Offering State-of-the-Art Facilities and Leagues for Youth to Adults, this is the List of the Top Ten
The popularity of soccer in the United States continues to grow with every year. Along with soccer-specific stadiums that host Major League Soccer matches, such as those found in Portland, Kansas City and Columbus, soccer training complexes are spread throughout the country. These venues contain multiple playing surfaces that are ideal for multi-team tournaments. The facility you choose will be at least partly determined by the number of teams taking part in the competition.
Princeton Soccer Academy— Princeton, New Jersey
Known as a New Jersey “soccer haven,” and for good reason, the Princeton Soccer Academy is dedicated to providing player development for children at all levels of the game. It provides kids all over the state opportunities for playing and perfecting soccer skills with the PSA consisting of three regions, each with three different soccer facilities and fields.
The PSA also offers camps, clinics, winter and summer series, a Junior Academy and a Development Center that varies by region. The Academy aims to develop players from three years old with the Development Center to adults 23 and over with premier soccer leagues, WPSL and NPSL teams.
California Soccer Park — Redding, California
This $10 million facility sits on 22 acres at the top of the Sacramento Valley and offers just about anything one hosting a soccer event could want. It consists of four lighted, synthetic turf fields, a full-service snack bar and a 2,000 square-foot covered seating space with ceiling fans and misters to keep spectators cool on hot days.
The seating area also gives fans views of all the fields and a nearby play structure for kids, featuring a climbing wall, slides and play decks. The California Soccer Park hosts camps, tournaments and even an adult soccer league that offers student discounts for high school or college students.
Scheels USA Youth Soccer Complex — Appleton, Wisconsin
The Scheels USA Youth Soccer Complex in Appleton is one of the finest when it comes to youth soccer facilities. It is operated by the non-profit, United Sports Association for Youth, Inc. The complex offers 15 full-sized soccer fields for your match days and also includes two baseball diamonds and two Little League diamonds.
Three areas of parking make for short walks to each of the fields, and there is a concession stand in the center of the complex grounds. The turf field designed for baseball and softball is multifunctional with the transitional mounds, allowing the field to also be used for soccer. It is available to rent by schools, teams and groups.
Kino Sports Complex — Tucson, Arizona
Kino Sports Complex of Tucson is the largest outdoor venue in Pima County, sitting on more than 300 acres and featuring a professional level soccer stadium, five clubhouses and 22 more soccer fields. North Stadium is home to MLS players during pre-season and boasts a regulation sized field, fully lit arena, press box and seats up to 3,200 people.
The North Grandstand Field is a lighted soccer field used for large-scale sporting events, can seat up to 1,000 people, and shares the North Stadium snack bar, 10,000 square-foot pavilion, and two-story clubhouse with a weight room, training room, conference room and more. The 22 additional multi-sport fields are situated throughout the complex, with 10 located at the North Complex and 12 at the South Complex. These fields include covered bleachers and can be used for rugby, football and even boxing.
The soccer fields at Kino Sports Complex.
Grande Sports World — Casa Grande, Arizona
Grande Sports World lives up to its name by offering world class facilities and coaches to athletes—making it truly grande and worth visiting. The Arizona-based facility has been awarded Best Training Facility by U.S. Soccer three years in a row; and in partnership with F.C. Barcelona, developed the Barca Residency Academy for elite soccer training year-round.
Grande Sports World boasts eight soccer fields with six lighted, movable goals, driving ranges, a 58,000 square-foot performance center with 4 locker rooms, strength and conditioning equipment, recovery and agility training areas, 16 classrooms, and a players’ lounge with big screen TVs, ping pong, foosball and video games. All elements of the facility are professional grade and state-of-the-art.
Erie Sports Center — Erie, Pennsylvania
Formerly Family First Sports Park and ErieBank Sports Park, this facility is now known as Erie Sports Center after undergoing renovations and expansions. Now featuring a sports dome, fun park and sports fields, Erie Sports Center has it all. The facility is still in the process of making renovations as it works in phases, but the facility currently encompasses a 61,000 square foot dome with a full-size FIFA certified Astro turf soccer field for indoor play, two baseball and softball fields, three lacrosse and flag football fields, restrooms, a lobby, and a cafe and restaurant.
Five 86” TVs can be seen in the facility, which also has a coaches room, conference room and sports store. The sports fields are home to the Erie Commodores FC and hosts various lacrosse and soccer tournaments. The Sports Center hosts clinics, team camps, has club soccer, and indoor soccer leagues for youth, college and adults.
ESC 2021 camp inside the Sports Dome.
Overland Park Soccer Complex—Overland Park, Kansas
Scheels Overland Park covers 96 acres, accommodating lacrosse, ultimate events and of course soccer. The complex has it all and has helped Overland Park even be named a top soccer city by livability. It features 12 lighted fields made of synthetic turf with a cooling system, as well as fans next to the team benches.
The layout is truly state-of-the-art, including 1,100 square feet of meeting space, a fieldhouse, three concessions, playgrounds, electronic video boards, basketball and tennis courts and a skate park. Nearly three dozen hotels and just about every restaurant one could ask for are located within minutes of the complex.
Meadows Soccer Complex—Tallahassee, Florida
Meadows Soccer Complex is the one and only soccer complex located in Tallahassee, Florida, and serves as the home of the year-round Warner Soccer player development company. Among the 10 soccer fields are nine natural grass and one turf, with five lighted, all dedicated for soccer use only, making it an ideal facility for players. Utilized by multiple groups for tournaments and leagues, such as the adult soccer league, Tallahassee Soccer Association, the complex also provides restrooms, changing areas and even outdoor showers.
The fields are available for individual or small group use by reservation only, so call ahead for reservation information or to learn about the various soccer leagues and groups available to take part in at Meadows Soccer Complex.
Mike Rose Soccer Complex—Memphis, Tennessee
Ideal for a massive tournament, the Mike Rose Soccer Complex holds 16 FIFA dimension lighted fields, all of which contain a draining system to prevent any amount of rain from ruining games. These natural grass fields are maintained by the impressive irrigation system, which make for optimal playing grounds. The complex also features a 2,500+ seat stadium, shaded pavilions, showers and locker rooms, a food court and corporate skybox.
The picnic area and three-acre lake can serve as entertainment when away from the pitch. The staff will even help traveling teams acquire discounts at local hotels and restaurants.
National Sports Center—Blaine, Minnesota
Touted as the “World’s Largest Amateur Sports and Meeting Facility,” the National Sports Center (NSC) has a whopping 52 regulation soccer fields. It is that reason that Guinness recognized the NSC as the largest soccer complex in the world. A residence hall, golf course and 8,500-seat stadium are just three parts of the massive center.
The National Sports Center offers leagues and tournaments for players of all levels, as well as development programs for improving soccer skills all year long. The NSC also serves as the training grounds for professional soccer team, the Minnesota United FC.
National Sports Center playing fields.
