Dallas’ youth soccer tournament draws in $38 million in economic impact, report says

More than 100,000 people descended on North Texas for the 2024 Dallas Cup, according to the report.

DALLAS — The 2024 Dallas Cup brought in an estimated $38 million of economic impact to the DFW region, according to a city council report released Thursday.

The Park and Recreation Board met Thursday at 10 a.m., where assistant director Ryan O’Connor presented that the youth soccer tournament drew more than 100,000 attendees throughout all of its five venues: Cotton Bowl, Toyota Stadium, Toyota Soccer Center, MoneyGram Soccer Park and Richland College.

Two-hundred-eighty-four teams from over 30 countries competed in the 13 different youth divisions during Easter Week.

According to the report, 21 different hotel properties booked over 9,400 total hotel rooms during the soccer tournament.

It was also announced that the 2025 Dallas Cup would be held from April 12 through April 20.

Dallas Cup also announced Thursday that its girl’s side of the youth tournament would coincide with the Dallas Texans International Girls Cup.

Dallas Cup history, alumni

Over the course of the past 40-plus years, several of the world’s most prestigious clubs have participated in the Dallas Cup, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, River Plate, “Chivas”, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, Club America, PSG, and AC Milan, and more.

Some of soccer’s biggest stars competed in the Dallas Cup as youth players, including David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Ricardo Pepi, Alphonso Davies, Bukayo Saka, and Weston McKennie. Between players and referees, 50 Dallas Cup tournament alumni were featured in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.