#SPORTSWATCH

Upcoming events in Greater Raleigh, N.C.:

View our full 2024 calendar, here! 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by GRSA (@raleighncsports)

 

Upcoming travel: 

  • TEAMS Conference & Expo, Anaheim, Calif., Sept. 24-26, 2024  

Recent travel:

  • Connect Sports Marketplace, Milwaukee, Wisc., Aug. 22-25, 2024 

 

WRAL Soccer Park

Venue spotlight: WRAL Soccer Park

WRAL Soccer Park in Raleigh, N.C., continues to shine as a premier venue for sports enthusiasts. Spanning 122 acres, this state-of-the-art facility is home to the North Carolina FC Youth and a hub for various sports, including soccer, roundnet and lacrosse. With 22 fields—eight full-sized turf and 14 grass—WRAL Soccer Park provides the perfect setting for large-scale events. Read more about this facility and its amenities, here.

 

visitraleigh.com Showcase Series

visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series and upcoming soccer events

This fall, the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series returns to WRAL Soccer Park and multiple venues in the region, featuring four major tournaments spread over five weeks. As one of the nation’s premier youth soccer events, the series draws top teams and spectators from across the country. This high-profile tournament not only showcases elite talent but also solidifies Greater Raleigh's standing as a leading hub for youth soccer, while providing a significant economic boost to the area. In addition to the Showcase Series, WRAL Soccer Park and WakeMed Soccer Park will host several other key soccer events:

 

The Soccer Tournament 2024

TST brings international attention to the perfect pitch in Cary  

In June, Cary became the epicenter of the sports world as some of soccer's biggest stars, including Heather O'Reilly, Nani and Sergio Aguero, converged at WakeMed Soccer Park for the second edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST). With an expanded field of 48 men’s teams and a new eight-team women’s tournament, a total of $2 million in prize money was up for grabs during the 7v7 event. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by SOCCER.COM (@soccerdotcom)


All 118 matches were streamed to an international audience on ESPN platforms, and The Pat McAfee Show broadcast live from WakeMed Soccer Park. The resulting social media frenzy generated coverage from major outlets like @sportscenter and @goalusa. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TST (@tst7v7)


TST 2024 culminated with a championship doubleheader on June 10, where the U.S. Women's team and the La Bombonera men's team captured the $1 million prizes. Total attendance was 42,436 fans, up 20% year over year, and the event was projected to generate $15 million in direct economic impact for the area. This exciting event will return to Cary again in 2025. 

 

roundnet

The rise of roundnet 

Roundnet (also known as spike ball) is a booming sport inspired by concepts from volleyball and dodgeball, where two teams of two have three touches to hit a ball off a round, horizontal net. This fast-paced, four-player game has attracted a growing community of players of all ages, drawn by its accessibility and competitive nature. The rise of roundnet reflects a broader trend of non-traditional sports gaining traction in the region, offering new opportunities for community engagement and recreation. Read more, here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by USA Roundnet (@usa_roundnet)

 

TAC

Olympic training at Triangle Aquatic Center

This summer, the Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC) in Cary hosted a series of Olympic training sessions, drawing elite swimmers from across the country. TAC, known for its world-class facilities, provided an ideal environment for these athletes to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The training sessions brought significant attention to the area, highlighting TAC’s role as a hub for competitive swimming. Local spectators had the unique opportunity to watch these top athletes in action, further cementing the Greater Raleigh's reputation as a top sports destination.

 

Lonnie Poole

Let's extend your golf day in Raleigh, N.C.

After a rewarding day on the green, why not extend the fun and explore the Raleigh area's various offerings? Whether you're looking to unwind or keep the adrenaline pumping, Raleigh, N.C., has spectacular options for entertainment. Click here to read about five fantastic ways to extend your golf-day here.

 

See our Reel with highlights from the first half of 2024!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by GRSA (@raleighncsports)

 

Cover photo courtesy of NCFC Youth