The Soccer Tournament Extends Agreement in Cary, North Carolina
New four-year extension comes with $6.8 million in state grant support
Posted On: October 28, 2025 By :The Soccer Tournament, in partnership with the Town of Cary, North Carolina, has reached a long-term extension to keep the 7v7 soccer festival at WakeMed Soccer Park through 2029. The partnership was supported by a grant from the NC Department of Commerce Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund, which will reimburse eligible in-state expenses up to $6.8 million over the duration of the agreement.
“What makes Cary special is our people,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “Our staff, our volunteers, and our citizens always show up and take pride in making visitors feel welcome. The state’s investment is a recognition of that and how amazing our facilities are. We’re proud to keep hosting The Soccer Tournament and to continue sharing this experience with our community and the world for years to come.”
Entering its fourth year in Cary, TST has continued to expand its global reach. The 2025 event doubled the size of the women’s tournament to 16 teams and achieved a record attendance of 51,730. Nearly 2,000 players representing 34 countries competed across the men’s and women’s fields.
“The Town of Cary and its residents have played a major role in TST becoming the preeminent small-sided soccer festival in the world,” said TST CEO Jon Mugar. “Our number one goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience to fans and participants, further cementing TST as a worldwide destination. This support will go a long way toward ensuring we are able to continue to deliver on that.”
In 2025, an estimated 31,657 fans traveled to Cary from outside Wake County, including visitors from all 50 states, Canada and the United Kingdom. The event featured a larger festival footprint with club activations, international food and two live broadcasts of ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.” In post-event surveys, 80% of attendees called TST the best soccer event they had attended in the past year, and 87% said they would recommend it to friends and family.
According to the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, TST has generated $23.9 million in total economic impact for Cary and Wake County since 2024.
The 2025 tournament generated more than $14.7 million in estimated direct economic impact, including over $547,000 in local tax revenue, generating nearly 20,000 room nights.
TST has been held at the 158-acre WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary since its inception in 2023.
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