ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to host 2022 US Youth Soccer National Championships

FRISCO, Texas — US Youth Soccer has announced that ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort has been selected to host the 2022 US Youth Soccer National Championships, which will take place July 19-24, 2022.

Each summer, US Youth Soccer crowns a boys and girls national champion in each of its seven age divisions: 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U and 19U. The USYS National Championships — which are a culmination of a yearlong series of competitions at the state and regional levels — will feature USYS Regional Champions and top-finishing USYS National League P.R.O. teams. The National Championships are comprised of group play, semifinals and finals, with teams eliminated after each stage of the event.

The USYS National Championships will feature up to 200 of the nation’s top youth soccer teams in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups.

“We are excited to bring the 2022 National Championships to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney,” said Skip Gilbert, USYS CEO. “This unique Florida location, where our athletes can compete on world-class fields while also celebrating with their families at the Most Magical Place on Earth, will make our National Championships even more memorable for our teams and guests. We look forward to delivering another top-flight programming experience for our elite teams in a unique and family-friendly location. Given the heritage and history of the USYS National Championships, were are excited to see our players challenge themselves at this renowned Disney sports venue under the Florida sunshine.”

“Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) is proud to once again be the host state for the 2022 US Youth Soccer National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex,” said Joel Dragan, FYSA Executive Director. “This is an incredible location with tremendous opportunities for fun with family and teammates. FYSA is committed to making this a safe and exciting National Championship. The outstanding Florida attractions, accommodations, and (most importantly) world-class soccer facilities at Disney will all be on display for the entire soccer community.”

The USYS National Championships bring another key youth soccer event to the sports complex’s growing soccer portfolio, which will include the new Disney Cup Soccer Series — a collection of three tournaments where teams in various age divisions earn points based on their performance — as well as the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase for girls and boys teams. It’s also the sports complex’s second USYS event, joining the USYS National League P.R.O. season in December that features more than 200 elite boys and girls teams in the 15U-19U age groups.

“Being selected to host the USYS National Championships further underscores the nationwide appeal of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex within the youth soccer community,’’ Disney Sports vice president Faron Kelley said. “We continue to work with industry-leading organizations such as USYS to bring the best youth soccer events to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where young soccer athletes and their families can have a one-of-a-kind soccer experience while also enjoying the Most Magical Place on Earth.”