Top Youth Teams to Compete at VOA MetroPark Next June
West Chester Township and surrounding communities will host approximately 650 youth soccer teams from across the country next spring.
Greater Cincinnati has been chosen as the location for the MLS NEXT Cup, tentatively scheduled for June 5-13, which will feature six division groups from U13 to U19 and will bring considerable economic impact to the region.
“This is big news for our restaurants, hotels, and other businesses,” said Ann Becker, Chair of the West Chester Township Trustees. “These team members and their families will book an estimated 50,000 hotel nights. Economic impact is expected to be at least $30 million for the area, so this is a big win for West Chester and the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission.”
The Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission (CRSC), Travel Butler County, FC Cincinnati, and Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau represented the group that pushed for hosting the tournament. Along with VOA MetroPark, other tournament sites will be TQL Stadium and Warren County Sports Park.
“An event like MLS NEXT Cup fills hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout our region for more than a week, and it puts Greater Cincinnati at the sport’s epicenter for families, players and scouts from across North America," said Ben Huffman, Executive Director of the CRSC.
Sponsored by Allstate, the 2027 MLS NEXT Cup will feature an expanded Allstate Homegrown Division, growing from 32 teams to 48 teams in each of the U15 through U19 age groups. It will also include a showcase competition for rising juniors and seniors who wish to compete in front of professional, national team and college scouts.