VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.— The 31st annual North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC), one of the largest charitable sports festivals in the region, will be held at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront from June 6 to 8. The event will bring together approximately 800 amateur and professional sand soccer teams, featuring divisions ranging from Under-8 to Over-40.
Spanning two miles of oceanfront, the tournament is expected to attract approximately 100,000 attendees over three days. Notably, 77 percent of visitors are expected to travel from outside the Virginia Beach area, generating between 8,500 and 11,000 hotel room nights, which significantly contributes to the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
With the games being played five-on-five on 66+ sand fields spanning 25 blocks of oceanfront, the competition is expected to be as intense as it is entertaining. With its nonstop action, quick substitutions, and highlight-reel goals, beach soccer has often been compared to the energy and speed of ice hockey and lacrosse—only on sand.
“We are excited to welcome thousands of families and friends to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for our 31st anniversary,” says Lauren Bland, NASSC executive director. “The vibe at the oceanfront is upbeat, friendly, and feels like the world’s largest soccer reunion. Our participants have asked for more festival entertainment, and we are excited to deliver a vendor village, nightly entertainment, and enhanced beverage options next to our stadium. Thank you to all of the sponsors, vendors, teams, committee members, referees, and City of Virginia Beach staff that make our event possible!”
The 31st anniversary celebration festival entertainment includes a vendor village featuring a number of local businesses, a beer tent, beach activities, and the U.S Open Championships (Men’s and Women’s).
The U.S. Open at NASSC attracts elite beach soccer players around the world. This year, athletes from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, and the local region will compete for a cash prize and the prestigious title of U.S. Open Champion. Three-time NASSC U.S. Open Men’s Champion and last year’s winner, Maryzillians, is making a return. They will be joined by Punta Hermosa and Barra de Santiago Beach Soccer Clubs. Crowd favorite, SoCal Legacy, will also return for their 3rd U.S. Open. NASSC continues to serve as a premier platform for emerging talent to gain national attention and potentially earn a spot on the U.S. National Beach Soccer Team.
For more information, please visit: www.sandsoccer.com
