International Panda Cup Soccer Showcase Hits Lewisville, Texas, March 22-24

Soccer players from around the globe will be featured during the 2013 Panda Cup International Soccer Showcase being held March 22-24 in Lewisville. Events will be held at Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park.

This is the fourth year for Panda Cup to be held in Lewisville. The event features soccer teams of all ages and skill levels. The festivities kick off Friday, March 22 with the Panda Cup Foundation VIP Outreach Social at the Lewisville Municipal Annex, 1197 W. Main, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Music, food and drinks will be available. Speaker will be Dr. Fred H. Sorrells of the International Institute of Sport.

Panda Cup social outreach activities will be held at Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park Saturday and Sunday, including a donation station to collect gently used athletic gear for children in Haiti and stuffed animals for patients at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.

Saturday, March 23 – 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park

·         12:30 p.m. - Panda Cup Music Festival -  Steve Jackson Band  & Pusher Betty Band

·         2:30 p.m. -  Kick-Off Panda Cup Outreach Celebration Match: Gainesville State School vs. Faith Christian High School Soccer Game

·         4:30 p.m. - Special Olympics Texas Event - Panda Cup Festival

·         6:30 p.m. - International Highlight Games - Opening Ceremony and Match Canada vs. USA U17 Girls Club Teams

·         Youth and Elite Matches (All Day)

Sunday, March 24 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park

·         International Highlight Games - Opening Ceremony and Match

·         Canada vs. USA U17 Girls Club Teams

·         Youth and Elite Matches (All Day)

Panda Cup started in 2006 and is based in North Texas. The showcase, produced by Zen Sports Group, has been held in Lewisville since 2010 under an agreement with Lewisville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Lewisville Parks & Leisure Services. The Panda Cup Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization created to provide outreach programs and promote culture, sportsmanship and love for the game of soccer.

Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park opened in November 2009, as the largest capital project in Lewisville history. The 269-acre park features eight soccer fields, four baseball fields, four football fields, three concession stands, three manmade lakes, the city’s first skate park and the city’s first dog park. The city reached a 10-year naming rights agreement with Toyota of Lewisville in 2010.

For information on Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park, please visit www.cityoflewisville.com. For information on the Panda Cup, please visit www.pandacup.com.

Media contact: Parks and Leisure Services Director Bob Monaghan, 972-219-3552