AYSO PLAY! Celebrates Two Years of Expanding Access to Youth Soccer Nationwide

TORRANCE, CA, UNITED STATES, February 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) today announced the two-year anniversary of AYSO PLAY!, a national initiative designed to expand access to high-quality, inclusive soccer programming for children in communities across the United States.

Since its launch, AYSO PLAY! has experienced rapid growth and measurable impact, serving 63,253 players across 74 communities in 19 cities and markets nationwide. The program has delivered soccer experiences at 251 facilities and playing locations while operating 715 individual programs, including 57 AYSO PLAY! programs Camps and 42 partnerships with school districts and school networks supporting in-school and after-school programming.

“AYSO PLAY! reflects our mission in action—bringing the game to children who may not otherwise have access to organized soccer,” said Jenni Luke, National Executive Director, AYSO. “As the United States prepares to host the World Cup, we have a responsibility to ensure the excitement around the sport translates into meaningful, lasting opportunities at the community level.”

In addition to player participation, AYSO PLAY! has invested in long-term sustainability by training 155 new AYSO coaches and securing more than $1 million in sponsorship and grant funding to support continued program expansion and community engagement.

“The scale and diversity of this program in just two years speaks to both the demand and the dedication behind it,” said Dan Howald, Senior Director of Program Implementation for AYSO PLAY!. “From school-based programs to camps and community partnerships, AYSO PLAY! is meeting families where they are and creating welcoming entry points into the game.”

The success of AYSO PLAY! reflects close collaboration across the AYSO ecosystem, including national leadership, local Section, Area, and Region volunteers, and strategic partners aligned around growing the game responsibly and equitably.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, AYSO PLAY! represents a foundational investment in the future of American soccer—helping convert global attention into local opportunity and ensuring that access to the game extends well beyond a single moment on the world stage.

For more information about AYSO PLAY!, visit ayso.org/play

Frederick Heim
AYSO
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AYSO PLAY! Turns Two