Adidas National Cup to serve as Virginia’s Target USA Cup Qualifier starting in 2027

RICHMOND, VA – The Adidas National Cup is entering a new era, creating a direct pathway from Richmond, Virginia, to one of the world’s largest international youth soccer tournaments.

Beginning February 12-14, 2027, the event will be played as the Target USA CUP Qualifier Virginia, powered by The Adidas National Cup, connecting champions from Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond with the internationally recognized Target USA CUP in Blaine, Minnesota.

“The Adidas National Cup was built around bringing clubs together and creating an outstanding competitive experience for players, coaches, and families,” said Brian Kuk, Executive Director, Club Champions League, Inc. & Director, The Adidas National Cup. “This collaboration allows us to preserve that foundation while giving teams something we have never been able to offer before – a direct pathway from Virginia to an international stage. A team can compete in Richmond in February and earn its opportunity to represent its club at the Target USA CUP in July. That is an exciting next chapter for this event.”

The collaboration brings together Club Champions League, Inc. (CCL), a Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, and International Elite Program (IEP) based in Miami, Florida. Together, the organizations bring more than 70 years of combined experience in soccer event operations, tournament management, programming, and hospitality.

A VIRGINIA EVENT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PATHWAY

The 2027 Target USA CUP Qualifier Virginia, powered by The Adidas National Cup, will welcome U9-U19 boys and girls teams from throughout Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.

The tournament remains open to teams regardless of league or governing-body affiliation, continuing the event’s commitment to bringing quality clubs and teams together without unnecessary barriers.

Matches will be played on lighted synthetic turf fields in the Richmond area, including the nationally recognized River City Sportsplex. The event provides a three-match guarantee and age-appropriate scheduling across Presidents Day Weekend, with U16-U19 teams competing Friday through Sunday and U9-U15 teams competing Saturday and Sunday.

In 2027, the competitive opportunity extends beyond Richmond. Champions of each division will receive free player fees to the 2027 Target USA CUP Weeklong event. Finalists will receive guaranteed entry and discounted event fees, providing participating clubs with a tangible pathway to an international tournament experience in Minnesota.

THE ROAD TO TARGET USA CUP STARTS IN VIRGINIA

Target USA CUP annually welcomes more than 1,100 teams and 16,000 players representing
approximately 20 countries and 25 states. Hosted at the National Sports Center, the tournament has grown into a major international youth soccer event built on competition, cultural exchange, and bringing teams together from across the United States and around the world.

The Virginia qualifier brings that opportunity directly to the Mid-Atlantic and gives teams an additional competitive objective: perform in Richmond and earn a pathway to Target USA CUP.

MORE THAN A NAME CHANGE

The evolution into Target USA CUP Qualifier Virginia builds on the history and reputation of The Adidas National Cup rather than replacing it. For clubs, coaches, players and families, the message is simple: the Richmond tournament they know is growing – with a bigger opportunity attached to it.