Massive Labor Day soccer tourney set for Lakewood Ranch

It will be wall-to-wall soccer players at Lakewood Ranch's Labor Day weekend soccer tournament at Premier Sports Campus. Shown above in a Herald file photo are a group of players from a few years ago at a big tourney at Sarasota Polo Club.

An estimated 300 teams from around Florida are expected at Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3, 4 and 5.

It will be the the biggest tournament yet at the new complex.  The Clearwater Chargers and Fusion Futbol Club will be hosting  the 2011 Labor Day Showcase for age groups including boys and girls 9-18 years old.  

More than 18,000 athletes and fans expected over the three-day period, according to a press release from developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

“The economic impact that this campus will have over the next few years, with its sheer size and capacity to host hundreds of teams, is enormous,” said Jason Puckett, director of sports for the Sarasota County Sports Commission, in the press release.

“Last year, when 170 teams competed in this event at the Sarasota Polo Grounds, the tournament produced $2.5 million of economic impact, 1,232 room nights (based on hotel reporting) and 3,230 non-local competitors.  With estimates of 300 teams for this year, the projected economic impact could be $4.1 million, 2,500 room nights and 4,750 non-local competitors.  It’s huge for this area,”Puckett said.

For more, visit our previous story:

//www.bradenton.com/2011/08/18/3428670/premier-sports-campus-to-light.html