Overview
- The Soccer Tournament opened Wednesday at WakeMed Soccer Park with group‑stage 7‑on‑7 matches under a six‑day schedule that runs through June 1.
- Three simultaneous tournaments — men’s, women’s and a new mixed division — each award a $1 million winner‑take‑all prize and use shortened, high‑scoring matches.
- Organizers and town leaders project the event will bring 50,000–70,000 visitors and generate over $10 million for the Triangle economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants and small vendors.
- The festival‑style setup features games on multiple fields, live entertainment, player meet‑and‑greets and celebrity squads that include names such as Landon Donovan, Hope Solo, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Agüero.
- WakeMed and TST enforce operational rules that affect attendees, including required online parking purchases, a clear‑bag policy and bans on outside food, detachable‑lens cameras, drones and weapons.