Valley Forge Sports Teams with Eastern Youth Soccer for 2023 Event, a $4.8M Score for the Economy

The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), Valley Forge Sports, and Eastern Youth Soccer are collaborating on one of the largest youth sporting events to ever be brought to the county: the 2023 U.S. Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup.

Representatives from Valley Forge Sports and Montgomery County shared details on the June 16–20, 2023, tournament set to be hosted at both Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (Plymouth Meeting) and The Proving Grounds (Conshohocken).

The event will benefit half of Montgomery County hotels, contributing roughly 4,000 room nights and $4.8 million in economic impact.

This five-day tournament is part of a national competition and one of four regional events with winners advancing to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup.

Approximately 140 teams with more than 2,500 players and 60 referees will participate from state associations that include Conn., Del., Md., N.H., N.Y. (eastern and west), Pa. (eastern and west), R.I., Vt., and W. Va.

Teams will compete in group play for the first three days, one game per day across 16 different fields. Group stage winners will advance to the semi-finals on the fourth day, and the finals on the fifth day.

“Our sports team continues to be a driving force within our tourism board, producing over $75 million dollars in economic impact last year, and this year, we are pacing ahead of that, and 20 percent ahead of 2019 levels.” said VFTCB Sports Director Jon Scheuren. “This positive momentum is something to celebrate, as it benefits our hospitality community — meaning all these soccer teams and their families will be staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants, and shopping in our stores.”

Valley Forge and Montco are no stranger to hosting national tournaments. Recently, the area hosted competitions that include:

• USA Climbing Sport & Speed Youth National Championships (2019, 2022)
• LPGA Symetra Tour (2019)
• USA Weightlifting American Open Series 2 (2018)
• USA BMX Quaker State National Championship Series (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022 [this fall])

Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence, attending the announcement, said, “Having such incredible sports facilities in the county helps attract big events like this and put us on the map as a sports destination.”

Celebrating 50 years, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is the governing body for soccer ages 19 and below in the eastern part of the state. It is the sixth largest State Soccer Association in the country, with 375 member leagues and clubs and 120,000 players. The group is a member of both U.S. Soccer, the national governing body, and U.S. Youth Soccer.

In a collaborated effort, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and Valley Forge Sports presented a formal proposal to U.S. Youth Soccer to host the Presidents Cup event. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome will serve as chair of the local organizing committee, which also includes the VFTCB/Valley Forge Sports, Colonial School District, and The Proving Grounds.

“Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is excited and honored to bring a championship event to Montgomery County to showcase the great youth soccer teams of our region, as well as the first-class facilities and accommodations in the Valley Forge area,” said Branscome, “We’re thrilled to have collaborated with Valley Forge Sports, Colonial School District, the Proving Grounds, and elected officials to bring this event home to our very own backyard.”

More information on this high-profile, economically advantageous event coming to Montgomery County is on the VFTCB website.