Press Releases Archives - Cal South

Cal South Renews Partnership with XbotGo, Expands Use of AI Camera Technology in Coaching Education & ODP

rjohnson — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:09:30 +0000

Anaheim, Calif. [December 4, 2025] — Cal South, the official youth and adult state soccer association for Southern California, announced today that it has renewed its partnership with XbotGo as its Official AI Camera Partner. The renewed agreement expands on a successful program that saw XbotGo’s autonomous sports-tracking cameras integrated into some of Cal South’s most important player and coach development programs.

XbotGo’s technology has become a core tool in Cal South’s U.S. Soccer Coaching Education “C” License courses, a mid-level coaching certification focused on training session design, principles of play, player analysis, and creating effective developmental environments. Because the “C” License curriculum relies heavily on video analysis, XbotGo’s automated tracking cameras have enabled instructors and candidates to capture consistent, high-quality footage without dedicating staff to film training sessions manually.

Cal South has also been using XbotGo devices at its Olympic Development Program (ODP) Identification Camps, statewide talent-evaluation events where elite youth players are scouted for potential advancement to regional and national ODP pools. These camps require accurate, reviewable recordings of live play to assess players’ technical and tactical decisions. XbotGo’s AI-powered tracking has provided evaluators with improved visibility while giving families better access to highlights and game recordings.

“Integrating XbotGo into our programs has elevated the experience for both coaches and players. In Coaching Education, it enhances the quality of feedback. In ODP, it helps evaluators see the full picture. Renewing the partnership was an easy decision."

Jeff Dyrek, Cal South CEO Tweet

Cal South members continue to receive a 20% discount on XbotGo product purchases, ensuring that clubs, coaches, and families across Southern California can more easily access the technology.

Dr. David Tan, Founder and CEO of XbotGo, said the company is proud to support one of the most influential soccer communities in the country.

“Cal South has been an incredible partner. Seeing our technology help coaches teach more effectively and help players shine in high-stakes evaluation settings is exactly what we designed XbotGo to do.”

Dr. David Tan, XbotGo Founder & CEO Tweet

The renewed partnership will bring expanded camera access and new collaborative initiatives throughout 2026, including enhanced support for coaching courses, ODP events, and select Cal South competitions and showcases.

About Cal South
The California State Soccer Association – South (Cal South) is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and is an official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The organization, with a service area that extends from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, provides rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages, genders, and skill levels.

About XbotGo
XbotGo is the consumer AI brand under Blink Tech, Inc., founded by Dr. David Tan —a leading expert in computer vision, a hardware innovator, and above all, a dedicated soccer dad. Driven by the belief that everyone should be able to capture and relive their best sports moments, XbotGo makes pro-level videography easy and accessible for all. With a core team of graduates from globally renowned institutions and experienced veterans from leading tech companies, alongside many highly skilled and experienced engineers, XbotGo brings academic rigor, diverse experiences, and global vision to drive innovation across the world. XbotGo operates in Silicon Valley, Texas, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Suzhou, leveraging global R&D and supply chain advantages to innovate and build efficiently.

Media Contact:
Gabriel Roxas
Public Relations Manager
XbotGo
469.922.3416
GabrielR@blinktech.us

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All Cal South Members Should Be Aware of the Laws of the Game Changes for the Fall 2025-26 Season

rjohnson — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:37:57 +0000

ANAHEIM, CA (Wednesday, September 3, 2025) – With our Fall 2025-26 playing season swiftly reaching opening weekend in a couple of days, the Cal South Referee Program would like ALL Cal South members – coaches, referees, team administrators, parents, and players – to be well aware of the latest changes to the Laws of the Game in advance of the season launch.

The International Football Association Board (The IFAB), which oversees soccer’s official Laws of the Game, recently released their latest round of change updates. IFAB has created a presentation with corresponding text on their website to help everyone review the Law changes and clearly and easily understand how these changes will be employed in game situations…

U.S. Soccer’s Referee Program has also created their own presentation that further explains the Law changes and offers their practical advice for game and situational implementation…

After you catch up on the latest
Laws of the Game changes,
why not test your knowledge?

