Cape Breton and Quinte West opening ceremonies will welcome youth teams from across the nation

Cape Breton and Quinte West are gearing up their plans to host 44 youth teams across the 2024 Toyota National Championships at the U-17 Cup and U-15 Cup in October. The two host venues and their Local Organising Committees will kick off the week with their Official Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday 9 October.

So far, 42 of the 44 youth teams have qualified for either the U-17 Cup in Cape Breton or the U-15 Cup in Quinte West. The two youth competitions will feature 110 matches across four divisions with the complete schedule published at canadasoccer.com/competitions.

At Cape Breton, Canada Soccer’s U-17 Cup Opening Ceremony will take place at Centre 200 in Sydney on Wednesday evening after the first day of matches. All 22 teams will take part in this celebratory event featuring performances by local Indigenous artists Gerald Francis and the Stoney Bear Singers, inspiring speeches, as well as pizza and refreshments.

Alongside the U-17 Cup in Cape Breton, teams will have access to tickets for the award-winning Celtic Colours International Festival that runs 11 to 19 October. The Local Organising Committee has secured advance tickets for resale at cost for the “Thanksgivin’er” on Saturday 12 October as well as the “Celtic Cabaret” on Sunday 13 October (both shows take place at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre (19.30 each night).

“As you prepare for this exciting tournament, our Host Committee has worked diligently to ensure an amazing experience for all participants and guests,” wrote Co-Chairs Kristine MacLennan, Ken MacLean and Wil van Hal. “The event promises to be a highlight of the season, offering not only top-level competition but also a chance to explore one of the world’s most beautiful island destinations.”

Canada Soccer’s U-17 Cup will be hosted in Sydney and area, the unofficial capital of Cape Breton Island. This region is filled with plenty of restaurants, hotels, experiences and the most notable, world’s largest fiddle! The event will take place at Cape Breton University’s Ness Timmons Field, MacKinnon Field and Veterans Memorial Field in New Waterford and Open Hearth Park Steel Turf Field and Steelman’s Memorial Field in Sydney.

At Quinte West, Canada Soccer’s U-15 Cup Opening Ceremony will take place at Centennial Park on Wednesday morning in between scheduled matches. All 22 teams will take part in the ceremony which will include a parade with flag bearers, opening remarks from local dignitaries, and a special ceremonial ball drop in partnership with 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.

Alongside the U-15 Cup in Quinte West, local museums The National Air Force Museum of Canada as well as the Quinte West Museum of Natural History are both offering athletes and coaches free admission during the Toyota National Championships. Both sites will be open for booking through the Local Organising Committee from Wednesday through Sunday with local transportation offered as part of the offer.

“Hosting this prestigious event is a privilege for the City of Quinte West and we are committed to ensuring you have a memorable and enjoyable experience,” wrote the Local Organising Committee. “Throughout your stay, we encourage you to explore and enjoy all that our community has to offer. From waterfront views of the Bay of Quinte to beautiful parks to dining and shopping, there is much to see and do.”

Canada Soccer’s U-15 Cup will be held at Centennial Park. Centrally located in Trenton, Centennial Park is home to the Duncan McDonald Arena, the Bob Wannamaker Amphitheatre, a splash pad, a skatepark, sports fields, playgrounds, and the Quinte West Pop-ups. A paved waterfront path links the park to downtown Trenton, where you’ll find restaurants, cafes and shopping opportunities.

Canada Soccer’s Toyota National Championships are hosted each October across six divisions in three venues: the men’s Challenge Trophy and women’s Jubilee Trophy (adult competitions) in Surrey, British Columbia; the U-17 Cup in Cape Breton for boys and girls; the U-15 Cup in Quinte West for boys and girls.

As Canada Soccer’s largest national event featuring clubs from coast to coast, the Toyota National Championships have served as the nation’s primary amateur soccer competition for more than 100 years, with the men’s competition inaugurated in 1913, the youth competition inaugurated in 1966, and the women’s competition inaugurated in 1982. At all age levels, the Toyota National Championships provide a meaningful week-long soccer experience for host cities and participating teams, as well as the players, coaches, support staff, officials and volunteers.