TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson's biggest youth soccer tournament, the Fort Lowell Shootout, is hosting 375 teams this year; the largest number of teams its had in its 30 year history.
"In 1990, a handful of local teams, now growing into more than 375 teams. All over the United States including the country of Mexico," said Fort Lowell Shootout executive director, Kat Jackson.
Aside from the number of players on each of the teams, the shootout brings in their parents, extended family and local spectators.
"So that equates to thousands of hotels rooms, going out to dinner, going out to local attractions, so its estimated to bring in about $4 million to the Tucson economy in one weekend," said Jackson.
And with that, Tucson's tourism season is able to kick off in the name of soccer.
"Its really great because we get to welcome teams from all over. They get to see Tucson, they get to experience Tucson. And with Kino's new expansion its really given us the ability to keep everything centrally located," said Jackson.
The tournament continues through Sunday, Jan. 19.
