Wichita, Stryker selected to host 2023 youth soccer national championship tournament
One of the nation’s largest youth soccer tournaments is coming to Wichita next summer.
Stryker Sports Complex will host the 15th annual National Presidents Cup from July 7-12, 2023, US Youth Soccer announced Wednesday.
“Kansas Youth Soccer is ecstatic about having the opportunity to show off another great soccer community in the great state of Kansas,” KYSA executive director Joe Burger said in a statement. “Wichita has a great soccer history and we look forward to showcasing the great soccer facilities and amenities that were born from Wichita’s passion for the game.”
Past locations for the event have included Greensboro, North Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Westfield, Indiana; and Auburndale, Florida. The six-day competition features boys and girls teams from across the country, ranging from 13-under all the way up to 19-under teams.
According to the US Youth Soccer website, the National Presidents Cup is “designed for teams seeking additional challenges to play against teams of similar abilities for a national title.”
“To say that we are excited and humbled to have been chosen is an understatement,” Stryker general manager Larry Inlow said in a statement. “Athletes and spectators alike can expect to see fantastic teams, experience excellent competition, and create lifelong memories. We look forward to receiving teams from across the nation, including them to our great city and supporting them as they compete for a national championship.”
In the official release, US Youth Soccer praised the quality of the Stryker Sports Complex facility, which features 11 turf fields, and the location in Wichita with numerous shopping, dining and entertainment options for visitors. The bid to host the tournament was submitted earlier this year by Visit Wichita.
“Wichita is an amazing sports city, a place where sports thrive and Midwest hospitality stands ready to welcome visitors from all over the country,” Visit Wichita president Susie Santo said in the release. “I am proud of the effort put into this bid by our team at Visit Wichita and the collaboration with city, county and state officials that gave us a competitive edge to bring this event to Wichita.”
This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 2:20 PM.
.jpg)