Summer 2026 delivered some of the most competitive and well-attended youth soccer tournaments in recent memory. Whether your team made a deep run or you are already planning next summer, these are the five tournaments that soccer families across the country searched for most — and why they belong on your radar for 2027.
1. 31st Green Mountain Challenge — Manchester, VT
When a tournament reaches its 31st year, it has earned its reputation. The Green Mountain Challenge, held in Manchester, Vermont, is one of New England's most enduring youth soccer events. Families travel from across the Northeast for the combination of competitive soccer and the natural beauty of Vermont in June. Manchester is a small town, which means hotels fill up fast — if you are planning to attend next year, booking early is essential.
The tournament draws competitive club teams across multiple age groups, making it a strong proving ground for players preparing for fall season tryouts and league play.
View the Green Mountain Challenge listing on SupaSoccer →
Traveling to Manchester, VT? Find family-friendly hotels near the venue on Hotels.com →
2. 2026 ODP Sub-Regional Summer Tournament — St. Louis, MO
ODP stands for Olympic Development Program — the national player identification pipeline run by US Soccer. Getting into an ODP tournament is itself a mark of recognition. The Sub-Regional Summer Tournament brings together the top ODP-identified players from across a multi-state region, competing in St. Louis against their peers at the highest level of youth development soccer.
For players and families, this is not just another tournament weekend. ODP participation is one of the pathways that college coaches and national team scouts monitor closely. St. Louis has a deep soccer culture and is well set up to host high-level youth competition.
View the ODP Sub-Regional listing on SupaSoccer →
Traveling to St. Louis? Search hotels in St. Louis on Hotels.com →
3. Coastal Cup Summer Classic — Hillsborough, NJ
The Coastal Cup Summer Classic in Hillsborough, New Jersey is a fixture on the mid-Atlantic club soccer calendar. Located in central New Jersey with easy access from the tri-state area, it draws competitive teams from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The late June timing makes it one of the last competitive events before summer break, giving teams a meaningful benchmark heading into the fall season.
Hillsborough is well positioned for families driving in for the weekend, with plenty of hotel options in the surrounding Somerset County area.
View the Coastal Cup Summer Classic listing on SupaSoccer →
Traveling to Hillsborough, NJ? Find hotels near the venue on Hotels.com →
4. Alaska Airlines Cup and College ID Play Showcase — Anchorage, AK
This one is unique. The Alaska Airlines Cup doubles as a College ID Play Showcase, meaning college coaches are actively in attendance to evaluate players. That combination of competitive tournament play and direct college exposure makes this event stand out from a typical summer tournament.
Anchorage is a destination trip for most families, which adds to the significance of attending. Players who make the journey are already demonstrating the kind of commitment that college programs want to see. The June 4 through 7 format gives teams four days of competition in a city that offers plenty for families to do between matches.
If your high school player is being recruited, this event is worth putting on the list for 2027. The College ID component means coaches can see your player in competition without requiring a separate campus visit or training session invitation.
View the Alaska Airlines Cup listing on SupaSoccer →
Traveling to Anchorage? Find hotels in Anchorage on Hotels.com →
5. Dave Shelton Memorial Cup — Escondido, CA
Named in honor of Dave Shelton, this memorial tournament carries the kind of meaning that goes beyond a bracket. Memorial tournaments in youth soccer are typically organized by clubs or associations that knew the person being honored — they tend to be well run, community-driven events with strong local support.
Escondido sits in San Diego County, about 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. The late June timing and Southern California location make this a natural end-of-summer event for clubs across the Southwest. Families who extend the trip have one of the best metro areas in the country right nearby.
View the Dave Shelton Memorial Cup listing on SupaSoccer →
Traveling to Escondido? Search San Diego area hotels on Hotels.com →
Planning for Summer 2027
If any of these tournaments are on your radar for next year, the single most important thing you can do right now is get on the organizer mailing list and book travel early. Tournament weekends in smaller cities — Manchester, VT and Hillsborough, NJ in particular — see hotels sell out weeks in advance once registration opens.
SupaSoccer tracks tournament listings nationwide. You can search by state, date, or age group to find the right events for your player and plan the season in advance.
