Premier spring soccer tournament highlights top youth competition and drives $5.44 million economic impact
OVERLAND PARK and OLATHE, Kan. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Heartland Soccer Association, the largest youth soccer league and tournament host in the United States, kicks off its spring tournament season this weekend, Feb. 27-March 1, with the annual Border Battle Tournament, sponsored by Capelli Sport. A total of 210 teams from nine states will take the fields at both Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex for one of the Midwest’s premier early-season events.
“This tournament is a highlight of the spring soccer season,” said Shane Hackett, executive director of Heartland Soccer Association. “The Border Battle brings together some of the region’s best youth soccer teams. It’s incredible to watch players push themselves, grow their skills, and compete at a high level while enjoying a first-class tournament experience.”
All matches at the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex will be live streamed through VidSport, home to the world’s largest fixed AI camera network at a soccer-specific facility. Fans can watch games live or on demand from any device and access player highlights for recruitment and game review.
The tournament is projected to generate an estimated $5.44 million in economic impact for the Kansas City metropolitan area, with both visiting and local teams contributing to hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses throughout the weekend.
Media coverage is encouraged throughout the weekend. Matches begin Friday at 5:30 p.m. and continue through Sunday evening.
For more information about the Heartland Soccer Tournament Series, visit www.heartlandsoccer.net.
About Heartland Soccer Association
Heartland Soccer is the largest youth soccer league in the country with more than 1,350 league teams per season, 30,000 league youth players, 2,700 tournament teams each year, 44,000 tournament players each year, 4,000 coaches and over 3,000 active referees. Heartland Soccer Association was formed in 1977 and has grown from an initial 600 players to serving teams from 16 states and internationally with league and tournaments. For more information, visit http://www.heartlandsoccer.net/.
Heartland Soccer has several opportunities for league and tournament sponsorship. Heartland partners with like-minded businesses who understand that investing in young people today creates a better community for all in the future. Partners are important team members in creating an increasingly growing soccer family in our community. Sponsorship provides businesses with increased brand visibility while making a direct impact on developing Kansas City’s youth through soccer. For more information on sponsorship, please contact Bridgette Samuelson, Director of Partnership Development and Operations at bridgette@heartlandsoccer.net.
About VidSport
VidSport creates best of class streaming game coverage. VidSport works to connect families and help archive games, sports and memories. Equipped with state-of-the-art cameras integrated with artificial intelligence technology, soccer enthusiasts can now enjoy the excitement of matches from the convenience of their own devices. Our mission is to expand sports coverage so families and fans will never miss a game. For more information, please visit https://vidsport.tv
