast, challenging environment that develops technical sharpness, tactical awareness, fitness, creativity and composure.

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The program is structured  allowing players to continue developing through futsal with a condensed calendar.
 

PROGRAM FORMAT

Winter with Summer Option

  • Winter training and competition

  • Opportunity for Summer competition

  • Select regional and national events

  • Advanced tactical instruction

  • Goalkeeper development

  • Invitation, tryout or individual evaluation required
     

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

The High School Academy is designed for players who:

  • Want to remain technically sharp during the winter

  • Want more confidence in tight spaces

  • Need to improve speed of play and decision-making

  • Want a challenging competitive environment

  • Are preparing for collegiate soccer of ID sessions

  • Interested in continuing through CFA’s first-team pathway

  • Love futsal as a sport 
     

For Teens U15-U19
August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2012

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Tuition: $1295 plus uniforms. Installment plans are available.

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MORE THAN WINTER TOUCHES

Not all futsal experiences are built the same.

Some programs offer seasonal technical training. Others assemble teams primarily for tournament participation.
 

CFA provides a complete futsal ecosystem.

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AT CFA, PLAYERS RECEIVE:

  • Technical development

  • Tactical education

  • League and tournament opportunities

  • Unstructured and street-style play

  • Goalkeeper-specific development

  • Age-appropriate athletic development

  • A progression from introductory programs to competitive Academy teams

  • Connections to the men’s and women’s game

  • A community built around futsal
     

For families looking for more, this is it!

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READY TO PLAY CFA?


CURRENT CFA PLAYERS

Returning families should use the registration in the offer email provided by CFA to secure their place for the 2026/27 season.
 

NEW PLAYERS

Players interested in joining CFA can attend a supplemental tryout or schedule a free individual evaluation.

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Our staff will evaluate the player’s current ability, developmental needs and program readiness before recommending the best CFA pathway.

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YOUNGER PLAYERS

Start Smart Futsal and Player Development programs offer open-enrollment options for younger players who are ready to take their first steps!

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FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

WHY DOES CFA TRAIN YEAR-ROUND?
 

CFA wasn’t always a year-round academy.
 

For many years, we offered futsal primarily during the four-month winter season. The problem was what happened during the other eight months: players would return the following winter having lost much of what they had learned. Coaches were rebuilding basic movements, concepts and futsal fundamentals instead of building upon the previous season. It was frustrating for players and coaches, and it limited meaningful long-term development.
 

We realized that development needs a compound effect.
 

When CFA transitioned to a 10-month development model—with year-round training and seasonal competition—we saw a significant change. Players retained concepts, training became more advanced, and each season could build upon the one before it.
 

As the program evolved, so did our players. CFA players began progressing into environments such as Columbus Crew Academy and MLS NEXT, while others earned identification opportunities and national and international experiences.
 

That experience reshaped the way we built our Academy.
 

Year-round does not mean players need to play futsal every day or choose futsal over every other sport. It means maintaining enough consistency throughout the year that development isn't repeatedly lost and restarted.
 

Instead of:   Learn → Stop → Lose → Relearn
 

We can create: Learn → Apply → Reinforce → Progress
 

After years of operating this model, we know the difference consistency makes. It allows our coaches to teach more, our players to reach higher levels, and CFA to provide a meaningful long-term development pathway rather than a four-month winter experience.


WHAT DAYS DO CFA TEAMS TRAIN?

Most Academy teams train on weekday evenings between 5:00 and 9:00 PM.

Final schedules are created after the evaluation and placement process. Scheduling depends on coach availability, court availability, player numbers, goalkeeper sessions and coaches working with multiple teams. Families receive their finalized schedule and TeamSnap One invitation before the program begins.

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WHERE DOES CFA TRAIN?

Winter training primarily takes place at Heatwave Arena in the Dublin–Plain City area.

Spring, summer and fall outdoor sessions primarily take place at Tuttle Park in Columbus. Sessions may move indoors during severe or unsuitable weather. Athletic-performance sessions are held at CFA’s designated performance-training partner facility, ETS Gahanna.
 

WHEN DOES THE 2026/27 SEASON BEGIN?

Academy and Pre-Academy preseason training begins Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Tuttle Park.

Regular-season training begins the first week of November 2026 at Heatwave Arena. Summer programming begins the first week of June 2027. Specific dates and schedules will be communicated through TeamSnap.
 

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Program inclusions vary by pathway but may include:

  • CFA technical training sessions

  • CFA tactical training sessions

  • Columbus Futsal League games

  • Goalkeeper training

  • Athletic-performance sessions

  • CFA-hosted and owned events

  • Tournament play

  • Professional coaching and player development

  • TeamSnap One communication and scheduling
     

United Futsal events, external leagues, travel tournaments, uniforms, and certain optional experiences may require additional fees. Your player offer or registration page will identify what is included in your specific program.

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WHEN ARE GAMES PLAYED?

Games are generally played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Some tournament games may be scheduled on school holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day. Winter games typically begin in November or December. Summer games and tournaments generally begin in June.

Schedules vary by team and event.

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WHERE DO CFA PLAYERS COMPETE?

  • United Futsal Champions Cup Series (CCS), Regional and National level

  • US Youth Futsal events including Regional and National level (USYF)

  • Elite Clubs Futsal League (ECFL)

  • Columbus Futsal League(CFL)

  • Futsal Champions Series (FCS)

  • U.S. Futsal events (USSF)

  • National Training Camp (NTC)

  • International events; World Futsal Championships, FUTURES, Copa de la Amistad


New opportunities are always on the horizon for CFA players!

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WILL MY CHILD TRAVEL?

Travel depends on age, developmental level, team placement and the events selected for each player pool.

Many teams attend at least one event outside Central Ohio, most often in Cincinnati and Akron. Older and higher-level teams may travel more frequently. Destinations in the past have included Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, Kansas, North Carolina and Florida. CFA teams travel to Orlando, FL every July for the United Futsal World Futsal Championships. Travel is communicated in advance. Enrollment in CFA does not automatically guarantee placement at every travel event.
 

DOES CFA OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?

Yes. CFA offers installment options so families do not have to pay the full program tuition at once.

The available payment schedule will appear during registration. 
 

ARE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?

Yes. Sibling discounts are available for eligible full-season programs. The highest-cost enrollment is treated as the first full-price registration. Discounts are then applied to additional eligible siblings. Current sibling-discount details will be provided during registration or by contacting CFA.

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1st Child: Full price, highest cost program 

2nd Child: $99 off their individual enrollment 

3rd Child: $198 off their individual enrollment
4th Child: $297 off their individual enrollment

5th+ Child: No additional cost

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CFA Loyalty Program: 

During 21/22 season we are starting a loyalty program that can be applied per player for each full-season program. Players returning from the previous season get $25 off registration and for each CONSECUTIVE season they accumulate $25. 
 

Year 1 $0

Year 2 $25

Year 3 $50

Year 4 $75

Year 5 $100
 

DOES CFA OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?

Yes. Families may apply for scholarship assistance through the Columbus Futsal Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. Assistance is based on available funding and demonstrated need. Click here to apply. 
 

 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our staff can help determine which CFA program is the best fit for your player.
 

Phone: 614-655-1590

Email: info@columbusfutsal.us

 

 

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