MLS: St. Louis CITY SC Unveils "Summer of Soccer" to Celebrate FIFA World Cup 2026™

Staff Writer
6 hours ago
3 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — As North America prepares to host the largest sporting event on the planet, St. Louis CITY SC has announced the launch of "Summer of Soccer Presented by Purina." This region-wide initiative is designed to transform St. Louis into a high-energy soccer hub, featuring daily community events, youth tournaments, and massive watch parties from June 11 through July 19, 2026.

"We’ve been building towards this moment for years," said Diego Gigliani, President & GM at St. Louis CITY SC. "This summer will mark a pivotal moment for the continued growth of the world's favorite sport in the United States. Our Summer of Soccer initiatives will put CITY at the center of the game across our region."

Soccer Celebrations at Energizer Park

The club’s stadium, Energizer Park, will serve as the primary destination for fans to experience the tournament. The festivities kick off on Friday, June 12, as the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) makes its debut against Paraguay.

Lou Fusz Plaza: On June 12, the plaza will host a free, all-ages festival featuring live music, soccer activities, and a live broadcast of the USA vs. Paraguay match (8:00 p.m. CT) on the big screen.
ULTRA Club Viewings: Subsequent U.S. group-stage matches against Australia (June 19) and Turkey (June 25) will be hosted inside the stadium’s ULTRA Club, offering fans a premium viewing experience overlooking the pitch.
The Final: The tournament will culminate in a massive celebration at the stadium for the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19.

"40 Days of Soccer" Community Initiative

In a push to make the sport accessible to everyone, CITY SC is leading 40 Days of Soccer. The club will host soccer-themed activities every single day of the tournament across 40 regional locations, including North City, Downtown, The Hill, and Forest Park.

Anchored by the CITY Futures program, these daily activations will include:

Grand openings of new mini-pitches.
"Pick Up CITY" events and street soccer games.
Partner activations for both kids and adults.

Youth Tournament: The Path to the Pro Pitch

Aspiring young athletes will have the chance to play on the biggest stage in the city. Partnering with the Missouri Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and Vetta Sports, CITY SC will host a 5v5 Youth Soccer Tournament from June 19–21 for boys and girls (U8–U12). The championship matches will be played directly on the pitch at Energizer Park.

Broadcast and Hospitality

Through an expanded partnership with KTVI Fox 2 and WXSL Telemundo St. Louis, fans will receive in-depth tournament analysis featuring CITY SC special guests.

For those looking for a premium experience, the club is offering Official FIFA Hospitality Packages, which include premium seating and exclusive entertainment. Additionally, corporate hospitality packages are available at Energizer Park for businesses looking to host World Cup viewing retreats or happy hours.

Get Involved

Fans are encouraged to visit the newly launched www.SummerofSoccerSTL.com to view a full calendar of events and sign up for updates.

"This summer will be exhilarating," added Andrea Faccio, President and Chief Growth Officer at Purina. "We’re elated to be part of the community-building and celebrations, especially in our hometown of St. Louis with its rich soccer history."