Soccer is, of course, one of the most popular sports in the world. And with North America set to host key matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July, the sport is looking to get a continued boost in the U.S., where recent estimates by the Physical Activity Council put the number of outdoor recreational players (ages 6 and up) at about 15 million, a three-year increase of 15.3 percent.
Expect interest and participation in soccer to continue to grow, as many venues across the country are already experiencing.
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
The City of Concord in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, just 20 minutes northeast of Charlotte, is home to the scenic, 238-acre Frank Liske Park, featuring 11 grass fields, concession stand and permanent restrooms.
Visitors can also enjoy a range of amenities, from a nine-acre lake with fishing and paddle boats to walking trails and fitness equipment. Cabarrus County recently hosted four Charlotte Soccer Academy tournaments, all held annually at Frank Liske Park with roughly 500 participants each.
Concord is also home to three turf stadium fields: Cox Mill Field with 2,000 seats; West Cabarrus Turf Complex, with 2,000 seats and two turf practice fields; and Jay M. Robinson Field, with 3,000 seats and LED video board. All three venues have concession stands and permanent restrooms, as well as ample parking.
Minutes away, Harrisburg Park is home to five multi-purpose fields. This spring, two of the fields will be converted to artificial turf to provide year-round all-weather play.
The Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a dedicated services team that works with tournament organizers to connect community partners and venues. The CVB also provides sponsorship based on room pick-up in Cabarrus County, hotel room blocks/courtesy block assistance and visitor information tables at large events.
“Soccer has been an integral part of the sports tourism industry in Concord and Cabarrus County,” says John Poole, Sr. VP, Sales & Destination Services for Cabarrus County CVB. “Charlotte Soccer Academy is a premier club, and we are proud to work with their group to host successful tournaments while also welcoming outside events.”
Central Florida
Central Florida’s Polk County is a beautiful locale, with ideal weather and, with multiple top-notch soccer facilities, it might be the right destination to host that next event.
The epicenter of youth soccer in the State of Florida is here: Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale is home to the Florida Youth Soccer Association state headquarters. This multi-purpose sports complex features 10 lighted fields and the 3,500-seat Orlando Health Soccer Stadium (with additional berm seating available).
Less than six miles away from Lake Myrtle is Simmers Young Park, which currently has five new turf fields and seven natural grass fields. In all, Polk County has more than 60 multi-purpose fields available.
The area has hosted many major soccer events over the past few years, including the US Youth Soccer Southern Regionals, Florida High School Athletic Association State Soccer Finals, MLS training and exhibition games, Florida Adult Soccer Association Florida Classic and more.
“Our soccer facilities, plus the vacation offerings we have in Central Florida, rival any you will find in the country,” says Neal Duncan, Senior Sports & Special Events Manager for Visit Central Florida Sports, which can help connect tournament owners and organizers with the facilities in the area to find the best venue for their event.
Off the field, Central Florida offers top vacation entertainment, from theme parks to nature preserves and other attractions.
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
The primary soccer facility in Champaign-Urbana is the Rantoul Family Sports Complex, with eight multi-purpose turf fields. The complex’s tournament building includes indoor restrooms, concession stand and a tournament director room. Wi-fi is available throughout the facility, along with LED lights, a scoreboard for every field, and a PA system.
The Demirjian Park soccer stadium, part of the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, is also available for soccer tournaments and events, with one turf field featuring stadium seating, concessions and restrooms.
Experience Champaign-Urbana offers marketing assistance for tournaments, bid incentives through grant and donor funds, as well as resources to help attendees find local amenities like restaurants, hotels and downtime activities. The CVB can also plan off-site excursions into downtown areas.
“Our team goes the extra mile by marketing events, arranging accommodations, acting as a liaison between tournament owners and venue directors and providing the tools for a successful event, before, during and after,” says Mark Brown, Director of Event Services. The goal? “Ensuring a brilliant experience so that players, coaches, official, families and fans want to come back year after year.”
Conway, Arkansas
“The addition of the Conway Soccer Complex in 2025 has changed the way we do soccer in Conway,” says Rachel Shaw, Executive Director of Visit Conway. “The new complex is located close to hotels, restaurants and shopping, making it a convenient spot for visiting teams. Soccer has been steadily growing in Central Arkansas for years and we are happy to contribute to that growth.”
The complex opened in the spring of last year, featuring 10 grass fields, onsite concessions and restrooms, as well as a splash pad.
“So far, it’s served primarily as a host to local soccer events, however, we are planning for larger events as we complete the first year of operation at this facility,” Shaw adds.
Visit Conway can provide grant funding for events bringing in hotel stays, as well as connecting event owners/organizers with potential local sponsors, hotels and restaurants.
Off the field, Maly’s Entertainment and Action Jack’s, two local activity centers, are both big hits with visiting teams, with laser tag and arcade games to axe throwing and bowling. Conway also has a downtown with great restaurants and local boutiques.
Key City Park, Mississippi
Key City Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi is home to the Mississippi Soccer Association and offers five full-size artificial turf fields for 11v11 play. For 9v9 play, the space can be configured for 10 fields, and for 7v7, 12 fields.
