Columbia, S.C. - (October 2, 2014) Columbia Regional Sports Council is proud to assist the South Carolina United FC (SCUFC) with the 16th Annual Carolina Cup youth soccer tournament on October 4-5, 2014. Several venues throughout Richland County will accommodate this tournament.

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There will be 225 youth soccer teams participating from four states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, with 7,200 projected attendees and 43,000 anticipated meals.

"This event is unique because it truly benefits the entire Columbia region," said Ron Tryon, CEO of SCUFC. "With the Gamecock football team on the road against Kentucky, this year's Cup should prove to be even more beneficial for our local hotel and restaurant industries."

Spread across the Southeast, Northeast and Northwest areas of Richland County, the playing venues include Ballentine Park Complex, BB&T Soccer Complex, Crooked Creek, Garner's Ferry Soccer Complex, Spring Valley Presbyterian Church Fields, Northwest YMCA and Polo Road Soccer Complex.

Hotels across the Columbia region contracted to provide accommodations. Local restaurants should also prepare for swarms of hungry soccer players. "Soccer has such a positive impact on the Columbia region not only by keeping both kids and adults moving and healthy, but also by hosting tournaments in our community that generate much needed revenue for our hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail establishments," said Scott Powers, executive director of the Columbia Regional Sports Council.

The Carolina Cup has a direct economic impact of $612,000 to the Columbia region. SCUFC's main events, Carolina Cup and St. Patrick's Day Cup, generate over $1.3 million every year. A recent study performed by Miley & Associates has determined SCUFC's total annual economic impact on the Columbia region is $7.6 million because of all of the youth soccer tournaments, statewide and regional matches and other soccer events it hosts in the Midlands.


About Columbia Regional Sports Council
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, S.C. as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales, and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit columbiasportscouncil.com.

About South Carolina United FC
South Carolina United FC is affiliated with the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association and offers soccer programs for boys and girls from 3-19 years of age. Through the efforts and contributions of our many parents and sponsors it is our goal to provide the best soccer experience possible for everyone involved.

 

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