Once you get caught up on the latest changes to the Laws of the Game, click the button below to take a 2025-26 Laws of the Game Review…

The post All Cal South Members Should Be Aware of the Laws of the Game Changes for the Fall 2025-26 Season appeared first on Cal South.

Cal South Partner XbotGo Announces Upcoming Falcon 4K AI Camera Launch

rjohnson — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:21:07 +0000

Anaheim, CA (Tuesday, September 9, 2025) – XbotGo, the consumer AI brand under Blink Tech, Inc. who earlier this year partnered with Cal South Soccer, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Falcon, an all-in-one AI-powered 4K sports camera engineered for parents, coaches, and athletes who want to capture every game-changing moment — hands-free and hassle-free.

Falcon’s recent debut as a pre-launch product on Kickstarter gives backers the first look and exclusive early access to a next-generation smart sports camera before it becomes available to the public. Excitement surrounding XbotGo’s latest model has been incredible. Within the first hours of Falcon’s Kickstarter debut for an exclusive early access opportunity, eager sports technology enthusiasts pledged more than $1 million to fund the project.

Following Cal South’s announcement of their partnership with XbotGo, they began employing multiple XbotGo Chameleon AI cameras in many of their events, camps, and training courses.

“We are very excited to give our members a head-start on what is sure to be the most sought after camera tech in youth sports. After our experience with the Chameleon cameras so far, we are sure the new Falcon model is bound to become another essential tool for those who love soccer.”

Jeff Dyrek, Cal South Soccer CEO

As the use of AI-powered video footage becomes increasingly valuable in modern sports, Cal South’s Chameleon cameras have helped its coaches refine team strategy, as well as helped many athletes improve their individual performance. Via the partnership, Cal South secured for its members an exclusive discount on XbotGo equipment for parents eager to preserve and share their young players’ winning moments.

Key features of the XbotGo Falcon at a glance:

Smart Tracking: Supports 20+ AI tracking modes and optimized for over 20 sports, including soccer, basketball, hockey, and more.
True 4K, No Distortion: Crystal-clear video with zero cropping, powered by a dual-sensor system.
No Subscriptions: Full access to AI features, editing tools, and live streaming — with zero monthly fees.
Performance Analysis with AI: Tracks players, movements, passes, and scores — perfect for post-game review.
Hands-Free Setup in Seconds. Film Like a Pro: Falcon is game-day ready in under a minute — no technical skills required.
Tailored for Everyone: Its jersey number and body-type recognition algorithms ensure your key player is always in frame — no matter the chaos on the field.
Highlights and Analysis in Real Time: Falcon’s AI automatically detects highlight-worthy moments, edits them into shareable clips, and provides detailed movement and tactical insights — no editing or data science degree required.
Style Meets Function: Falcon is available in dark gray, lime green, and pink, with a premium design that blends a high-contrast display and tactile physical controls — built for performance, styled for real life.

Designed by hardware visionary and soccer dad, Dr. David Tan, Falcon offers professional-grade features without complexity or ongoing costs. It’s the most accessible smart sports camera ever built.

“I never believed that advanced technology should only be a luxury for the rich. I believe in the democratization of technology: that innovation is most powerful when it serves the most people.”

Dr. David Tan, Founder of XbotGo

About Cal South:
The California State Soccer Association – South (Cal South) is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and is an official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The organization, with a service area that extends from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, provides rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Visit: calsouth.com

About XbotGo:
XbotGo is the consumer AI brand under Blink Tech, Inc., founded by Dr. David Tan —a leading expert in computer vision, a hardware innovator, and above all, a dedicated soccer dad. Driven by the belief that everyone should be able to capture and relive their best sports moments, XbotGo makes pro-level videography easy and accessible for all. With a core team of graduates from globally renowned institutions and experienced veterans from leading tech companies, alongside many highly skilled and experienced engineers, XbotGo brings academic rigor, diverse experiences, and global vision to drive innovation across the world. XbotGo operates in Silicon Valley, Texas, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Suzhou, leveraging global R&D and supply chain advantages to innovate and build efficiently. Visit: https://xbotgo.com/

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Welcome to Cal South’s Fall 2025-26 Soccer Season!

rjohnson — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:22:10 +0000

Anaheim, CA (Friday, September 4, 2025) – Cal South wishes to welcome all of its members, both long-time and brand new, to the start of our 2025-26 Fall soccer season!

