OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Heartland Soccer is gearing up to welcome teams from across the Midwest for the highly anticipated Fall Kick Off Challenge, scheduled for August 18-20, 2023. This sold-out event will see more than 215 teams vying for victory at two premier soccer venues: the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex.
Renowned as a premier fall season fixture, the tournament boasts an impressive lineup of participants hailing from various corners of the Midwest. Among the attendees are ECNL, NPL, State, and Regional Champion teams from 7 states, who make the Fall Kick Off Challenge a hallmark of the season.
Anticipation is running high as players, supporters, and spectators converge from the Kansas City metropolitan area and beyond, contributing to an estimated economic impact of $4 million over the course of the weekend.
Shane Hackett, Executive Director of the Heartland Soccer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Fall Kick Off Challenge has a longstanding reputation as a premier regional tournament. We’re thrilled to once again welcome teams from the Midwest to the pitch this weekend. Our regional tournaments continue to grow as teams from multiple states choose to visit our world-class facilities and compete on our exceptional fields.”
Considering the importance of local media to our sport, media representatives are invited to cover the event. The action kicks off on Friday with the first set of games scheduled for 5:30 PM. Saturday and Sunday will see games commence around 8:00 AM, followed by award ceremonies starting shortly after noon on Sunday.
The Heartland Soccer Fall Tournament Series, comprising 7 remarkable tournaments, is on the horizon. Following the Fall Kick Off Challenge is the Heartland Midwest Classic set for Labor Day Weekend, closely followed by the Midwest All Boys and Midwest All Girls Tournaments. These forthcoming tournaments are expected to attract over 700 teams from across the Midwest.
For comprehensive details about the Heartland Soccer Tournament Series, visit www.heartlandsoccer.net.
About Heartland Soccer Association
Heartland Soccer, the largest youth soccer league and tournament host in the United States, boasts an impressive roster of more than 1,300 league teams per season and hosts 4,800 tournament teams annually. With a staggering count of 74,000 youth soccer players, 4,000 coaches, and 2,000 active referees, Heartland Soccer Association has established itself as a prominent organization since its inception in 1977. Starting with 600 players, the association has expanded its reach to encompass teams from 16 states and international participants, offering both league play and tournaments. For further details, please visit www.heartlandsoccer.net.
Heartland Soccer extends a range of opportunities for league and tournament sponsorship. Partnerships serve as integral members in nurturing an ever-growing soccer family within the community. Sponsorship not only amplifies brand visibility for businesses but also directly contributes to the development of Kansas City’s youth through soccer. To explore sponsorship options, kindly reach out to Bridgette Samuelson, Director of Partnership Development and Operations, at [email protected].