The SAC Columbus Day Tournament is scheduled for October 10–11, 2026, bringing youth soccer teams together for a weekend of competition in Maryland. The 21st annual event features boys’ and girls’ teams across age groups U8 through U15, with different playing formats, organized brackets, and awards for top-performing teams. Hosted by the Soccer Association of Columbia, the tournament combines competitive soccer with player development and community participation. As October 11 marks the final scheduled day, teams and families should focus on current match assignments, field locations, recorded scores, and confirmed division standings.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – The 2026 competition is scheduled for October 10–11 in Maryland. ║
║ – This year’s event is the tournament’s 21st annual edition. ║
║ – Boys’ and girls’ divisions include teams from U8 through U15. ║
║ – The published playing formats include 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. ║
║ – First- and second-place teams in each bracket receive awards. ║
║ – Matches use multiple facilities across designated Maryland areas. ║
║ – Team check-in, player passes, and roster requirements are important participation rules. ║
║ – Current schedules and official match records are essential for verifying results. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Overview of the 2026 Youth Soccer Event
The annual tournament provides a competitive setting for youth soccer clubs seeking meaningful match experience during the October holiday weekend. Teams compete against opponents in their respective age divisions, giving players opportunities to apply skills developed during training.
The 2026 edition marks 21 years of the event. Its established format accommodates younger players learning the fundamentals of organized competition and older athletes working within more advanced team structures.
The competition is organized around age-group brackets. Each team’s assigned schedule determines its opponents, kickoff times, and field locations. The tournament’s championship-style structure also gives teams the opportunity to compete for placement awards.
For participating clubs, a tournament weekend requires more than preparing a starting lineup. Coaches must manage player availability, substitutions, warm-ups, travel, and matchday documentation. Families also need accurate venue information to avoid arriving at the wrong field.
As the event reaches its scheduled final day, current match information becomes especially important. A published fixture confirms a planned game, but only updated match records can establish whether the game took place and which team won.
Tournament Dates and Important Details
The competition is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026. The published registration information lists September 11 as the application deadline and September 28 as the planned schedule release date.
The event’s main details are summarized below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament year | 2026 |
| Scheduled dates | October 10–11, 2026 |
| Host organization | Soccer Association of Columbia |
| Tournament management | Elite Tournaments |
| State | Maryland |
| Divisions | Boys and girls |
| Age categories | U8–U15 |
| Competition format | Championship-style brackets |
| Planned schedule release | September 28, 2026 |
| Listed application deadline | September 11, 2026 |
The schedule provides the foundation for planning the tournament weekend. Coaches need to know when their teams must report, while parents need sufficient time to organize transportation and arrive before kickoff.
Because the event uses several playing facilities, teams should not assume that every match takes place at the same venue. They should check the latest assignment for each scheduled game.
October 11 is the final scheduled day, but the date alone does not establish that all matches are complete. Final scores, standings, and award winners should be considered confirmed only when the current tournament records support them.
Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions Explained
The event includes boys’ and girls’ teams from U8 through U15. These categories group players by age eligibility and provide an appropriate structure for competition.
The youngest divisions emphasize participation, technical development, and learning to play within a team. Older divisions require greater tactical understanding, coordinated movement, and communication across the field.
The published age-group information lists these playing formats and roster limits.
| Age Group | Listed Birth Years | Format | Maximum Roster |
|---|---|---|---|
| U8 | 2019/2018 | 7v7 | 14 |
| U9 | 2018/2017 | 7v7 | 14 |
| U10 | 2017/2016 | 7v7 | 14 |
| U11 | 2016/2015 | 9v9 | 16 |
| U12 | 2015/2014 | 9v9 | 16 |
| U13 | 2014/2013 | 11v11 | 22 |
| U14 | 2013/2012 | 11v11 | 22 |
| U15 | 2012/2011 | 11v11 | 22 |
Coaches should verify birth-year eligibility and roster requirements against the official rules for their division. The listed ranges help identify the relevant categories, but teams should rely on their accepted registration records when resolving eligibility questions.
The change from 7v7 to 9v9 and then 11v11 affects how teams organize their play. Smaller-sided matches provide more opportunities for individual involvement and quick decisions. Larger-sided games require broader positional awareness and coordination between different areas of the field.
Roster limits also influence match preparation. Coaches should confirm player availability and ensure that their matchday lineups comply with the rules.
Maryland Venues and Field Assignments
The tournament uses multiple facilities across Maryland. The general field allocation varies by age group and gender, so families should review the exact assignment rather than rely on a general venue list.
The published information identifies CopperPlex and Cedar Lane Park in Bel Air for girls’ teams from U8 through U15. Boys’ U8–U12 teams are assigned to Covenant Park and other designated Howard County fields.
Boys’ U13 teams may use designated facilities in Baltimore County and Howard County. The U14 and U15 boys’ divisions use Howard County fields.
Other facilities listed among the event’s field resources include:
- Alpha Ridge Park
- Blandair Park
- Howard Community College
- Troy Park
- Western Regional Park
These facilities serve as general reference points and do not establish the location of every individual match.
Before leaving home, parents should confirm the exact field, kickoff time, and directions shown on their team’s current schedule. Coaches should also consider parking, check-in, and warm-up time when planning arrival.
Teams with consecutive matches may need to move between fields or facilities. Allowing sufficient travel time can help players arrive prepared without rushing through pregame routines.
Competition Structure and Championship Awards
The tournament follows a championship-style format. First- and second-place teams in each bracket receive awards, while the bracket structure depends on the number of participating teams.
