Global Contenders Competing in Cary at The Soccer Tournament (TST)

 The Soccer Tournament (TST), the 7v7 event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize, will return to Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park from June 5-10, 2024. Building off an innovative first-time event in June 2023 with a sold-out crowd of 35,000 fans, TST 2024 is expanding from 32 to 48 men’s teams, in addition to an eight-team women’s tournament. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments are offering their own $1 million winner-take-all prize, making TST the highest-stakes women’s professional soccer event in the world. TST 2024 will culminate in a championship game doubleheader on June 10, where a total of $2 million in prize money will be awarded. The event is projected to generate $15 million in direct economic impact for the area.
 

The men’s bracket boasts an impressive lineup of teams from 10 countries, including 10 professional clubs. Notably, the Wrexham Red Dragons, co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are set to compete again this year. Joining them is The Concafa Soccer Club, led by former NFL punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee and coached by former US National Team goalkeeper Tony Meola. European giant contenders Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and former Manchester City stars Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli will also be participating.

 
Competing alongside them will be Burnley FC, with former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt and his wife, former NWSL player Kealia Watt, leading their respective teams onto the pitch. Burnley FC and Wrexham Red Dragons are the first two clubs in TST to have teams represented in both the men’s and women’s events.

 
The women’s eight-team field will feature squads from four different countries, including five professional clubs, one of them being Cary’s hometown team, the NC Courage. Leading the Courage to the pitch will be Jessica McDonald, current U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) player and NC Courage club ambassador, as they try to defend their home turf and reach TST glory. Joining the coaching staff for the U.S. Women’s team are two women’s soccer legends, Mia Hamm and Carli Lloyd. The women’s competition will be headlined by former USWNT player Heather O’Reily and NWSL star/ESPN analyst Ali Krieger, adding to the already extensive professional experience and leadership within the tournament.
 

"We are thrilled for this year's tournament in Cary,” said TST founder and CEO Jon Mugar. “From June 5-10, fans can watch 118 games that include some of the biggest celebrities and legends of the game, enjoy a unique fan festival that includes activations from our club partners and food samplings from their cultures, while also taking in ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show live on location at WakeMed Soccer Park. This is an event fans of the beautiful game will not want to miss." 

 
Consistently ranked among the most-desirable places to live, work, have fun and do business in the United States with a prime location near Raleigh, Research Triangle Park and RDU International Airport, Cary stands out as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts. The town boasts an impressive array of sport programs and world-class facilities that cater to athletes and fans alike.
 

“We are excited to welcome the world back to Cary for this one-of-a-kind global soccer festival with TST,” said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “It is an honor for Cary to be part of this unforgettable experience for soccer fans, whether they are cheering from the stands or from their homes, and we are proud to show everyone what Cary has to offer.”
 

TST Men’s Schedule:
Group Stage: June 5-6
Round of 32: June 7
Round of 16: June 8
Quarter-Finals: June 8 
Semi-Finals: June 9 
Final: June 10 

 
TST Women’s Schedule:
Group Stage: June 7 
Semi-Final: June 9
Final: June 10 
 

Both the men’s and women’s events will conclude in a winner-take-all championship doubleheader on June 10 on ESPNU, with a total of $2 million in prize money being awarded. Select matches for TST 2024 will be broadcast on the ESPN networks in the United States. The Pat McAfee Show will air live during its regular time slots from noon-2pm on ESPN and noon-3pm on its YouTube channel from TST at WakeMed Soccer Park, June 5-7.

 
Fans interested in purchasing tickets to attend the event can do so at thetournament.com/tst/tickets.