A Message from Cal South CEO Jeff Dyrek:

"I would like to take this moment to welcome all of you to an exciting new Fall soccer season. I am extremely pleased you have chosen to play with us this season, and hope that you find it a marvelous experience for you and your players.

"Cal South continues to make great strides in strengthening and improving its many programs and events to provide the best opportunities for all of our members, adding to the continued growth we have seen at the membership level. Through the excellent efforts of our staff and board members, we listen hard to the needs of our members and do our best to find solutions for them.

"If you have not done so already, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the many programs and initiatives that Cal South has to offer. And if you have further questions or need more information, feel free to contact us [info@calsouth.com or 714.778.2972] and we will do our best to help."

Cal South Is...

…THE official state youth and adult soccer association representing the Southern California area for US Youth Soccer (USYS) and the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), we are the umbrella organization for over 200 local affiliate member leagues and clubs.

Starting in 1974 and continuing for over 50 years now, Cal South has provided rewarding recreational and competitive soccer opportunities for players of all ages, genders, and skill levels.

If you signed up your child to play fall soccer this season with any of our affiliate member leagues or clubs, then you are not just a member of that league or club, but a member of Cal South too!

RESPECT FOR ALL MEMBERS & SAYING NO TO RACISM

Cal South seeks to create a sustained atmosphere of safety and respect both on and off the field for all participants involved, not just for players, but also coaches, referees, parents, administrators, and spectators. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just bywords for us, but a must to maintain the atmosphere of fair play and respect for which we strive.

We are confronting the terrible rise in referee abuse and racial violence on soccer pitches head on by aligning with the policies of FIFA and U.S. Soccer. Our RESPECT campaign was launched a couple of years ago and continues to educate our members, starting at the game level by seeking to reduce unneccesary interactions between referees and participants, and also by protecting youth referees.

To learn more: https://calsouth.com/cal-south-respect-campaign/.

Cal South is also an adoptee of FIFA’s Global Stand Against Racism, a worldwide initiative to counter all forms of racism in football. Launched with the backing of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations and players from around the globe, the initiative reflects a unified commitment to tackling racism both on and off the pitch. It focuses on meaningful education, stronger accountability, and cultural change across the entire football ecosystem.

To learn more: https://inside.fifa.com/campaigns/no-discrimination/no-racism.

HOW CAN CAL SOUTH BENEFIT YOU, YOUR PLAYERS, OR YOUR TEAMS?

A simple look at our website – calsouth.com – is the quickest way for a new member to become familiar with everything that we provide for our members. The drop-down menus on our homepage reveal the major programs and initiatives that Cal South offers, including:

Coaching Education – We provide access for members to take USSF-certified courses to start their coaching journey, or expand their coaching knowledge to higher license levels. All current courses are listed on our Coaching Courses page here.

Referee Education – Our acclaimed Cal South Referee Program is tops in training new referees, who must recertify annually and comply with the code of ethics, procedures, policies, and certification of the USSF. All current courses are listed on our Referee Courses page here.

Pro+ ODP – Our Olympic Development Program (ODP) is one of the most successful in the country, identifying and placing more players on National Team rosters than any other state association since its creation. Our ODP teams have won more regional and national titles than any other state program as well. Learn more here

Cal South State Cup & National Cup – Our hugely popular, large-scale annual tournaments act as direct conduits for many winning teams to the USYS National Championship Series and USYS National Presidents Cup Series, the top team events within US Youth Soccer. Registration is opening soon for our 2026 editions of State Cup and National Cup!

Coast Soccer League – CSL is the oldest and most successful competitive youth soccer league in Southern California, offering a multi-tier system of play where teams are promoted or relegated based on performance, not management decisions. It provides both seasonal and year-round opportunities for competitive teams to play. To learn more, click here.

Spring Soccer – Cal South has a great variety of leagues available where competitive teams looking for a real challenge during the Spring soccer season can find the best experience that fits their talents. To learn more, click here.

Recreational Soccer – In addition to our affiliate member recreational leagues and clubs, Cal South directly provides a recreational Intercity League, and all-recreational annual tournaments like the Tournament of All-Stars.