This arrangement allows the event to accommodate different levels of participation across age groups. It also means that each team’s match sequence must be checked individually.
The current bracket is the best way to follow a team’s progress. It shows the relevant matchups and recorded outcomes needed to understand standings and placement.
Coaches should avoid assuming that all divisions have identical schedules. The number of teams and the tournament’s specific arrangements can affect how each bracket progresses.
Competitive matches can also provide useful information beyond the final score. Coaches can assess passing accuracy, defensive positioning, communication, transition play, and the ability to respond to pressure.
For younger athletes, tournament participation can help build confidence and understanding of organized soccer. Older players can use competitive fixtures to strengthen tactical discipline and improve their decision-making against unfamiliar opponents.
Registration, Player Passes and Team Eligibility
Participation requires teams to complete the tournament’s administrative process. The published instructions require online check-in through GotSport and valid player identification passes.
Birth certificates are not accepted as substitutes for the required player passes. Teams must also ensure that their roster information and supporting documents satisfy the event rules.
The published requirements include:
- An official team roster from an accepted soccer organization.
- Valid player identification passes matching the roster.
- A completed tournament liability waiver.
- Guest-player documentation when applicable.
- Travel permission when required.
The listed check-in deadline was October 2, 2026. The deadline for roster and related changes was October 7 at 10 p.m. The published instructions state that changes would not be accepted after that cutoff.
Teams should ensure that all players meet the relevant eligibility requirements. Coaches also need to understand the matchday roster rules that apply to their age group.
For U13, U14, and U15 matches, the published rules limit the number of players who may dress in uniform for an individual match to 18. Coaches should prepare their lineups accordingly and review any additional division-specific requirements.
Entry Fees and Financial Planning
Entry fees vary by age group. The published 2026 amounts are listed below.
| Age Group | Published Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| U8 | $895 |
| U9 | $975 |
| U10 | $975 |
| U11 | $1,025 |
| U12 | $1,025 |
| U13 | $1,200 |
| U14 | $1,200 |
| U15 | $1,250 |
The published information also lists a $350 performance bond for U13, U14, and U15 teams. The applicable payment terms determine how that bond is handled.
The tournament’s published registration policy states that entry fees are nonrefundable. Teams that purchased event cancellation coverage may qualify for reimbursement under the policy’s terms if unsafe weather conditions cancel or shorten the event.
Families should account for other expenses, including transportation, meals, equipment, and accommodation when necessary. These costs vary based on travel distance and individual arrangements.
Since the registration deadline has passed, the published fees mainly provide a reference for understanding the event’s cost structure. Prospective participants should check future registration information before planning entry into another edition.
Weather Conditions and Matchday Preparation
Weather is an important consideration for an outdoor soccer event. Heavy rain, lightning, flooding, and other unsafe conditions can affect field availability and match schedules.
The tournament publishes event safety procedures, including a lightning protocol. Players, coaches, referees, and spectators should follow instructions from tournament officials whenever conditions create a potential hazard.
A weather forecast alone does not establish that a match has been canceled. Participants should look for confirmed announcements before changing travel plans.
Coaches can prepare by keeping team communication channels updated and ensuring that parents know where to check for schedule changes. Families should also allow enough time to respond if a venue or kickoff time changes.
Safety decisions may affect a single match or multiple fields, depending on conditions. Tournament staff and officials determine the appropriate procedures for the event.
GreenDrop Donation Drive and Community Participation
The 2026 tournament also features a GreenDrop donation drive. The initiative encourages families and participants to donate gently used goods that can be reused.
The published donation categories include clothing, shoes, toys, books, kitchenware, and other reusable household items.
Donations may be taken to tournament headquarters or given to field marshals at participating locations. Families should confirm the collection arrangements with event staff before bringing items.
The initiative provides a community activity alongside the sporting competition. Reusing household goods can help reduce waste while directing usable items toward further use.
Participants should ensure that donated items are suitable for reuse and follow any instructions provided at the collection point.
How to Follow Scores and Final Standings
The final day of a tournament often brings increased interest in match outcomes and bracket standings. However, a scheduled fixture should not be treated as a completed game without a recorded result.
Teams and families should check their latest match assignments and recorded scores. They should also confirm whether any schedule changes affect their division.
The event uses the hashtag #SACColumbusDay for tournament-related social media posts. These posts may help families discover photographs and participant updates, but official match records remain the better basis for confirming results.
A practical matchday checklist includes:
- Confirm the latest kickoff time.
- Verify the exact field location.
- Check the opposing team and bracket.
- Review confirmed schedule or weather changes.
- Allow time for parking and warm-ups.
- Check the recorded score after the match.
- Verify final standings before identifying division winners.
This approach helps prevent confusion when multiple age groups play at different venues.
Final Update on the 2026 Tournament
The 2026 event brings youth soccer teams from U8 through U15 to Maryland for a scheduled weekend of competition. Its age-specific formats, championship-style brackets, multiple venues, and roster requirements make careful planning essential for participating clubs and families.
As October 11 marks the final scheduled day, the priority is to verify current match information and recorded results. Final standings and award winners should be confirmed through the latest available tournament records rather than assumed from the original schedule.
The competition also combines youth sports with a community donation initiative, offering families another way to participate during the weekend. Accurate information about fixtures, locations, and results remains essential for following the event from start to finish.
Are you supporting a team in this year’s tournament? Share your experience and confirmed results in the comments, and keep checking for the latest verified updates.