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NSC Kick-Off Challenge

April 28-30, 2023

Join us for an early-season tournament outdoors! All 13-19U games played on artificial turf.

Tournament Contacts

Eric Bocan

Tournament Director

Phone: 763-785-5603

Ellen Jones

Registrar

Phone: 763.785.5634

Tournament Details

Event is geared towards more competitive teams looking to get in some full-Length games before the season starts. Events are sanctioned by partners Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (USYS) and Twin Cities Rush Soccer Club (US Club Soccer).

Tournament Details

  • Tournament ranking committee will place teams into a flight that best fits the team's competitive ability
  • Tournament reserves the right to combine age groups, depending on the total number of teams in identified age divisions
  • Teams will be notified prior to the tournament if age groups are to be combined
  • All games will be played on artificial turf for 13U-19U.
    • Games played at National Sports Center, Spring Lake Park High School and Centennial High School.
  • Please Note:
    • All metro area teams should be prepared to play games starting Friday at 3 p.m.
    • All non-metro teams should be prepared to play games starting Saturday at 8 a.m.
  • Age groups may be flighted to help parity of competition if a group exceeds eight teams.

Tournament Fees

11U-12U (9v9): $635

12U (11v11): $635

13U-19U: $690

Limited openings remain. If you do not see your age group on the application, please click here for the waitlist. 

Multiple team discount available, please email Clinton for more details.

 

Refund Policy

  • Refunds will not be issued. Teams dropping from the tournament prior to March 31 will receive a voucher in the amount of the team fee paid. The voucher is valid within one year of the event and can be used for the following NSC tournaments Using the voucher is based on availability and does not guarantee acceptance into the event.
  • NSC College Showcase
  • NSC Kickoff Challenge
  • NSC Spring Cup
  • NSC Cup-Memorial Day
  • NSC Fall Cup
  • NSC All American

Teams dropping from the tournament on or after March 31 will not receive a voucher

Weather Cancellation Policy. If cancellation of the entire tournament occurs due to spring weather conditions, each team will receive a refund in the amount of the tournament fees or a voucher to be used at future NSC 2023 and 2024 events. This does not apply to weather delays, shortened, rescheduled games and/or cancellation of tournament games after the event has begun.

Event Cancellation Policy. The following policy will be enacted IF an event hosted by the National Sports Center MUST be canceled by the directives of the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Health. Please know that our top priority on making decisions moving forward will be the safety and health of our players, coaches, referees, employees, and fans.
Team will receive a refund for your event entry. Team registration refunds will be processed at 100% of the registration total.
Refunds will be a credit back to original source of payment. *Please note that if a team elects to drop prior to the event cancellation, the above refund policy will be in effect. This includes teams making their own decision to withdraw prior to the potential cancellation. If a customer (club, team, individual) is required to quarantine due to illness or exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and are unable to participate for this reason, a refund will not be issued unless done within the parameters of the existing policy.

 

Application Deadline

  • March 31, 2023 or when divisions fill. 
    • Limited openings remain. If you do not see your age group on the list, please click here for the waitlist. 

Team Eligibility

Required Forms

To access your Team Manager account or complete rosters and waivers:

Visit the Required Forms page - Click Here

11U-19U Flight Features

  • 13U-19U games played on the artificial fields of the world's largest soccer complex
  • World Cup groups, top teams advance to playoff round
  • Three FIFA regulation-length games guarantee
  • Three-person referee system (13U-19U)
  • 11U will play 9v9 format
  • 12U age divisions may play 9v9 or 11v11 format
  • Please Note:
    • All metro area teams should be prepared to play games starting Friday at 3 p.m.
    • All non-metro teams should be prepared to play games starting Saturday at 8 a.m.

Awards

Each player who is on the first or second place team will receive a medal and the coach will receive a trophy.

Tournament Rules

The rules for the NSC Kick Off Challenge  will be presented in PDF format for easy download and printing.

  • 2023 NSC Kick Off Challenge Tournament Rules 
  • In the 9U-11U age groups, when a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. Players should not be given a red card by heading the ball off of the goal line, this should be awarded with an indirect free kick as stated above.
  • Glasses: It is recommend for those who wear glasses to wear a strap or sports-type glasses to participate in games. The referee has the authority to determine if the glasses can be worn.
  • Casts: It is recommended for those who have a hard or soft cast to wrap it with bubble wrap and an ace bandage. Prior to the game check with the referee. The referee has the authority to determine if they can play with the cast.

Tournament Sitemap

Vendor Information

The National Sports Center has frequent opportunities for competitive vendors to support campus events. Below you will find information regarding how to get started in applying to be a vendor.

Instructions

A completed vendor request form is required for your company to be entered in the National Sports Center’s Vendor Directory. Please provide all data applicable to your company. You may submit this form electronically or print and fax to 763.785.3660.

NOTE: Submitting this form does NOT guarantee that you will be selected as a vendor. The National Sports Center will contact you upon receipt of your completed document.

The National Sports Center thanks you for your interest in doing business with us.

COVID-19 Requirements

The National Sports Center will be following state and CDC guidance. 

All customers are asked to review the National Sports Center's COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prior to arriving on the NSC Campus. 

Our facilities National Sports Center COVID-19 Preparedness Plan click here!

Thank you,

National Sports Center Headquarters

NSC Fund for Play

The NSC Fund For Play is the contribution and donation arm of the National Sports Center Foundation. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesota residents by creating programs and initiatives that support a diverse and engaged community. If you would like to make a donation to improve the health, well-being, and outlook of participants through access to sports and healthy, safe environments, please click HERE.

Thank you for considering!