The visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series Returns to Greater Raleigh

The visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series is back, hosting teams from across the U.S. and Canada in Greater Raleigh. Elite competition meets world-class facilities — Greater Raleigh is the ultimate soccer destination this season.

Over the last 50 years, North Carolina FC (NCFC) Youth has positively impacted more than one million players through local programs, outreach efforts and tournament hosting. NCFC Youth’s largest annual youth and amateur sporting event, the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series returned to WRAL Soccer Park and other regional venues in November and December. Renowned for its elite competition and a strong reputation among college coaches, the event brings more than 1,400 teams representing more than 35 states, Washington D.C. and Canada to compete in front of approximately 1,000 college coaches over four weeks.

Greater Raleigh is poised to attract some of soccer's top athletes and fans nationwide with an exciting lineup of youth and collegiate showcases. In total, the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series is expected to bring 72,250 visitors to the area, equaling over 32,850 room nights and an estimated $28.7 million in economic impact, making it Wake County's most impactful sporting event for the tourism economy. Athletes and their families have the opportunity to engage with the Greater Raleigh community by exploring local restaurants, shops and attractions, while competing at some of the area's world-class sporting facilities. Known for historic landmarks and burgeoning cosmopolitan offerings — arts, festivals, shopping and unique sporting events —Greater Raleigh is a leading destination for sports and culture in the Southeast.

The host organization, NCFC Youth, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, making the series a significant milestone for the club. NCFC Youth is the largest youth soccer club in North Carolina with nearly 17,000 players, and it’s the largest youth-to-professional soccer club in the country. Notably, the club sent 59 high school graduates from the class of 2024 on to college soccer programs, and more than 60 players from the club have gone on to play professionally.

Young athletes can showcase their skills to the array of college coaches in attendance, opening the door to potential recruitment that could shape their academic and athletic futures. Competing against teams from around the country introduces them to new playing styles and strategies essential for their growth and development in the sport. The visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series offers young athletes the unique opportunity to play alongside elite players, which encourages resilience, teamwork and a shared love for the game.

Visit this link for more information about the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series.