Historic ACC and NCAA Championships Reinforce Cary’s Status as a Premier Soccer Destination

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 10, 2026) – The road to college soccer’s biggest stage stops through Cary once again this fall as the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) prepares to welcome some of the nation’s top collegiate programs for the 2026 ACC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships in November and the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Soccer College Cups in December. The upcoming championships will put the region in the national spotlight, culminating in a historic first: women’s and men’s championships in both tournaments will be held over the same weekend at the same location, WakeMed Soccer Park, for the first time.

For more than two decades, Cary has built a national reputation as one of the premier destinations for soccer in the United States. Hosting both championships further solidifies the region's standing as a trusted host for major collegiate, professional and international soccer events.

The ACC Men's and Women's Soccer Championships will be hosted by the Town of Cary, with assistance from partners NCFC Youth and GRSA. The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's College Cups will be officially hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with the Town of Cary serving as a primary host and NCFC Youth and the GRSA serving as partners.

"Over the last 25 years, Cary has clearly established itself as the capital of collegiate soccer in the United States, and that title will never be more evident than this fall," said Scott Dupree, executive director of GRSA. "For the first time, the town will host the ACC Men's and Women's championships on the same weekend in November, and then the NCAA Men's and Women's College Cups on the same weekend in December. It vividly shows how the ACC and the NCAA trust the Town of Cary and its partners to host these premier national events and to roll out the red carpet for all visiting schools, student-athletes, fans, media and officials."

Championship action begins in November with the ACC Men's and Women's Soccer Championships returning to First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, one of the nation’s premier soccer venues. The 10,000-seat stadium has hosted the ACC Men’s and Women’s championships for eight consecutive seasons. Home of the NC Courage, the stadium has become synonymous with championship soccer and continues to strengthen Cary's reputation as a destination for both men's and women's sports.

The ACC Women's semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 12, followed by the championship match on Nov. 15. The ACC Men's semifinals will also be played Nov. 12, with the championship match slated for Nov. 15. The momentum continues in December when Cary hosts an NCAA soccer first. The Division I Women's College Cup will be on Dec. 10 and 13, while the Men's College Cup will take place Dec. 11 and 14.

Adding to the championship atmosphere, NCFC Youth's visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series will be held concurrently across Greater Raleigh, attracting thousands of youth soccer athletes and their families from around the country. As one of the nation's premier college showcase events, the tournament provides a unique opportunity for participants and visitors to attend ACC Championship and NCAA College Cup matches while further amplifying the region's visibility as one of the country's leading soccer destinations.

The unique schedule creates a championship experience unlike any in college soccer history, giving fans the opportunity to attend both national championships during a single visit while showcasing the region’s ability to host multiple elite sporting events.

The championships are expected to generate significant economic impact for Wake County while bringing national exposure to the destination. Beyond the matches themselves, visiting teams and fans will experience the region's award-winning hospitality, vibrant dining scene and growing reputation as one of the country's premier sports tourism destinations.

Tickets for the ACC Men's and Women's Soccer Championships are available through the Atlantic Coast Conference. Tickets for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Soccer College Cup are available through Ticketmaster.
 

About the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA):
A division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) – the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County to generate and/or retain sports-related businesses (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) for economic development. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 19.1 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.43 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $342 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $743 in taxes annually. raleighsports.org

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Rylee Govoreau
Senior Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.830.1289
rgovoreau@visitraleigh.com

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