In North Las Vegas’ Sandstone Ridge Park, the 700th mini-pitch for the U.S. Soccer Foundation was just inaugurated.
This initiative is a major step toward the Foundation’s objective of building 1,000 new mini-pitches and involving millions of youth in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup 26TM. It also marks the completion of a $70 million social impact investment in underserved communities. In collaboration with the City of North Las Vegas and soccer great Tim Howard, an NBC sports pundit and former USMNT goalkeeper, the 700th mini-pitch will open.
Mini-pitches are tiny, specially designed hard-court areas that are ideal for pick-up and organized soccer matches. Mini-pitches are a great way to boost community spirit, enhance safety perceptions, and extend soccer and physical activity time in metropolitan areas and other communities where space is limited.
“While soccer is having its moment in the spotlight in the lead-up to the 2026 Men’s World Cup, we want millions of kids to have their moment, too,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
Survey information gathered by the U.S. The Soccer Foundation demonstrates the several advantages mini-pitches offer the neighborhood:
· A full 99% of respondents claim that the installation of a mini-pitch has increased community activity.
· 98% of people claim that the installation of a mini-pitch has made their community feel safer.
96% of respondents claim that anyone can access their mini-pitch.
· 91% claim that their mini-pitch acts as a center for the community.
In an era where the game’s appeal is rising as it approaches 2026, mini-pitches are also helping communities have easier access to the benefits of the world’s most popular sport and its lifetime advantages. Communities indicate that five times more soccer is played at locations following the implementation of a mini-pitch, with over 30% of mini-pitch users being new to the sport.
