BLAINE, Minn. – (July 12, 2018) – The 2018 Schwan’s USA CUP youth soccer tournament at the National Sports Center in Blaine will generate $36 million of economic impact during its nine-day run that started on July 13.
Visitor spending will also generate a projected $233 thousand in local tax revenue. The 34th annual tournament will draw 1,150 teams, representing 20 different countries, 20 states, and four Canadian provinces.
In addition to the teams, USA CUP attracts a diverse corps of referees. This year 170 international referees will represent 19 different countries, including nine countries not represented by teams.
The tournament is the largest soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere. This year’s total is the third largest in the history of the tournament. This high mark was set in 2016, with 1,178 teams, and this year’s total is just 28 teams shy of that.
The economic impact of Schwan’s USA CUP has been recognized by Explore Minnesota, earlier this year USA CUP was named the Minnesota Tourism Event of the Year.
