Feature

World Cup

World Cup VII Date and Location Announced

by IQA Staff | August 23, 2013

The event will be held on April 5-6, 2014 at the brand new North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, scheduled to open in March 2014. The multipurpose complex contains eight regulation soccer fields, each of which is equipped with a PA system, team benches, spectator bleachers, and electronic scoreboard. Though the park will be open for events a full month before the World Cup, the IQA’s tournament will coincide with the official Grand Opening Ceremony of the multi-million dollar complex, which means over a thousand Dixie Youth Baseball players and their families will already be in the park and encouraged by the city to attend World Cup after the ceremony is over.

The decision to host the World Cup in North Myrtle Beach was made by the IQA management team after CEO Alex Benepe, COO Alicia Radford, and Tournament Director Sarah Woolsey conducted site visits earlier this week at both North Myrtle Beach and Kissimmee, FL, which hosted last year’s World Cup.

North Myrtle Beach put in a fantastic bid, which includes free use of their facilities and other amenities as well as robust financial support. Together with a new IQA policy called Stay & Play, the IQA will be able to give back to teams with lower per-player registration costs, free parking, and an unrestricted ability to bring food and drinks into the complex.

Stay and Play requires teams to stay in one of several IQA-affiliated hotels with the effect of allowing the league to offer lower housing costs and other benefits (Learn more about this policy). All tournament hotels are a stone’s throw from the beach, within 15 minutes of the complex, and 25 minutes of the airport. Each hotel room is a suite with a full kitchen, and packages will be under $100 per person for two nights, with transportation available as an additional option.

“One of our main event goals is to produce a world-class competition where the needs of all athletes are highly prioritized,” said Sarah Woolsey, World Cup Tournament Director. “We are reducing costs for teams as much as we can while continuing to increase the quality of service we’re providing. We are working with all aspects of the World Cup to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for teams.”

By bringing the event to a new city, its fourth, the IQA will continue to expose the highly competitive tournament to new audiences. The city is excited to host the IQA as well. “Myself, my staff, and our entire city will do everything we can to make sure this is the best World Cup yet and that your players and spectators have a great experience,” said Matt Gibbons, Superintendent of Sports Tourism. The IQA is looking forward to partnering with the city throughout the year on outreach events to get the community engaged and excited for the Cup.

With a great World Cup venue and a series of qualifying regional tournaments set to get underway this fall, it’s shaping up to be a great season. Join the IQA this year as the competition to reach the Cup unfolds, and come to North Myrtle Beach on April 5th and 6th to see the World Champions crowned.