Record 752-team field marks nearly 15% year-over-year growth as the nation’s largest all-girls soccer tournament returns to Northern Virginia.
WASHINGTON DC, DC, UNITED STATES, October 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Nation’s largest all-girls soccer tournament grows nearly 15 percent year over year, bringing thousands of players and families to Northern Virginia
Women’s soccer growth isn’t only happening in packed professional stadiums and record television audiences. It’s happening on youth soccer fields across the country.
This October, a record 752 teams will take the field for the 2026 WAGS Rael Vodicka Memorial Tournament, the nation’s largest all-girls soccer tournament — up nearly 15 percent from the 654 teams that competed in 2025.
Held October 10–12, the tournament will span 96 fields across 23 parks throughout Northern Virginia, with games in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
The milestone comes more than 50 years after the first WAGS Tournament was held in 1975 — and at a moment of extraordinary visibility and momentum for the women’s game.
On the same Saturday that hundreds of girls’ teams take the field at WAGS, the U.S. Women’s National Team will face Spain at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Together, the two events offer a striking picture of women’s soccer in 2026 — from young girls competing on fields throughout Northern Virginia to some of the best players in the world taking the field just miles away.
“We hear so much about the incredible momentum behind women’s soccer right now, and what we’re seeing at WAGS shows that growth is happening at every level of the game,” said Lula Bauer, Chairwoman of WAGS. “Growing from 654 teams last year to a record 752 teams this year is incredibly exciting. More importantly, it means thousands of girls coming together to compete, connect and see the possibilities that exist for them in this game.”
More Than a Tournament
For WAGS, the weekend has always been about more than competition.
Founded more than 50 years ago to expand opportunities for women and girls in soccer, WAGS continues to use its signature tournament to create pathways throughout the game — not only for players, but for coaches, referees and future leaders.
This year, WAGS is expanding those opportunities in a number of ways. All U15–U19 games will be filmed and made available to college coaches at no cost, helping prospective student-athletes connect with programs even while many college coaches are in the midst of their own seasons.
The tournament will also feature WAGS’ Referee Mentor Program, giving referees the opportunity to receive feedback and mentorship throughout the weekend from some of the most accomplished women in the game. Mentors include four-time FIFA Women’s World Cup referee and 2026 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Kari Seitz, along with Tori Penso, who made history this year as the first American woman selected as a lead referee for a men’s FIFA World Cup.
An amputee soccer showcase in partnership with the USA Amputee Football Federation will further expand who gets to experience the game — part of WAGS’ ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for all women and girls in soccer.
“The growth we’re seeing this year is extraordinary, but what’s equally important is what happens once those teams arrive,” said Steve Lovgren, WAGS Tournament Director. “We want WAGS to be an exceptional competitive experience, but we also want players, coaches and referees to leave the weekend with opportunities and experiences that help them take their next step in the game.”
A Legacy That Continues to Grow
The WAGS Tournament has been bringing girls together through soccer since 1975.
The tournament honors WAGS co-founder Rael Vodicka, whose vision for creating greater competitive opportunities for girls helped launch the event more than five decades ago.
What began as an effort to give girls greater opportunities in the sport has grown into a tournament bringing together a record 752 teams for three days of competition, connection and opportunity.
And as the women’s game reaches new heights, WAGS continues to invest in the players, referees, coaches and leaders who will shape what comes next.
Because creating opportunities for women and girls in soccer doesn’t stop at the tournament field.
About WAGS
Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) is dedicated to creating opportunities for women and girls throughout soccer. For more than 50 years, WAGS has supported players, coaches, referees and leaders through programming, grants, scholarships and the annual Rael Vodicka Memorial Tournament.
Stefanie Caliri
Girls Soccer Network
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