Rock Hill, Charlotte to split hotel duty for U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships

Though the U.S. Youth Soccer national championships will take place at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C., the teams playing in it will stay north of the border in Charlotte, about 25 miles up I-77.

That’s because Rock Hill does not have enough full service hotels, according to The Herald newspaper, to accommodate the more-than-1,500 players and coaches expected to attend the event this July.

Also, because Rock Hill doesn’t have enough banquet space to accommodate that many people, the article notes that the opening banquet will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Still, for Rock Hill, this is their ‘Super Bowl,’ Auvis Cole, the sports marketing manager for York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, told The Herald.

Round robin games are slated for July 25-27, with the finals taking place July 28-29.

The article cites the overall economic impact of the tournament at $3 million to $4 million, though how much of that will go to Rock Hill and Charlotte is uncertain. Parents, as well as association staff, referees and sponsors are expected to mitigate the impact of the teams staying in Charlotte by using Rock Hill-area hotels.