According to PR Newswire, Budweiser and Major League Soccer (MLS), is offering amateur players the chance to live their soccer dreams in the Budweiser Cup. Teams will compete in six-on-six matches throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Argentina to play against winning squads from around the world.
The 2011 Budweiser cup has expanded from 16 to 19 cities and started in Santa Ana, California on Saturday, April 30th. It will conclude in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 29th. Each local tournament will host up to 64 teams, with the two finalists from each city receiving cash prizes and a spot in the championship on Saturday, June 11, prior to the LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC game at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The championship team will receive a trip to Argentina to represent the United States in the Global Beer Championships tournament held at the La Bombonera stadium.
Participants in the finals will also experience the comforts of being soccer stars, including round-trip airfare to Argentina, first-class hotel accommodations and tickets to two matches to the biggest soccer tournament in South America.
“By partnering with Major League Soccer to present the Budweiser Cup, we have the opportunity to provide soccer’s passionate fans and amateur players a chance to compete in and experience one of the world’s premier soccer events in person,” said Mark Wright, vice president, media, sports and entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. “The tournament also reinforces Budweiser’s commitment to advancing the sport of soccer by bringing the nation’s top amateur players to the global stage to compete against teams from across the world.”
Registration for the tournaments is open until 64 teams has been reached for each tournament. Teams interested in registering can call 1-800-609-3414 or visit www.MLSCopaBudweiser.com. The registration fee is $100 per team, and all players will receive an adidas soccer jersey. Local tournament prizes include $1,000 for first place teams and $500 for second place teams, as well as trophies and medals.
Major League Soccer will donate a percentage of the registration fees to local Hispanic charities in each tournament city that are currently working with Anheuser-Busch and its local wholesalers.
