Contact:
Sara Soli
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
[email protected]
BLAINE, Minn., (May 20, 2020) — The National Sports Center (NSC) announced today that all planned tournaments and leagues produced by the NSC, including the 2020 Target USA CUP, have been cancelled through July of 2020. The decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our players, coaches, referees, employees, volunteers, and fans. Due to COVID-19, the safety risk, and the implications it has caused around the world, we are unable to host these events including the international youth soccer tournament this year.
The NSC was slated to produce four youth soccer tournaments, adult league hockey and soccer and a variety of development sport programs in the months of June and July. For the past 35 years, the NSC has welcomed teams from across the globe for a one-of-a-kind international youth soccer experience – Target USA Cup. In 2019, Target USA CUP welcomed 1,152 teams from 22 states and 20 countries, once again owning its status as the largest youth soccer tournament in the United States.
“For 35 years Target USA CUP has been known for being much more than just a soccer tournament. The international flare from players and referees, the variety of activities around campus during the week, pin trading and our Opening Ceremonies event all help to create our one-of-a-kind experience,” said Todd Johnson, Executive Director of the National Sports Center. “In addition to safety, we knew that it would be impossible for us to create an event with the caliber of activities and offerings that our players have come to look forward to year after year.”
The National Sports Center and Target look forward to welcoming teams and fans back to a bigger and better event in 2021.
The National Sports Center will continue to rent its’ facilities to outside renters to use as practice and training facilities during the months of June and July. Victory Links Golf Course on the NSC campus will continue to be open to the public for play as well.
“Our team has created a safe operations policy and we will continue to work with outside partners to ensure that athletes can use our facilities in a safe manner,” Johnson said.
Stay safe and healthy,
The National Sports Center
About the National Sports Center:
The National Sports Center is one of the world’s largest amateur sports facilities. The NSC operates over 100 unique programs and events in a variety of sports as well as hosting numerous national and international competitions. The facility boasts an annual attendance of over 4 million visitors each year. The NSC is a priceless, innovative and a unique asset to Minnesota sports families and to the local economy as well.
The campus covers nearly 700 acres and includes 50 grass multi-use athletic fields, the eight-sheet Super Rink, the 18-hole Victory Links golf course, a 5,500 seat stadium, the indoor Sports Hall with an artificial turf field, the Sport Expo Center featuring basketball and volleyball courts and a 180-bed residence hall.
In addition to being the home of Minnesota United FC, the NSC houses the offices of Blaine Soccer Club.
The NSC is a State of Minnesota campus but is operated by the National Sports Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is self-sustaining and receives no annual operating funding from the state.
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