Cal South Adult State Cup – Cal South offers an annual open State Cup tournament for adult soccer teams, which, for the ultimate champion may often culminate in an eventual trip to the Lamar Hunt Open Cup tournament. For more, click here.

Cal South TOPSoccer – Our community-based recreational program specifically designed to help athletes with physical and mental disabilities participate in soccer. TOPSoccer is an opportunity for the soccer community to come together and make a difference in the lives of all participants. To learn more, click here.

Special Events & Tournaments – Our annual Soccer de Mayo tournament in Norco has continued to be a major success, as well as our annual Labor Day Cup event at Kern County Soccer Park. Coming up soon is our latest edition of our Winter Classic tournament. And we are always looking for other great ways to bring “the Beautiful Game” to everyone, everywhere!

Cal South 5v5 Soccer Series – Affiliate member leagues and clubs can take advantage of our partnership with 5v5 Soccer to easily create engaging, competitive, and well-organized small-sided tournaments. To learn more, click here.

Partnership Member Benefits – Dicks Sporting Goods, with discounted event weekends for our members; special offers from Rize Credit Union, Clark Pest Control, PRIME, and Raising Cane’s; Kelme and Official Sports, offering uniforms and branded apparel for all members; AI camera discounts from XbotGo; and more!

SafeSport & Risk Management – All coaches, referees, and team administrators must go through and complete training via the U.S. Center for SafeSport before being allowed to work with minors on our fields. All involved must also complete the LiveScan Risk Management background check and fingerprinting process. Learn more here.

Insurance & Registar Resources – Everything a registrar or admin for one of our Affiliate Members needs to prepare themselves for the registration season or an upcoming tournament. A handy portal to obtain Field Certificates of Insurance (COI), Accident Insurance forms for players at Cal South-sanctioned events, access to registration forms, age matrixes, player loan forms, waiver forms, etc. Learn more here.

As we always have, Cal South continues to find creative and exciting ways to engage our members and expand their opportunities to further enjoy “the Beautiful Game”.

We encourage you to keep in touch with us and to follow the latest developments from Cal South. The surest way to do this is to get on our email list by visiting our homepage and signing up for our email newsletters at the bottom of the page.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest news, photos, and videos, or follow our YouTube channel.

Once again, welcome to the new season!
And if you are new to Cal South, welcome!

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Cal South Announces Aug. 1st as Seasonal Year Age Group Registration Start Date

rjohnson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:36:07 +0000

Anaheim, CA (Wednesday, June 18, 2025) – After a full review, Cal South officially announces that it will align with US Youth Soccer in accepting August 1st as the Seasonal Year age group formation start date. Even though USYS will begin using it in the Fall of 2026-2027, Cal South plans to begin using seasonal year registration in the Spring of 2026 to allow clubs to get acclimated to the new system.

The move is being made to ease registration alignment for all leagues, clubs, teams and players in our region – based on school year not birth year, per U.S. Soccer’s decision earlier this year – regardless of affiliation with any particular organization.

The seasonal year will run from Aug. 1 through July 31, rather than Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 as many organizations, including Cal South, had previously announced. This change will NOT affect the upcoming Fall 2025-2026 season at all.

US Youth Soccer announced its decision to move to an August 1 start date last week. The move was made in a collective decision alongside AYSO and US Club Soccer. This was US Youth Soccer’s announcement last week…

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Cal North & Cal South to Launch Inter-Regional League Starting Fall 2025

rjohnson — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:48:21 +0000

CALIFORNIA (Monday, June 9, 2025) – Cal North and Cal South are excited to announce a new collaborative event-based league for U12 (9v9) and U14 (11v11) boys and girls teams beginning Fall 2025.

“Both state associations in California have been working together behind the scenes to make this happen and offer quality competition to our teams limiting out of state travel for families,” said Marley Wilson, Cal North Executive Director.

“There’s so much talent in both Southern and Northern California, our goal is to bring those top teams together providing that flexibility that they might need,” said Jesus Cisneros, Cal South Director of Soccer Programming.

Cal South CEO, Jeff Dyrek added, “It’s really fantastic that both of our organizations can come together to produce this exciting opportunity for talented teams throughout all of California.”

What Makes This League Unique?

