Target USA CUP

At a glance

The Target USA Cup, founded in 1985, is an international youth football tournament with more than 40 years of history.

In 2027, the weekend tournament runs from 9 to 11 July and the main tournament from 13 to 17 July in Blaine, Minnesota, USA.

Each year, more than 1,100 teams and more than 16,000 players from about 20 countries gather on more than 50 outdoor grass pitches.

It covers boys' and girls' age groups from 8U to 18/19U, plus a Special Olympics Unified division.

Its Olympic-style opening ceremony with a parade of nations and its college recruitment combine are signature features.

About the tournament

The Target USA Cup, founded in 1985, is an international youth football tournament held every July at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. More than 1,100 teams from about 20 countries, covering boys' and girls' age groups from 8U to 18/19U, play on more than 50 outdoor grass pitches. It is also known for its Olympic-style opening ceremony with a parade of nations, a college recruitment combine and various cultural exchange programs.

Details

The Target USA Cup is an international youth football tournament that started in Minnesota, USA, in 1985 and has continued for more than 40 years. It was founded by the Norwegian-American organization Sons of Norway, together with a married couple, with the aim of bringing the world together through football. It started with 78 teams in its first year. 📅 Tournament dates · In 2027, the weekend tournament runs from 9 to 11 July, and the main week-long tournament from 13 to 17 July. · Applications are accepted on the official website from 1 November 2026. 📍 Venue · Matches are played at the National Sports Center in Blaine, about a 20-minute drive north of Minneapolis. · Opened in 1990, the facility covers about 600 acres and has more than 50 full-size outdoor football pitches. · The 5,500-seat NSC Stadium is the main stadium and was the home of Minnesota United FC before it joined MLS. · The site also has an 8-sheet ice arena, a cycling velodrome, a golf course and convention space. ✈️ Airport transfers · Delta Air Lines offers discounted fares for participants. · Teams using the dormitory package have a shuttle running regularly between the accommodation and the National Sports Center. ⚽ Categories · 8U–10U Jamboree — 7v7 · 9U–10U competitive — 7v7 · 11U–12U — 9v9 · 13U–18/19U — 11v11 · Special Olympics Unified division — players with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same team. · Teams can register in all boys' and girls' categories. 🏆 Participating teams · The organizers state that more than 1,100 teams and more than 16,000 players come each year from about 20 countries and 25 US states. · The 40th-anniversary tournament in 2025 had a record 1,250 teams from 17 countries and 27 states. · Players from all 50 US states and more than 100 countries have taken part so far. · Separate qualifying tournaments are held in Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, and in Texas and California in the United States. ⏱ Match format · Every team is guaranteed at least 4 matches: 3 group matches and 1 play-off match. · Halves last 25 minutes for 8U–10U, 30 minutes for 11U–12U, 35 minutes for 13U–14U and 40 minutes for 15U–19U. · Older age groups from 13U are split into Gold and Silver flights, with Super Group and Bronze divisions added depending on size. · The 9U–10U Jamboree plays 4 matches without rankings. · Referees come from 17 countries and more than 25 US states; 525 were assigned in 2025. Younger categories have 1 referee per match, and 12U–19U competitive categories have 3. 🏟 Tournament operations · On the first evening of the main tournament, an Olympic-style opening ceremony is held at NSC Stadium. Teams march by country, state and club in their kits or traditional dress, carrying banners and flags, and the ceremony ends with the lighting of a torch. No ticket is needed to watch. · Side events across the campus include entry to Bunker Beach water park, a WNBA Minnesota Lynx game, an opening ceremony pasta dinner, pin trading, a college ID combine for university recruitment, a mental health campaign, vendor booths and food trucks, and a soccer expo. · Under the Stay to Play policy, teams using hotels must book an official designated hotel to be eligible; rates are 149 to 209 dollars per room per night plus tax. · Dormitory packages include accommodation, meals and shuttles. At the University of Minnesota, with 2 meals a day, they cost 325 dollars for the weekend and 545 dollars for the week; at the University of Northwestern and Concordia University St. Paul, with 3 meals a day, 340 dollars for the weekend and 590 dollars for the week. · Dormitory places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and require a deposit of 150 dollars per team.

How to enter

Applications are accepted through the online form on the official website. Submitting an application does not confirm participation; it is subject to approval by the organizers. 1️⃣ Application 1. From 1 November 2026, complete the online application form on the official application page (usacup.org/applynow). It takes 5 to 10 minutes and requires the coach's name, address and contact details. 2. Eligible teams are those belonging to a FIFA-affiliated association; within the United States, this means teams belonging to USSF member organizations such as US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, SAY and AYSO. 3. The team fee is paid when applying. For the weekend tournament it is 340 to 485 dollars per team plus 95 dollars per player; for the main tournament it is 340 to 570 dollars per team plus 95 to 123 dollars per player. 4. Only Visa and Mastercard are accepted, with a 3 percent card fee. Teams staying in dormitories pay a separate deposit of 150 dollars per team. 5. The application deadline is 4 May 2027, or earlier if a category fills up first. 6. The organizers review the application and notify you whether it has been approved. 7. Pay the player fees by 14 June 2027. 8. Rosters: 14 players for 8U–10U; 18 for 11U–12U (9v9); 18 for 13U–14U; and for 15U–18/19U, 22 in total with 18 registered per match. Up to 6 guest players are allowed, including up to 2 dual-registered players. 9. The oldest player on the team determines the team's age category. From the 2027 tournament, US Soccer's new age cut-off (1 August–31 July) applies, so check your category before applying. 10. Cancellations: if a team withdraws before 1 June, the team fee and dormitory deposit are converted into a voucher for the following year; after 1 June, only player fees are refunded. Dormitory cancellations after 18 June are not refunded. 📌 Registration summary · Applications open 1 November → online application and team fee payment → deadline 4 May → approval notice → player fees paid by 14 June

At a glance

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