Dayton World Soccer returns Saturday, Sept. 15: Tournament showcases Dayton’s cultural diversity

Release Date: Thursday, August 30, 2017. The seventh annual Dayton World Soccer Games will bring up to 20 teams to the Action Sports Center (1103 Gateway Dr.) on Saturday, Sept. 15, for a day-long tournament celebrating Dayton’s diversity. Team registration continues through Sept. 7, with teams representing European, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, Latin American and North American nations/communities.

Last year, Team Saudi Arabia took the adult championship, Team South Korea won the teen championship, and Team Mexico earned the youth championship. A parade of nations starts the day at 8:30 a.m; matches begin at 9:30 a.m. Spectators are welcome; admission and parking are free (bring sports seating for your own use). Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Since 2012, the Dayton World Soccer Games tournament has united Dayton’s immigrant and native-born communities in the spirit of inclusiveness, good sportsmanship and enjoyment of the world’s most popular sport. The tournament sprang from Welcome Dayton, Dayton’s immigrant friendly city initiative.

For more information, go to welcomedayton.org/soccer or call 937-333-8400. The Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services produces the tournament. Sponsors include Dayton International Airport, the Dayton Department of Water, the University of Dayton and the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority.