Cisco just launched the EMEA Cisco Networking Academy Cuphis most ambitious educational project so far. The initiative, which will reach more than 110 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, seeks to train 150,000 young people in key digital skills and show how technology can transform even sectors such as football, with Real Madrid as an example of applied innovation.
A format that unites learning and innovation
The EMEA Cisco Networking Academy Cup will not be a traditional competition, but rather an immersive educational experience that will combine a Learn-a-thon with a final phase type Capture the Flag. This gamified format seeks for participants to learn and demonstrate their knowledge in a practical way, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking and solving technological problems.
The structure of the contest includes three phases. In the first, the educational centers of each country will participate in a qualifying round based on the activity of their students and the certifications achieved. In the second, up to 330 teams will compete in a semifinal Capture the Flagfacing challenges designed especially for the occasion. The best will reach the European final, where the EMEA champion team will be crowned.
The award not only includes academic recognition, but also an exclusive experience at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, with VIP tickets to a La Liga match and a private visit to learn how Real Madrid uses Cisco technology in its digital transformation.
Technology, an ally of learning and sports
The project is born from the joint commitment between Cisco and Real Madrid, an alliance that has been maintained for more than twenty years. Cisco, like Official Technological Partner of the club and the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, provides the infrastructure and knowledge that make learning experiences connected to professional reality possible.
In addition to promoting innovation, the competition seeks to prepare students for digital employability. Participants will be encouraged to obtain certification Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST)a key step to access careers in networks, technical support and cybersecurity.
Statements that reinforce commitment
“At Cisco we are committed to promoting even broader and more inclusive access to vital technology education. The competition is a true reflection of this strategy for the Cisco Networking Academy program, which also announces new key Artificial Intelligence courses available in several EU languages, including Spanish,” explains Alejandra Blázquez, Head of Cisco Networking Academy in Spain.
For his part, Andreu Vilamitjana, General Director of Cisco for Spain and Portugal, highlights that “to promote sustainable and secure businesses and more equitable societies, we need to address the shortage of digital skills in the EU, also key to meeting the objectives of the 2030 Digital Decade.”
Both agree that technological training must go hand in hand with inclusion, preparing young people for an increasingly demanding labor market, in which artificial intelligence and automation will be essential tools.
A commitment to digital talent in Europe
The EMEA Cisco Networking Academy Cup is part of Cisco’s global goal of training an additional 1.5 million people in the European Union by 2030. Since the creation of its educational program, the company has trained more than 5.1 million students in Europe, including more than 470,000 in Spain. In the last year alone, more than 770,000 new students have enrolled in the 3,841 partner academies.
With these figures, the company reaffirms its leadership in technological education, a key piece for the economic and social development of the region. In the words of Vilamitjana, Cisco Spain’s objective is, “to reach 500,000 trained students before the end of 2025, a goal that reflects the importance of public-private collaboration in promoting digital skills.”
Open registration and opportunity for everyone
The registration period is now open and will run until December 31, 2025, giving educational institutions enough room to integrate into the Cisco Networking Academy platform and participate in the competition.
Interested centers can register through the official form.
