Washington DC – The U.S. Soccer Foundation recently opened its 700th mini-pitch at Sandstone Ridge Park in north Las Vegas.
This project represents an important milestone in the Foundation's aim to create 1,000 new mini-pitches and engage millions of young people on the path to FIFA World Cup 26™. Additionally, a total of $70 million in social impact investments were made to under-resourced communities, dated. The 700th mini-pitch will be opened in partnership with soccer legend, NBC Sports analyst and former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard and the City of North Las Vegas.
A mini pitch is a small customized hard court surface that is perfect for both organized soccer and pickup games. Ideal for urban areas and other communities where space is at a premium, mini pitches increase time for soccer and physical activity, improve community perceptions of safety, and strengthen communities.
Ed Foster-Simeon, president and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, said: “As soccer enters a moment of spotlight as we prepare for the 2026 Men's World Cup, we have millions of “We want people and children to enjoy that moment,” he said. “Today marks a major milestone in ensuring our game has a positive outcome for young people living in under-resourced communities. With the opening of our 700th mini-pitch, we Hundreds of thousands of young people who otherwise would not have had the opportunity are now able to play safely and enjoy the many health and youth development benefits that soccer provides.”
Research data collected by the U.S. Soccer Foundation shows that mini-pitches provide many benefits to local communities.
· 99% said people in their community became more active after installing a mini-pitch.
· 98% said their community felt safer after installing mini-pitches.
· 96% say mini pitches are available to everyone.
· 91% say their mini-pitch serves as a community hub.
Minipitch is also bringing the world’s most popular sport and its lifelong benefits closer to local communities as the game grows in popularity as we head into 2026. More than 30% of Mini Pitch users are participating in football or the community for the first time. After the installation of the mini-pitch, he reported that five times as much soccer was being played at the site.
Since the first mini-pitch was installed in 2015, leading companies, organizations, and athletes have partnered with the Foundation to install mini-pitches in underserved communities across the country. Key supporters of this effort include Adidas, DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, Target, Major League Soccer, Musco Lighting, and Griffin Catalyst, a public engagement initiative from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin.
This pitch represents the second project Tim Howard has funded through the Tim Howard Foundation, but other notable athletes have also supported the Foundation, creating, funding and naming their 'signature' mini-pitch. We are renting it out. These athletes include Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta, Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan, Kelli O'Hara, and more. The Foundation has also set up more than 20 of her mini-pitches in communities important to the organization and its members, along with Black Players for Change and the Black Women's Player Collective.
In 2018, Musco Lighting collaborated with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to design a new and enhanced Mini-Pitch System™. The system, currently used for all of the Foundation's mini-pitch projects, includes lighting to increase the amount of time children and adults use the space, benches to watch the play unfold, ADA-compliant access, and equipment. Equipped with lockable storage area.
The Foundation's Mini Pitches can be found in hundreds of communities across the country. Mini-Pitches in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles are also venues for the Foundation's Just Ball League, creating opportunities for league play at the neighborhood level and prioritizing fun, participation, and a sense of belonging. A hyper-local approach reduces costs by reducing the need for transportation, which is a major barrier to participation in sport for children in under-resourced areas. Currently, he has more than 15,000 young people participating in the league across the three cities.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is leading a national legacy effort to ensure that FIFA World Cup 26™ has a positive social impact for years before and after the tournament, working with several host cities to Acts as an official legacy strategic partner for 26 companies. New York, New Jersey™.
To find a mini-pitch near you, check out the U.S. Soccer Foundation's mini-pitch map. For more information about mini-pitch, visit https://ussoccerfoundation.org/programs/safe-places-to-play/.
