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Footballing royalty, in the form of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, graced Tauranga with football fans of all ages wanting to catch a glimpse.

The trophy, one of the most prized possessions in world football, was in town yesterday afternoon as part of a nationwide tour ahead of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be held in NZ in 2015.

Daniel Raikes, 12, Flynn Wilson, 7, Madeline Wilson, 9, and Charlotte Raikes, 8 with the trophy.

Hosted by Otumoetai Football Club, photos with the trophy and a variety of football based activities were on offer with people able to win tickets to the global event on Thursday.

Waikato regional sales and marketing manager James Bannatyne says the trophy, which started its tour in Waitangi on May 5, has been visiting towns and cities the length of the country.

And the most the most resounding feedback he is receiving from fans is 'wow!”

'I think it's great, all the kids can connect and see what it's all about. It's still a year away but they can say wow it's here and it's coming,” says James.

'People are working out the football and the globe aspect of it. Kids love kicking around and love a photo and not so much into the detail while the more older folk are interested in how many times it has been played for.”

There is also a wide range of people coming out to experience the aura the trophy holds, something that is fantastic to see he adds.

'There is a bit of everything with kids from schools that aren't necessarily soccer players. We are trying to appeal to lots of different markets.

The under-20 version is awarded every two years since the first tournament in 1977.

In the 19 tournaments held, only nine nations have won the title.