The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), Valley Forge Sports, and Eastern Youth Soccer announced Thursday one of the largest youth sporting events to ever be brought to the county, the 2023 US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup. The tournament is scheduled for June 16-20, 2023, and is expected to have 140 teams consisting of 2,500 players. The games will be played on fields at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting (Whitemarsh Township) and The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township).
It is anticipated that the teams, referees, and fans will generate 4,000 room nights at hotels in Montgomery County and generate $4.8 million in economic impact.
“Our Sports team continues to be a driving force within our tourism board, producing over $75 million dollars in economic impact last year, and this year, we are pacing ahead of that, and 20% ahead of 2019 levels!” said VFTCB Sports Director Jon Scheuren. “This positive momentum is something to celebrate as it benefits our hospitality community; meaning all of these soccer teams, and their families will be staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants and shopping in our stores.”
The five-day tournament is part of a national competition and one of four regional events with winners advancing to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup. The teams from 11 states will compete in group play for the first three days, one game per day across 16 different fields. Group stage winners will advance to the semi-finals on the fourth day and the finals on the fifth day.
Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence shared, “Having such incredible sports facilities in the county helps attract big events like this and put us on the map as a sports destination!”
In a collaborative effort, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and Valley Forge Sports presented a formal proposal to US Youth Soccer to host the Presidents Cup event. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome will serve as chair of the local organizing committee, which also includes the VFTCB/Valley Forge Sports, Colonial School District, and The Proving Grounds. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is the governing body for soccer ages 19 and below in the eastern part of Pennsylvania.
“Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is excited and honored to bring a championship event to Montgomery County to showcase the great youth soccer teams of our region, as well as the first-class facilities and accommodations in the Valley Forge area,” said Branscome, “We’re thrilled to have collaborated with Valley Forge Sports, Colonial School District, the Proving Grounds, and elected officials to bring this event home to our very own backyard.”
Photo: Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board