Dayton World Soccer returns Saturday, Sept. 17, Free spectator admission; parade of nations; food and fun

Release Date: Monday, September 12, 2016
Contact: Lamonte Hall, Recreation and Youth Services, 937-333-3393

The fifth annual Dayton World Soccer Games will bring more than 20 youth and adult teams to the Action Sports Center (1103 Gateway Dr.) on Saturday, Sept. 17, for a day-long tournament celebrating Dayton’s diversity.

A parade of nations starts the day at 8:30 a.m. Youth matches begin at 9:30 a.m., and the adult championship game starts at approximately 4:00 p.m. (championship game time subject to change).

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.

Last year, 25 teams participated in the day-long event, including teams representing nearly 20 European, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Asian nations/communities and several “USA” teams. By the tournament’s end, Africa United and the diverse International team emerged as winners. Everyone, though, went home with a stronger sense of Dayton’s diversity and unity.

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, NAACP, DASA Youth Soccer and Kettering Sports Medicine.