U.S. Soccer and The Soccer Tournament Announce Strategic Partnership to Grow the Game
ATLANTA and BOSTON (July 8, 2025) — The U.S. Soccer Federation and The Soccer Tournament (TST) today announced a new strategic partnership aimed at furthering TST’s growth, thereby expanding access to the game and engaging the next generation of soccer fans. This collaboration supports U.S. Soccer’s mission to exist in service to soccer and enhances its ability to reach new audiences through innovative competition formats like TST. By joining forces with TST, U.S. Soccer is creating new opportunities for fan engagement, increasing participation, and bringing the game to everyone, everywhere.
The partnership also reinforces U.S. Soccer’s commitment to fostering innovative competitions and alternative formats of the game, complementing recent initiatives such as the Brandi Chastain Cup, the Hank Steinbrecher Cup, and this year’s increased investment in the U.S. Open Cup.
“This new partnership reflects that we recognize new formats of soccer help to grow interest and participation in the game,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “We’re excited to work with TST and support new soccer competitions— staying true to our mission of working in service to soccer.”
TST’s high-energy, 7v7 format—featuring a $1 million prize for both men and women—has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, combining sport, culture, and innovation. The 2025 tournament held last month at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., featured 134 matches, 64 teams (48 men’s and 16 women’s), and more than 50,000 fans. For the second consecutive year, the event was carried on the ESPN family of networks, welcomed the Pat McAfee Show on site, and showcased a variety of celebrities, influencers, and global soccer talent, including former U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team players and clubs representing leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, Liga MX, and the NWSL.
“TST is proud to partner with U.S. Soccer to grow our event and the broader game even further in support of expanding the soccer ecosystem,” said TST CEO Jon Mugar. “There is extraordinary demand from both fans and participants eager to experience our festival. This partnership will help us meet that demand and continue building a high-profile pathway that showcases young talent, brings star players back into meaningful competition, and excites new fans.”
This unique partnership is focused on leveraging the full breadth of U.S. Soccer’s capabilities—from technical expertise and player and team relationships to strategic insights and meaningful partnerships—to expand the event’s reach and relevance. It also aims to spotlight alternative soccer formats that promote lifelong participation and fandom, ensuring more people fall in love with the game, stay connected to it for the long term, and ultimately help fuel growth at every level of the sport.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused on three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.
About The Tournament
Founded in 2014, The Tournament specializes in hosting high-stakes, open-application sporting events distributed across the world. Its first property, The Basketball Tournament (TBT), has crowned 11 champions, awarded more than $14 million in prizes, and ushered in innovations such as the Elam Ending®. Launched in June 2023, The Soccer Tournament (TST) marked The Tournament’s expansion beyond basketball. In 2024, The Tournament entered into women’s sports with the creation of TST's women’s event, which featured an equivalent $1 million prize to the men's event. For more information on The Tournament and its properties, visit TheTournament.com.