Quality Over Quantity
- Only 4 teams per age group and gender from each association will be accepted, ensuring a highly competitive and rewarding experience.
Event-Based Format
- Opening Weekend: August or after Labor Day in September at a central location. Teams play 2 games Saturday, 1 game Sunday.
- Second Event Weekend: Same format, new location.
- Final Event Weekend: Tournament-style in Bakersfield, California, with seeding and a Championship match.
Outstanding Incentives
- Cal North: Champions in each age group/gender will receive free ODP tryout registration for every player for the 2025/2026 seasonal year.
- Cal South: Champions will receive free entry into the Cal South State Cup.
No League Fees
- All direct costs (referees, registration, facilities, awards) are shared evenly among participating teams.
Flexible Scheduling
- Event weekends allow teams to continue in other leagues and tournaments.

Why Participate?

Top-tier competition with the best teams from Northern and Southern California.
Advancement opportunities for teams and players.
Flexible, event-focused scheduling.
No League Fees.
Outstanding Incentives for teams and players.
A new standard for quality youth soccer competition in California.

How to Apply:

Interested teams or individuals with additional questions, please contact:

Cal North teams contact Marley Wilson at mwilson@calnorth.org
Cal South teams contact Jesus Cisneros at jcisneros@calsouth.com

About Cal North:
Cal North Youth Soccer Association is the original youth soccer organization in Northern California, who has served generations of players, coaches, leagues, and clubs with storied histories since 1969. Cal North is a member of a much larger soccer community, and as a member, you are also a member of this world community. Players register to play with one of the more than 200 clubs or leagues formed by Cal North. Through affiliation, our leagues and clubs are also members of US Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer, and U.S. Futsal. For more information: https://www.calnorth.org/.

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Cal South Welcomes XbotGo as New Official AI Camera Partner

rjohnson — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 22:03:00 +0000

Anaheim, CA (Thursday, June 5, 2025) – Cal South (California State Soccer Association – South) is pleased to announce an exciting new agreement with XbotGo, the innovative, automated video and technology services organization. The partnership gives XbotGo category exclusivity through the terms of the contract, and recognition as the “Official AI Camera of Cal South”.

XbotGo is the creator of an exciting artificial intelligence (AI)-powered and auto-tracking camera system specifically tailored for sports filming. Their system allows for AI auto-tracking, has a special “FollowMe” mode where camera action can begin with just a simple hand gesture toward the camera, highlight editing, 4K, and live streaming for 20+ sports including soccer.

"We are extremely excited about partnering up with XbotGo. Soccer is a fast-paced sport, with a lot of changes of possession and constant action from all angles, so it makes perfect sense that one needs an equally quick and adept camera tech to properly capture that game action. XbotGo is at the forefront of the current technological boom in sports performance video, and this agreement gives our members immediate access to not only a more affordable camera system but one on the very cutting edge of current technological advances."

Jeff Dyrek, Cal South CEO

“We’re thrilled to partner with Cal South as their Official AI Camera Partner. With Cal South’s proud legacy and deep roots across Southern California, this collaboration brings the power of the XbotGo Chameleon directly to families, athletes, coaches, and officials. We're excited to offer exclusive discounted access to this game-changing technology for the entire Cal South soccer community.”

Sean Hennessy, XbotGo's Business Development Manager – North America

The new agreement with XbotGo will give Cal South members access to a special 20% discount offer on purchases of XbotGo AI cameras and products using an exclusive member code (to be released to the membership in the coming week).

Additionally, XbotGo’s camera technology will be utilized this summer during Coaching Education C Level License courses and Cal South Pro+ Olympic Development Program identification camps.

"We're thrilled to welcome XbotGo as Cal South's new official AI camera partner. Their innovative technology transforms how we capture and analyze youth soccer, providing coaches, players, and families with professional-quality footage and insights. This partnership represents our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance player development and showcase the incredible talent within our Cal South community. XbotGo's AI-powered solutions will revolutionize how we document and celebrate our beautiful game."

Nick Webster, Cal South Board Chair

About XbotGo:
Founded by Dr. David Tan, a dedicated father and a visionary with deep expertise in computer vision and smart gadgets, XbotGo is dedicated to enhancing sports experiences for everyone who makes sports happen, from professional coaches and players, to sports enthusiasts and parents, empowering every game with advanced AI and capturing the passion of sports for all.

