NSC Kick-Off Challenge

Join us for an early-season tournament outdoors! All 13-19U games played on artificial turf. 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 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.
• Age groups may be flighted to help parity of competition if a group exceeds eight teams.
• 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.
• All 11U and 12U games will be played at the NSC (National Sports Center).
• 13U-19U games will be played at the NSC or Fernbrook Fields. Teams will play at only one location

Registration Deadline – March 28, 2025

Early Bird Deadline – February 28, 2025

Application in closed for all divisions. Please email Tournament Director to be place on the wait list.

Please click here for the Required Forms Information and Details. All steps must be completed by the required forms deadline.

• Start by adding players to your tournament roster using the link below.
  • NSC Kick-Off Challenge Manager Account Link.
• Required Forms includes completing the NSC Roster, Player Waivers, Submit/Upload Travel Documentation (if applicable), and Submit/Upload Current Player Passes).  

Final Team Check-in – All teams are required to send one (1) team representative to check-in 90 minutes prior to the team’s first game.

• Location: Welcome Center Building (1750 105th Ave NE Blaine, 55449) 
• Time: 90 Min. Prior to the team’s first scheduled game.  
• What is needed? Physical laminated player and coach passes are required at check-in and before each game, along with any outstanding documents needed for the event.
• Pro Tips:
  • Anyone (Coach, Manager, Parent, etc.) can check in for the team at Final Team Check-in. 
  • Arrange player passes in the same order as your roster to ensure you have all passes and for a faster check-in. 

NSC Kickoff Challenge

Click here for the 2024 NSC Kick-Off Challenge Schedule

Scheduling requests are due Friday March 29. Please email the Tournament Director with any questions.

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
• All 11U and 12U games will be played at the NSC (National Sports Center).
• 13U-19U games will be played at the NSC or Fernbrook Fields. Teams will play at only one location

US Club Soccer Teams

• All non-Minnesota teams must provide a copy of their official US Club Soccer roster by the deadline.
• View the US Club Soccer Tournament Hosting Application below.
  • 2022 US Club Approved Tournament
  • 2024 Application to Host Tournament

US Youth Soccer Teams

• Request Official State Roster and Travel Documentation (Not required for Minnesota MYSA teams )
  • Contact your USYS state association for an official state roster and Notification-to-Travel to a USYS sanctioned tournament. Copy of approved travel permit and state roster must be on file before Final Team Check-in.
  • 2024 Application to Host Tournament

United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA)

• Must provide an official state roster from association
• Certificate of Insurance
  • Must be on file before Final Team Check-in.

Canadian Teams

• Request Team Notification-to-Travel and Official Province/Club Roster
  • Contact your province/club for official state roster and Notification-to-Travel to a USYS sanctioned tournament. Copy of approved travel permit and province/club roster must be on file before Final Team Check-in.
  • 2023 Application to Host Tournament provides information necessary to complete your province’s notification-to-travel application.

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.

Please see the age categories for the tournament.

Attending
Check out coaches below that have attended in the past. Current year registrations coming soon.

Coaches from around the region scout individual 15U-19U players through a program designed to display a player’s talents for opportunities to play college soccer.

Questions? Contact Lucas Camargo at 763.717.3231 or email lcamargo@nscsports.org.

Registration
Please click the link below to register if you are a college coach who would like to attend this year’s tournament.

April 22-24, 2022 NSC Kickoff Challenge Click here to register!

Registration List
Check out the links below to see which coaches have previously attended NSC Kick-Off Challenge.

2021
2019
2018
2017

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

Food Vendors at Fernbrook Fields:

• Chick-Fil-A (click here to pre-order food for April 26 and April 27!)
• Maui Wowi (Smoothies and Signature Hawaiian Coffee)
• Nautical Bowls

The National Sports Center has frequent opportunities for competitive vendors to support campus events. Please apply by completing the request form below to be considered for an event. The National Sports Center will contact you upon receipt of your completed document. 

Vendor Request Form

NOTE: Submitting this form does NOT guarantee that you will be selected as a vendor. 

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