The venue, which can support all ages and divisions, hosts the MSA Rec Cup, MSA State Cup (with up to 115 teams in 2024) and ODP camps, and also has held a US Youth Soccer regional tournament.
The Vicksburg Soccer Organization had 70 teams this past year for a tournament, and Brandon Futbol Club runs two tournaments in February, each with about 50 teams per weekend.
“Depending on the divisions and team count, we can have anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 spectators on tournament weekends for soccer,” says General Manager Ryan Kennard. The CVB connects with tournament organizers and can help with networking in the local area. Funding is also a possibility through the CVB.
“I believe Vicksburg is becoming the soccer capitol of Mississippi,” Kennard says. “In recent years, we’ve added numerous soccer ID camps, tournaments and trainings that help provide Mississippi and surrounding states with a quality facility, equipped with top-of-the-line artificial turf, four food and beverage options and a mini golf course. As General Manager and Tournament Manager, I look forward to adding new, recurring soccer tournaments at the park here in Vicksburg.”
Round Rock, Texas
The Round Rock Multipurpose Complex offers an exceptional experience for athletes and spectators. The facility boasts 10 top-tier fields (four natural grass and four synthetic turf multi-purpose fields), as well as a natural grass championship field and a synthetic turf championship field, making it ideal for everything from training sessions to national tournaments.
The fields feature Musco sports lighting, ample parking and a centrally located restroom and concession hub. The two championship fields have elevated spectator seating, field configurations are flexible and families can enjoy open green spaces and playgrounds.
The Multipurpose Complex hosted the 2024 NIRSA National Soccer Championships and the Sprouts Farmers’ Big 12 Soccer Championship for three years running. The Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau offers dedicated support to event organizers to ensure a smooth and successful tournament experience, including a variety of complimentary services.
“We brought the 2024 NIRSA National Soccer Championships to the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, our fourth year,” says Nicole Jackson, Director of National Sport Programs for NIRSA. “We’re bringing 96 teams from across the country, 2,000 participants and a lot of spectators, so having a central location is phenomenal. Plus, Round Rock offers a lot of great hotel options. When we come here, it’s like a second home to us.”
And growth is on the way, with a major expansion of the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex that will add six new fields and collegiate-level press boxes, with completion expected by spring 2027.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
“We are proud of what we are seeing in youth soccer here in Sioux Falls,” says Brandon Vant Hul with Experience Sioux Falls. “Youth soccer is an accessible sport that most people can enjoy and participate in. Experience Sioux Falls works with our local organizations and pristine facilities to bring high-level competition to Sioux Falls. We work with them every step of the way to ensure a successful tournament for all.”
Among the facilities available are 21 grass fields at Yankton Trail Park (six are lighted). The park has plenty of parking, restrooms and open space suitable for vendors. It’s also connected to the city via a bike/walking path.
The Crossing at Sanford Sports Complex offers eight lighted turf fields, including a championship field with bleachers for up to 200 fans, parking, restrooms, concessions, digital scoreboards and livestreaming capabilities.
The University of Sioux Falls has the Bob Young Stadium, with a turf field at the foot of facilities that can accommodate about 5,000 spectators. The stadium also has suites, concessions, restrooms, scoreboard and livestream capabilities.
The venue is the home field for the women’s Sioux Falls City Football Club (of the USL W League) and the men’s Sioux Falls Thunder FC (of the NPSL and UPSL).
The city has hosted large events in recent years, including the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Presidents Cup with about 160 teams and the Ohayon Invitation with about 200 youth teams.
In May, the city will host the South Dakota Youth Soccer Association State Championship Series.
Southern Illinois
In Southern Illinois, the Marion Soccer Complex is a youth hub, hosting weekend tournaments, local leagues and clinics on its 14 natural grass fields (with bleacher seating for the six larger fields).
The venue has free onsite parking and is easy to access from I-57, with dining options within a five-minute drive. The complex has full restroom facilities, a playground and two large picnic shelters.
The newly built Oasis Sports Complex expands Marion’s capacity to host large-scale soccer events and multi-division tournaments, supporting youth, collegiate and adult play. It features six outdoor turf fields and two natural-grass fields, as well as an indoor turf field (all 360 by 215 feet).
The centralized layout allows for efficient scheduling and movement between fields. The facility is also easy to access from I-57 and within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and the newest entertainment district featuring the Thrill House Family Fun Center and Mammoth Fieldhouse (with an elevated driving range) and more.
“Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports in our region, and with the addition of new fields, Marion is entering a new chapter for tournament play,” says Tiffany Yepsen of VisitSI. “The strength of our established complex paired with continued growth allows us to host everything from grassroots youth events to large, multi-division tournaments in one easy-to-navigate destination.
“But tournaments here are about more than the matches. We make it easy for teams and families to focus on the competition and shared experiences. That balance of strong facilities and meaningful off-the-field moments is what keeps teams coming back and turns tournaments into tradition.” SDM
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