XbotGo turns your smartphone into a pro sports cameraman, autonomously tracking players, the ball, and every twist of the game. Powered by cutting-edge AI vision, it zooms and pans like a seasoned director, delivering professional-quality sports footage. For parents, coaches, and athletes, this means no more missed moments; just epic highlights, captured effortlessly. Learn more at https://xbotgo.com/.

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Rize & Cal South Launch Partnership to Deliver Scholarships & Financial Education to Soccer Families

rjohnson — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:01:55 +0000

Anaheim, CA (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) – Rize Credit Union (Rize) and Cal South (California State Soccer Association – South) are proud to announce a new multi-year sponsorship and partnership agreement to provide educational and financial empowerment to thousands of families throughout Southern California’s soccer community.

As part of the agreement, Rize has been named an Official Sponsor of Cal South and granted category exclusivity as the organization’s preferred credit union. Together, Rize and Cal South will launch new scholarship opportunities for underserved communities and introduce financial education programs to support players, parents, coaches, referees, and clubs throughout the Southern California region.

"We’re thrilled to partner with Rize Credit Union on this important initiative. Our mission has always been to create opportunities and remove barriers in the game of soccer. With this partnership, we’re extending that mission off the field, providing critical financial knowledge and access that can make a lasting difference in the lives of our members."

Jeff Dyrek, Cal South CEO

“This collaboration represents what’s possible when two mission-driven organizations come together for the greater good. We’re honored to support the Cal South community with resources that empower, educate, and uplift, on and off the field. Equity, integrity, and service to the community are values we both share, and we’re excited about what we’ll accomplish together.”

Jennifer Oliver, Rize Credit Union President & CEO

Through the partnership, Rize will deliver financial literacy opportunities both virtually and in person, including its signature Mad City Money program, a hands-on financial reality simulation that gives youth an eye-opening glimpse into the real-life costs of budgeting, debt, and decision-making. The agreement also includes volunteer and mentorship initiatives, shared marketing opportunities, and a robust presence at Cal South events and digital platforms throughout the partnership term.

About Rize Credit Union:
Rize Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution with a 70-year legacy of service. With a primary focus on Southern California and Southern Nevada, Rize helps individuals, families, and businesses thrive – realizing their potential and taking control of their financial future through personalized support, financial education, and values-driven banking. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Rize is committed to expanding access and delivering impactful solutions, including in underserved areas, to empower lasting financial security. Learn more at RizeCU.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

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SoFi Stadium to Host Concacaf Gold Cup Opening Match June 14

rjohnson — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 01:46:00 +0000

Tickets go on sale starting March 27 at 10 a.m. PT
Gold Cup action returns to SoFi Stadium back-to-back following the 2023 Final
Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup champion Mexico is set to kick off the tournament in the Opening Match

Inglewood, CA (Monday, March 24, 2025) — Concacaf has announced that the opening match of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup – the 18th edition of the Confederation’s flagship men’s national team competition – has been awarded to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match on Saturday, June 14, will feature the 2025 Concacaf Nations League champions, Mexico, who will seek to defend their Gold Cup title after lifting the trophy at SoFi Stadium in 2023.

Tickets for the opening match will be made available to the public starting Thursday, March 27, at 10:00 am (local time) via Ticketmaster.com.

The match will see Gold Cup action return to SoFi Stadium after hosting the 2023 Final, which saw Mexico defeat Panama 1-0 in front of a sold-out crowd. Mexico holds a record nine men’s Gold Cup titles, followed by the United States with seven and Canada with one.

SoFi Stadium, a FIFA World Cup 2026 host venue, is home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, and has hosted some of the world’s most important sporting and entertainment events, including the Gold Cup, Nations League Finals, Copa America, Super Bowl LVI, the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, and WrestleMania, among others.

“We are very excited to announce that the opening match of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, featuring the reigning Gold Cup and Nations League champions, Mexico,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. “The incredible passion for football in Greater Los Angeles was on full display during the recently concluded Concacaf Nations League Celebration Week, where more than 125,000 fans came together for an unforgettable festival of elite football, music, and community events.”

