Heartland Soccer set to host premier fall soccer tournament Labor Day weekend, forecasting $4 million economic boost
OVERLAND PARK/OLATHE, Kan. – Heartland Soccer Association, the largest tournament and league host of youth soccer in the United States, is excited to announce the continuation of its enduring partnership with Prairiefire as the title sponsor of the Heartland Midwest Classic.
The Heartland Midwest Classic, Presented by Prairiefire, is slated for Labor Day weekend, taking place from September 1-3, 2023. The tournament’s matches will unfold across two esteemed soccer venues, the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex. The tournament is set to host more than 140 teams from six states. With teams traveling in from all over the Kansas City metropolitan and beyond, the tournament is projected to generate a significant economic upswing of approximately $2.1 million over the course of the weekend.
“We are very excited to partner with such a successful and well-respected youth sports association. Heartland Soccer has an impressive history of hosting best-in-class soccer tournaments that showcase Overland Park and our greater KC Metro. We are proud to be a part of Heartland’s mission to continue developing the Kansas City soccer community and look forward to supporting Heartland Soccer on and off the field,” said Terri M. Thompson, Executive Director of The MAP + KC Urban Advantage.
Shane Hackett, Executive Director of the Heartland Soccer Association, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Prairiefire. They have been our tournament title sponsor for the Heartland Midwest Classic since 2018. Prairiefire, situated in Overland Park, offers outstanding dining, shopping, events, and a museum for our coaches, teams, and their families to enjoy.”
Considering the importance of local media to our sport, media representatives are invited to cover the tournament. The action kicks off on Friday, September 1st 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 Heartland Midwest Classic are the Midwest All Boys and Midwest All Girls Tournaments, closely followed by the Heartland Invitational Tournaments. These forthcoming tournaments are expected to attract over 1,200 teams from across the Midwest.
For comprehensive details about the Heartland Soccer Tournament Series, visit www.heartlandsoccer.net.
Heartland Soccer will host a Skills Challenge event on the Saturday of tournament weekend (September 2, 10am-5pm) at Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex. This competition is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in various challenges, encompassing dribbling, shooting, and passing competitions. Awards for top players will be given out for each division: boys and girls U6-U19, as well as Adult divisions. For more details and to register for the event, visit www.skillschallengeusa.com
“We’re thrilled to host the Soccer Skills Challenge during one of the longest running tournament weekends and provide a fun and competitive event for soccer players in the area,” said Shane Hackett, Heartland Soccer Association executive director. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase skills and compete against other talented players.”
About Prairiefire
Dine, Shop, & Play at Prairiefire!
Travel back in time and check out Quetzalcoatlus, the World’s largest flying reptile at the Museum of Prairiefire. Stroll through a wetlands park. Take in a movie, go bowling or play a game of pickleball with friends and family. With almost 30 storefronts to shop, dine and be entertained, Prairifire is an engaging and magical place that brings us together. visitprairiefire.com and visitthemap.org
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].
About Skills Challenge USA
Skills Challenge USA hosts fun and competitive soccer events for players of all ages and skill levels. Our mission is to promote the sport of soccer and help players develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment. Join us at the Skills Challenge event and show us what you’ve got! For more information, visit www.skillschallengeusa.com.