CLTFC becomes first Major League Soccer franchise to join the 32-team field for the tournament held in Cary, NC from June 1 -4
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Wednesday, March 8, 2023) – Charlotte FC and The Soccer Tournament today announced the Club will field a team in the inaugural, $1 million winner-take-all soccer tournament later this year.
TST is a 7v7 tournament at WakeMed Stadium in Cary, NC from June 1-4, and CLTFC is the first Major League Soccer club to enter the competition. Tickets will go on sale to members of TST's waitlist prior to being made available to the general public, and TST will unveil its group stage draw on May 4.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the inaugural TST tournament which showcases our Club in an innovative new environment. TST is a great addition for soccer in the Carolinas and we’re excited to be involved in another opportunity to showcase the growth of the game in our region, “said CLTFC President Joe LaBue. “We will be sharing more about our roster in the coming months, but we couldn’t be happier to participate in this one-of-a-kind tournament later this year.”
If Charlotte FC’s team is to take home the title, all tournament winnings will be donated to the AW5 Family Fund.
The Club is the 11thpublicly announced team in TST’s field, joining Welsh club Wrexham AFC owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., former U.S. Men’s National Team star Clint Dempsey’s Team Dempsey, British football and esports club Hashtag United, historic Liga MX side Club Necaxa, and US Women, a group of former United States Women’s National Team players organized by Heather O’Reilly, among others.
"We are excited to welcome Charlotte FC to the field," said TST founder and CEO Jon Mugar. "MLS representation is important to us. North Carolina fans have been extraordinary in their support of Charlotte FC and we know they will show out for the team's 7-a-side team in Cary."
Featuring an unprecedented, million dollar, winner-take-all prize, TST has become the defining world championship for 7v7 soccer, attracting the most competitive soccer players in the world to an annual, highly intense format that follows the World Cup structure, pinning 32 teams against each other in group play before moving into the knockout stages. All but one slot in the tournament is filled. The final slot will be auctioned off in March.
Those interested in learning more about TST and joining the ticket waitlist can visit TheTournament.com/TST/ticket-waitlist, or follow The Soccer Tournament on Twitter and Instagram at @TST7v7.
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ABOUT CHARLOTTE FC
Charlotte Football Club is the Major League Soccer Club in the Carolinas. The Club’s mission is to be a unifying force that is bigger than one city and encourage a sense of belonging through a progressive, collective, and ambitious approach that guides efforts on and off the pitch. CLTFC is committed to driving growth through the sport and community outreach. Charlotte FC is owned by David Tepper and is a part of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which also includes Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers. For more information, visit CharlotteFootballClub.com.
ABOUT TBT ENTERPRISES
Founded in 2014, TBT Enterprises specializes in hosting high-stakes, open-application sporting events distributed across the world. TBT Enterprises' first property, The Basketball Tournament (TBT), has crowned nine champions, awarded more than $12 million in prizes, and ushered in innovations such as the Elam Ending® and its signature postgame bracket celebration, since adopted by the NBA and NCAA respectively. Launching June 2023, The Soccer Tournament (TST) will mark TBT Enterprises' expansion into sports beyond basketball. For more information on TBT Enterprises and its various properties, visit TheTournament.com.
ABOUT THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT (TST)
Launching in June 2023, The Soccer Tournament (TST) is the newest creation from TBT Enterprises. TST is an open-application, million dollar, winner-take-all competition. Teams will face off in a 32-team, World Cup model. It will feature a 7v7 format and host teams from all across the world. For more information on TST and how to enter a team, visit TheTournament.com.
