A tournament is any organized special event that brings together teams of soccer players for the purpose of competing in soccer games; whether for sportsmanship, or a championship or other competitive recognition, with or without awards, it is an opportunity to create an environment that is good for the players and for the game.
Tournaments can either be a play-off system, for fun, like a Soccerfest, or for competition. But mostly, tournaments are intended as a way to allow kids an additional opportunity to play soccer.
Holding a tournament can and should be beneficial to the AYSO group hosting it. There are a variety of reasons to host one: Innumerable hours of hard work and preparation by a staff of dedicated volunteers are necessary to have a successful tournament experience.
Participation
Participating in a successful tournament should be the source of good memories and lasting friendships for both the hosts and guests. Most significantly, a tournament provides a valuable opportunity for players to play the game of soccer beyond the primary program, providing an enjoyable time for players, coaches, referees and tournament volunteers.
Development
In addition to creating memories, hosting a tournament can also foster Region, Area or Section development through collaboration. It is also a great vehicle to demonstrate how AYSO is different from other youth sports in your community through our value system and the camaraderie it builds between player and volunteer. In a more practical sense, it can be used as a playoff that helps advances teams to Area or Section play.
Fundraising
Hosting a tournament can also be used as a fundraising option but remember, this is a business venture entered in to by the Region, Area or Section and while most tournaments hope to generate revenue from the event, there is the risk of some economic loss. Being entrusted with fees paid by teams to provide a service (a tournament) implies an obligation on the part of the hosts to deliver that service in a quality manner and as stated in the tournament invitation.
Fundraising activities involve fiscal responsibility to the Region and the organization. AYSO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all fundraising ventures must be designed to protect this status. The most common acceptable fundraising usages include monies for player scholarships, keeping Region registration fees affordable, field development, field usage fees and new equipment.
If you decide to use your tournament for any fundraising initiatives like this, please make sure you alert the National Office and that it is clearly noted on all your collateral material marketing the event.
AYSO tournaments that include participation by more than one section or are open to non-AYSO teams or to international teams, MUST be approved at the national level. Those tournaments not falling into these categories but wishing to have exposure AYSO.org must also be approved at this level. For further information, write to tournaments@ayso.org.
Types of Tournament:
- AYSO Invitational = Open to all AYSO teams in stated divisions
- AYSO Open Invitational = Open to AYSO and non-AYSO teams
Note: If open to non-AYSO teams, but only within a certain geographic area, it is still an Open Invitational - Section = Open to AYSO teams from that Section
- Area = Open to AYSO teams from that Area
If you would like your AYSO Tournament listing posted on the national tournaments page, please email a copy of the signed Tournament Authorization Form along with the Website Form to tournaments@ayso.org
Tournament Handbook:
National Tournament Handbook – Rev 1.01
Tournament Authorization Forms:
Sample Authorization Package TC-100-s
tc-100-s5983
Tournament Authorization Form TC-101
tc-1015985
Tournament Authorization Approval Checklist TC-102
tc-1025986
Tournament Website Information Form TC-105
Tournament Income & Expense Report Form TC-110
Tournament Income & Expense Report Form Instructions
tc-110-fi5989
Tournament Income & Expense Report Form
Tournament Organization Chart TC-115
tc-1155991
Tournament Team Invitation Sample TC-120
Tournament Team Invitation Form Instructions
tc-120-fi5992
Tournament Team Invitation Sample
tc-1205993
Tournament Team Application Sample
TC-125Tournament Team Application Form Instructions
tc-125-fi5994
Tournament Team Application Sample
tc-1255995
Tournament Team Roster Sample TC-130
Tournament Team Roster Instructions (TC-125fi)
tc-125-fi5994
Tournament Team Roster Sample
tc-1305996
Viewing and Printing Certification Records
viewing_and_printing_certification_records5785
Tournament Guest Player Form Sample TC-135
Tournament Guest Player Form Instructions (TC-125fi)
tc-125-fi5994
Tournament Guest Player Form Sample
tc-1355997
Tournament Rules Sample TC-140
Tournament Rules Sample Form Instructions
tc-140-fi5998
Tournament Rules Sample
tc-1405999
Referee Plan Sample TC-145
Referee Plan Sample Form Instructions
tc-145-fi6000
Referee Plan Sample
tc-1456001
Referee Team Information Form Sample TC-146
Referee Team Information Form Instructions (TC-145fi)
tc-145-fi6000
Referee Team Information Form Sample
tc-1466002
Youth Referee Authorization Form Sample TC-147
Referee Team Information Form Instructions (TC-145fi)
tc-145-fi6000
Youth Referee Authorization Form Sample
tc-1476003
Tournament Safety Plan Form TC-150
Tournament Safety Plan Form Instructions
tc-150-fi6004
Tournament Safety Plan Form
tc-1506005
Tournament Safety & Risk Management Checklist TC-151
Tournament Safety Risk Management Form Instructions (TC-150fi)
tc-150-fi6004
Tournament Safety & Risk Management Checklist
tc-1516006
Tournament Management Forms:
Notification of Financial Non-Compliance Letter TC-310
Financial Compliance Letters – Instructions
tc-310-fi6022
Notification of Financial Non-Compliance Letter
tc-3106023
Follow-Up to Notification of Financial Non-Compliance Letter TC-311
tc-3116024
Notification of Tournament Denial Letter TC-312
tc-3126025
Section Tournament Planning Calendar TC-320
tc-3206026
Section Tournament Administrator 45-Day Checklist TC-321
Section Tournament Administrator 45-Day Checklist Instructions
tc-321-fi6027
Section Tournament Administrator 45-Day Checklist
tc-3216028
Tournaments: Open Invitational Forms:
Open Invitational Invitation
open_invitational_invitation5978
Open Invitational Team Application
open_invitational_team_application5981
Open Invitational Team Roster
open_invitational_team_roster5982
Open Invitational Guest Player Form
open_invitational_guest_player_form5977
Open Invitational Referee Plan
open_invitational_referee_plan5979
Open Invitational Rules and Regs
open_invitational_rules_and_regs5980
US Soccer Application to Host a Tournament or Games Involving Foreign Teams OIIT-01
oiit-015972
US Soccer Application for Foreign Travel OIIT-02
oiit-025973
AYSO – Mutual of Omaha (SAI) – Travel Assistance Flyer & Cards
2016_SAI_travel_assistance7340
US Soccer Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act for Foreign Travel OIIT-03
oiit-035974
AYSO Application for Travel to Non-AYSO Hosted Tournament OIIT-04
oiit-045975
AYSO Team Roster for Travel to Non-AYSO Hosted Tournament OIIT-05
oiit-055976
Other Documents:
AYSO Incident Report Form
Referee Voucher Form Sample TC-205
Referee Misconduct Report Form TC-210
Referee Feedback Form TC-215
Tournament Sponsor Request Letter TC-220
Tournament Sponsor Thank You Letter TC-221
Tournament Team Sponsor Request Letter TC-222
Tournament Team Sponsor Thank You Letter TC-223
U-16/U-19 Player Time Monitor Card TC-230
U-16/U-19 Player Time Monitor Card Instructions
U-16/U-19 Player Time Monitor Card
Tournament Game Card Form TC-235
Tournament Team Behavior Report TC-240
T-Shirt Order Form TC-250
Tournament Planning Timeline TC-255
Field Monitor Incident Report Form TC-260
Tournament Formats TC-265
