OVERLAND PARK, Ks. – The largest youth soccer organization in the country, US Youth Soccer, has selected Overland Park, Ks., to host the 2024 and 2025 Midwest Regional Championships.
Both events will be held at Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex.
Next year will mark a special milestone for US Youth Soccer as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary by returning to Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex for the fourth time, having hosted the National Championships at the complex on three previous occasions. This will be the first time the complex has hosted the regional championship, which will be larger in scale than the national championships previously played at the complex. Each year, these championship events are estimated to generate more than $8.2 million in direct economic impact for Overland Park.
“We are honored that US Youth Soccer recognized the strength of our community, its facilities, and our ability to host these prestigious championships,” says Eric Olson, vice president of sports and events, Visit Overland Park (Visit OP). “The selection of Overland Park is further validation of Visit OP’s sports tourism strategy.”
According to a media release, the selection of Overland Park demonstrates “the power sporting events can have on a community.” Local officials believe this achievement is further evidence of the value of sports tourism and Overland Park’s ability to compete regionally and nationally maximizing the array of sports facilities within the community.
“The Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex was built for this moment, and we look forward to hosting players, coaches, officials, and families from all over the Midwest to enjoy and experience all OP has to offer,” says Warren Wilkinson, president, Visit Overland Park.
In collaboration with Visit Olathe, the regional championships will also be held at the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex in Olathe, Kansas.
