The Soccer Tournament returns to Cary: What to know about the global soccer festival

CARY, N.C. (WNCN) — Soccer’s global spotlight is returning to the Triangle.

The Soccer Tournament (TST) returns to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary from May 27 through June 1, bringing together professional clubs, former international stars, celebrity-backed teams and rising talent for six days of seven-on-seven competition and three $1 million prizes.

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Now entering its fourth year in Cary, the rapidly growing event has become one of the sport’s premier summer showcases, with organizers expecting more than 2,000 athletes from around the world to compete across the men’s, women’s and newly introduced mixed divisions.

The men’s tournament will feature 48 teams, while the women’s field expands to 16 squads in 2026. New this year is a 12-team mixed competition, where men and women alternate quarters in matches played under TST’s signature Target Score Time format.

“It’s pretty special to see this kind of soccer excitement coming back to Cary,” Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said in a statement. “With the World Cup on the horizon, TST gives fans from Cary, across North Carolina, and beyond a chance to experience world-class soccer right here at WakeMed Soccer Park. We’re proud to welcome the players, families and visitors who will make Cary feel like the center of the soccer world for six days.”

TST has grown significantly since debuting in Cary in 2023. Organizers said the 2025 tournament drew a record 51,730 fans to WakeMed Soccer Park.

This year’s event will include teams representing 15 countries and eight professional leagues across four continents, including EFL Championship side Wrexham AFC, LaLiga’s Villarreal CF, Liga MX giant Club América and Cary-based NWSL club North Carolina Courage.

“This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever,” TST CEO Jon Mugar said in a statement. “We have over 2,000 athletes flying in from all over the world, three million-dollar goals on the line, and food vendors from across the country.”

Previous editions of TST have boasted teams from major international clubs and leagues, including Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and the English Premier League. The tournament has also attracted high-profile athletes and celebrities from outside soccer, including Pat McAfee, Chad Ochocinco and JJ Watt, alongside Watt’s wife, former UNC and NWSL standout Kealia Watt.

The women’s side has quickly become one of the tournament’s marquee attractions. U.S. Women — made up of former U.S. women’s national team stars — captured titles in both 2024 and 2025 after the women’s division was introduced.

How the tournament works

Group-stage play begins Wednesday for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Teams compete in round-robin matches before advancing into single-elimination knockout rounds, culminating with championship matches on Monday.

All games use TST’s Target Score Time rules, where a target score is set late in the match and teams play until someone scores the winning goal — eliminating ties and guaranteeing dramatic finishes.

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Celebrities, defending champions and marquee matchups

The men’s field once again features several internationally recognized clubs and celebrity-backed teams, including Gerard Piqué’s Kings League All-Stars, Sergio Agüero’s KRÜ FC and Dreamville FC, organized by rapper J. Cole’s Dreamville Records label.

Among the most anticipated group-stage matchups are Villarreal CF versus Club América on Thursday and Kings League All-Stars against KRÜ FC on Wednesday.

The women’s bracket doubles in size this year to 16 teams.

Two-time defending champions U.S. Women return with former World Cup stars Heather O’Reilly, Jessica McDonald and Allie Long. The field also includes Hope Solo’s Solo FC, Liga MX Femenil side Club América, North Carolina Courage and KC Current II.

One of the marquee women’s matchups is Solo FC taking on North Carolina Courage on Friday.

Mixed tournament debuts in 2026

A new mixed-gender competition also headlines this year’s event.

The 12-team bracket features men and women alternating quarters while competing under TST’s Target Score Time rules. Teams include Landon Donovan’s Sneaky FC, Hope Solo’s Solo FC, Wrexham Red Dragons and Hashtag United.

Cary Cup brings youth players into the spotlight

TST week in Cary will also include the Cary Cup, a youth tournament designed around the same seven-on-seven format and Target Score Time rules used in the professional competition.

“More than 200 teams from 11 states — including over 3,000 players and coaches — will compete across Cary, Apex and Holly Springs from Friday through Sunday.”

Championship matches are set to be played at WakeMed Soccer Park during TST’s Sunday semifinal sessions for the first time.

Every registered participant will also receive a complimentary multi-session TST ticket, allowing youth players to watch professional and international stars compete on the same fields where they play.

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TST 2026 Men’s Groups

• Group A: Bumpy Pitch, Cardinal Legacy, LCF Academy, Legio FC
• Group B: Pumas de Alabama, Hernandez United, La Mexicana Express, Piece of Cake FC
• Group C: Kings League All-Stars, KRÜ FC, City Soccer FC, Dark Horse NC United
• Group D: Genefit FC, Hoosier Army, TMT Chicago, Tobacco Road FC
• Group E: Dreamville FC, Drip FC, Say Word FC, The 610
• Group F: West Ham United / Furia, Orlando Pirates, Real Athletico, Edmonton Rangers
• Group G: La Bombonera, Boca Dallas, Mint Hill FC, Charmour
• Group H: Podpah Funkbol Clube, Kwik Goal FC, RG10 Footb, Brown Ballers FC
• Group I: Wythenshawe Vets FC, Pasha Luxury FC, Weiss OCFC, Dueling for Lincoln
• Group J: Club América, Villarreal CF, Cagliari Calcio, Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Group K: Reggae Rovers, Amarillo Bombers, Ambush Stars FC, Tactical Manager’s Flo Sharks
• Group L: Drunken Monkeys, Freedom United, Trident FC, Soccer Central

Notable Men’s Group Stage Matches

• Kings League All-Stars vs. KRÜ FC — May 27, 6:45 p.m. ET
• Club América vs. Villarreal CF — May 28, 5 p.m. ET
• Dreamville FC vs. Drip FC — May 28, 7 p.m. ET
• Villarreal CF vs. Cagliari Calcio — May 27, 12:30 p.m. ET
• Cagliari Calcio vs. Club América — May 27, 7:15 p.m. ET
• Wythenshawe Vets FC vs. Pasha Luxury — May 27, 8:15 p.m. ET

TST 2026 Women’s Groups

• Group A: Club América, U.S. Women, Kansas City II, Sportive
• Group B: Bumpy Pitch FC, Ultrain FC, Simply Futbol FC, City Soccer FC
• Group C: Solo FC, Iowa Demon Hawks, NC Courage, Rated Sports FC
• Group D: Austin Rise FC, Reunion City Dallas, Drunken Monkeys, Speedy Turtles

Notable Women’s Group Stage Matches

• U.S. Women vs. Club América — May 28, 6:30 p.m. ET
• Solo FC vs. North Carolina Courage — May 29, 10 p.m. ET
• Kansas City II vs. U.S. Women — May 29, 1:15 p.m. ET 
• Iowa Demon Hawks vs. Solo FC — May 29, 11:45 a.m. ET

TST 2026 Schedule

• May 27 — Men’s group stage
• May 28 — Men’s and women’s group stage
• May 29 — Men’s Round of 32, women’s and mixed group stage
• May 30 — Men’s Round of 16, final mixed group stage match, all quarterfinals
• May 31 — All semifinal matches
• June 1 — All three $1 million championship games