BLAINE, Minn. — 2012 brings the 28th annual Schwan’s USA CUP to the campus of the National Sports Center(NSC) in Blaine. Over 200 thousand visitors will walk the grounds of the world’s largest amateur sports complex taking in thousands of soccer games being played out across 52 fields. Nine days of excitement start on Friday, July 13 and thousands of people are expected to visit the NSC during the tournament. “We are up 16 teams over last year” said the NSC’s Chief Communications Officer Barclay Kruse.
With 25,000 people per day visiting the sports center, area businesses are prepared for big crowds and big profits. “If you visit a restaurant you are probably going to have to wait…that’s a good thing” said Kruse. The overall out-of-state economic impact is estimated at $20 million a year, “the impact in Blaine is several times that” said Kruse.
After 28 years tournament organizers have worked had to keep the tournament fresh for returning teams. This year they have partnered with KDWB and Clear Channel for the Rock the Cup concert following the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday night. The tournament has also unveiled their first mobile application to help keeps teams and spectators informed during the tournament.
People from every corner of the world will descend on Blaine, Minnesota for a nine day strech. “Embrace the event…this is our chance to show off for the world” said Kruse.
On Tuesday night tune in to Channel 15 to watch live coverage of the Opening Ceremonies and then continue to watch for select games from the tournament that will be playing on North Metro TV over the coming weeks.