“SoFi Stadium proudly welcomes back the Gold Cup, further strengthening our partnership with Concacaf and showcasing our ability to host world-class international tournaments,” said Adolfo Romero, vice president of programming and booking at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “With the highly anticipated Mexico tournament debut and the excitement building on the road to the FIFA World Cup next summer, SoFi Stadium continues to solidify its position as a global soccer hub in Los Angeles, bringing together passionate fans and elite athletes on the world stage.”

Last September, Concacaf announced that the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup will be played across 14 stadiums and 11 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. This includes five FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums – AT&T Stadium, BC Place, Levi’s Stadium, NRG Stadium, and SoFi Stadium – and three first-time hosts. The competition will kick off on June 14 with a 16-team group stage, followed by three rounds of Knockout Stage play. The Final, where the region’s champion will be crowned, will take place at NRG Stadium on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Just one year out from the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Concacaf Gold Cup will provide a highly competitive tournament for the region’s best teams and an opportunity for even more fans to engage with the sport at a pivotal time for its growth in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

2025 CONCACAF GOLD CUP QUALIFICATION

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage will include 16 teams—eight that have secured qualification through the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League, seven set to be determined after the 2025 Gold Cup Preliminary Round (Prelims), and Saudi Arabia (guest nation).

The eight Concacaf teams that qualified for the Gold Cup Group Stage are Canada, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

The Gold Cup Prelims feature 14 men’s national teams competing in seven matchups. Following the return leg matches, all taking place on Tuesday, March 25, the winner of each matchup will advance to the Gold Cup Group Stage.

Click here to see the full Prelims match schedule and details on how the matchups were determined.

2025 GOLD CUP DATES AND COMPETITION FORMAT

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup will begin with a 16-team Group Stage – four groups of four teams each. After round-robin play, between June 14-24, the four group winners and four runners-up (eight teams in total) will advance to the Knockout Stage.

The Knockout Stage will commence with the Quarterfinals on June 28 and 29, followed by the Semifinals on July 2, and the Final, where Concacaf’s new champion will be crowned, on Sunday, July 6.

Group Stage: June 14-24, 2025
Quarterfinals: June 28 and 29, 2025
Semifinals: July 2, 2025
Final: July 6, 2025

OFFICIAL DRAW
Concacaf will conduct the official draw for the 2025 Gold Cup on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7:00 pm ET. More details on the draw are available here.

Media Contacts:
Concacaf: media@concaf.org
SoFi Stadium: press@hollywoodparkca.com

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Cal South to Align with US Youth Soccer Standard & Return to Seasonal Year Registration

rjohnson — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:22:32 +0000

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Friday, March 21, 2025) – Cal South (California State Soccer Association – South) today officially announced that it will adopt the Seasonal Year age group formation cycle for registration of players beginning with the Spring 2026 season.

This decision follows US Youth Soccer’s recent announcement (on March 5th) to adopt registration based on the Seasonal Year as its standard. USYS selected its inaugural season for the new policy as Fall 2026-2027 (September 1 to August 31). Cal South has elected to go with Spring 2026 to begin implementation, thereby easing the transition for parents, players, coaches, and registrars ahead of the Fall 2026 season.

For the 2026-2027 seasonal year and beyond, Cal South will recognize the Seasonal Year age grouping method as occurring from September 1st through August 31st (as opposed to the Birth Year method or August 1st season currently offered). This will align all organizations with the National standard presented by the U.S. Soccer Federation, including US Club Soccer and AYSO.

The change ensures that all players, both competitive and recreational, have a greater opportunity to play soccer with their friends from school. The registration parameters will not change for Cal South players for the upcoming Fall 2025 season, which will continue to be based on Birth Year until the Spring 2026 season. The change will also not affect age requirements for the 2026 State Cup and National Cup competitions as they begin play before the Spring 2026 season.

Late in 2024, U.S. Soccer Federation released a policy which empowered member organizations to make their own registration choices for leagues and competitions that they sanction and/or run. Aligning with the Seasonal Year calendar is a return to a policy in place prior to a 2016 U.S. Soccer decision to move to Birth Year registration (January 1 – December 31). The change was made at that point in time in an effort to align with international soccer standards.

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Cal South will host an online webinar on April 9, 2025 at 7PM, open to the full membership, where staff members will outline the new policy and discuss how it will be worked back into Cal South’s registration system next spring…

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