Soccer & Lacrosse Facility Guide

Where2Play

In 1994, the FIFA World Cup helped change the trajectory of soccer in the United States. Participation grew, professional leagues followed and communities began investing in the fields, facilities and organizations needed to support the sport’s rapid expansion.

As the 2026 edition wraps up, the conversation feels different. Soccer no longer needs to prove it belongs—it didn’t even before the tournament took place. Major League Soccer has grown to 30 franchises. Professional and pre-professional leagues span the country. Youth participation remains strong, and nearly every region has invested in the infrastructure required to host training, league and tournament play.

The question now is where the next phase of growth comes from.

Interestingly for the U.S., that question extends beyond soccer. Lacrosse will return to the Olympic stage at LA28 through the debut of Sixes, a faster-paced format designed to showcase the sport to a global audience. Rugby has followed a similar path with Sevens, and the sport’s next major opportunity is already on the horizon as the U.S. prepares to host the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup in and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. If 1994 demonstrated what a global event can do for soccer in America, the coming decade will offer a chance to see what those same forces can mean for lacrosse and rugby.

For communities investing in sports tourism, their fields that host soccer tournaments today may welcome more lacrosse championships tomorrow and rugby competitions the following weekend. Across the country, versatile multipurpose complexes have become some of the most valuable assets in the event landscape, capable of attracting visitors, generating economic impact and adapting to the evolving needs of multiple sports.

This edition of Where2Play highlights the destinations and facilities positioned for that future. Discover the venues built to support a growing range of field sports, along with the resources needed to identify the right fit for your next event.

The spotlight may move from one sport to another, but the fields remain at the center of it all.