The event has brought 25,000-plus athletes and nearly $28 million of economic activity to Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 30, 2015) – Over 3,000 young athletes from across the globe will travel to Northeast Ohio this week for the 10th Anniversary of the Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. With a focus on internationalism and extra-curricular event enhancements, the Continental Cup has cemented itself as an incredibly unique event in the youth sports tournament landscape. The event will infuse $3.6 million of economic activity into the regional economy. In its 10-year history, over 25,000 athletes from 37 countries have competed in the Continental Cup and the event has infused close to $28 million into the Northeast Ohio Economy.
From its founding as a 30-team soccer tournament in 2006, the Continental Cup has grown into one of the largest annual youth multi-sport festivals in the world. The event added a baseball tournament in 2009 and basketball was introduced in 2010. In 2015, athletes will again compete in three international tournaments: the adidas Continental Cup Soccer Tournament, the Cleveland Indians Continental Cup Baseball Tournament and the Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup Basketball Tournament.
Athletes from several states and Canada will be joined by teams from Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia, Nepal, Mongolia, Greece, Bermuda, Brazil and China at this year’s festival.
“The Continental Cup has experienced tremendous growth in its 10-year history,” said David Gilbert, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “The annual displays of internationalism by youngsters from different parts of the world make this event extremely special. That cross-cultural exchange and the athlete activities provided outside of competition continue to make the Continental Cup a unique youth sports event. This foundation has allowed the event to drive an estimated $28 million of economic activity in its history.”
Athletes at this year’s event will experience the thrill of representing their country at the Continental Cup Opening Ceremony, will be treated to excursions to Swings-n-Things Family Fun Park and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and participate in a Multi-Cultural Cookout and Bar-b-que.
The event will kick off on Thursday, July 2 with a free Opening Ceremony and Multi-Cultural Festival at Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University. The festival will run from 6-8 p.m. and feature interactive booths from several Cleveland attractions, live music, visits from Cleveland sports mascots and more. The Opening Ceremony, which features the parade of nations and the lighting of the Continental Cup Cauldron, will begin at 8 p.m. and fireworks from Hamburg Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. The Cleveland community is invited to enjoy this free, family-friendly event to help welcome athletes from around the world and across the nation to Northeast Ohio.
The adidas Continental Cup Soccer Tournament will take place at the North Coast Premier Soccer Complex in Seville, Ohio. The Cleveland Indians Continental Cup Baseball Tournament will be contested at Victory Sports Park in North Ridgeville and Maplewood Park in Cleveland, with the championship games of the U14 and U13 division being played at historic League Park on July 5. The Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup Basketball Tournament will host its games at Baldwin Wallace University and Berea-Midpark High School with select championship games being played at Quicken Loans Arena on July 5.
10th Annual Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival by the Numbers
3,000 athletes
215 teams
550 games
15 partner hotels
2,500 hotel room nights
$3.6 million of economic activity
Since 2006
Over 2,100 teams
Over 25,000 athletes
37 countries
$27.7 million of economic activity
For more information, competition schedules and more visit www.continental-cup.com.