OLATHE, Kan. — Aug. 3, 2026 — Heartland Soccer Association, the largest youth soccer league and tournament host in the United States, officially opened its 2026 fall tournament season this past weekend with the Heartland Open Cup, held July 31-Aug. 2 at the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex.
The tournament provided boys and girls teams from across the region with an early opportunity to prepare for the fall season through competitive tournament play before league schedules began. Multiple divisions ensured balanced matchups for teams of all skill levels.
“There’s a lot of excitement that comes with the start of a new soccer season,” said Shane Hackett, executive director of Heartland Soccer Association. “The Heartland Open Cup gave teams an opportunity to compete early, build momentum and enjoy a great weekend of soccer.”
Throughout the weekend, all matches at the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex were streamed live through VidSport, home to the world’s largest fixed AI camera installation at a soccer-specific facility. Fans were able to watch matches from anywhere while players gained access to automated game footage and individual highlights for recruiting, player development and game analysis.
The Heartland Open Cup opened Heartland Soccer’s fall tournament calendar, which continues throughout the season with the Fall Kick Off Challenge, Heartland Midwest Classic, Midwest All Boys Tournament, Midwest All Girls Tournament and the Children’s Mercy Heartland Invitational tournaments. Together, these events will welcome teams from across the Midwest for months of competitive soccer in the Kansas City area.
For tournament information, schedules and registration details, visit HeartlandSoccer.net.
About Heartland Soccer Association
Heartland Soccer, the largest youth soccer league in the United States, boasts an impressive roster of more than 2,800 league teams and 3,700 tournament teams annually. With a staggering count of 100,000 youth soccer players, 4,000 coaches, and 2,000 active referees, Heartland Soccer Association has established itself as a prominent organization since its inception in 1977. Starting with 600 players, the association has expanded its reach to encompass teams from 16 states and international participants, offering both league play and tournaments. For further details, please visit www.heartlandsoccer.net.
Heartland Soccer extends a range of opportunities for league and tournament sponsorship. Partnerships serve as integral members in nurturing an ever-growing soccer family within the community. Sponsorship not only amplifies brand visibility for businesses but also directly contributes to the development of Kansas City’s youth through soccer. To explore sponsorship options, kindly reach out to Bridgette Samuelson, Director of Partnership Development and Operations, at bridgette@heartlandsoccer.net.
