Illinois Youth Soccer Association

Name

Illinois Youth Soccer Association

Legal name

Illinois Youth Soccer Association

Website

https://illinoisyouthsoccer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Illinois Youth Soccer Association is the official US Youth Soccer state association for Illinois, operating sanctioned cup competitions (State Cup, Presidents Cup, Illinois Cup), coaching education, referee programs, ODP, and youth development programs for member clubs, coaches, referees, and players statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Governance

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD), Youth & Junior Tournament Organizers (MPAKADAL), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Youth soccer governance
• State soccer association
• Coaching education programs
• Youth sports tournaments
• Player development pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tournament and Competition Fees: Registration fees for State Cup ($1,000 per team), Presidents Cup, and Illinois Cup ($825 per team). These fees cover event expenses including registration and referee fees for teams advancing to USYS Regional events.
2. Coaching Education Courses: Revenue from hosting US Soccer coaching license courses (D License, B License, C License, Grassroots courses) with registration fees charged to participants.
3. Membership and Registration: Fees collected from member clubs, coaches, referees, and players for participation in IYSA programs and competitions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Illinois Youth Soccer Association is a nonprofit state governing body that organizes and sanctions official youth soccer cup competitions (State Cup, Presidents Cup, Illinois Cup) and operates coaching education, referee certification, and player development programs including the Olympic Development Program (ODP). It serves as the sole sanctioned pathway in Illinois for advancing teams to US Youth Soccer Regional and National Championships.

Product overview

Illinois Youth Soccer Association is a non-profit organization operating a comprehensive youth soccer ecosystem in Illinois. The organization offers a multi-tiered competitive structure including the Illinois State Cup (the premier championship since 1966), the Presidents Cup (alternative pathway to national competition), and the Illinois Cup (in-state championship for all skill levels with Gold and Silver divisions). Beyond competitive tournaments, the association provides recreational leagues, the Olympic Development Program (ODP), coaching education courses (US Soccer Grassroots through B License and Club Technical Leadership), referee development programs, TOPSoccer (for players with disabilities), Soccer For Success, and college recruiting assistance through ID clinics. The association's programs and competitions are managed through integrations with SportsEngine (website and member services platform) and GotSport (tournament registration and event management). The organization also partners with Chelsea FC for professional training camps.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Illinois State Cup The most prestigious tournament in Illinois and official state championship of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Conducted since 1966 with champions advancing to US Youth Soccer National Championships.
• Illinois Presidents Cup State championship tournament providing teams an alternative to the State Cup with advancement opportunity to US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup competitions.
• Illinois Cup In-state championship tournament started in 2017, open to member travel and high-level rec teams. Offered in Gold and Silver levels providing championship opportunities for all skill levels.
• Illinois Olympic Development Program (ODP) Program providing children with the opportunity to reach their soccer potential through identification, training, and development by US Soccer licensed coaches.
• Coaching Education Programs Nationally recognized coaching certification courses including US Soccer Grassroots, D License, C License, B License, and Club Technical Leadership courses.
• Referee Development Program U.S. Soccer referee courses and resources for training and developing referees, including certification pathways and continuing education.
• Illinois TOPSoccer Program designed to teach soccer to children with disabilities, providing opportunities for participation regardless of ability level.
• Soccer For Success Program promoting youth soccer participation and healthy lifestyles in communities.
• Premier Club Accreditation Program Program recognizing clubs demonstrating excellence in player development, coaching education, and organizational standards.
• IYSA College ID Clinics College recruiting assistance program including ID clinics to help players get noticed by collegiate coaches.
• Annual Awards Banquet Annual recognition event honoring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and contributors to youth soccer in Illinois.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43 Midwest Presidents Cup titles and 21 National Presidents Cup championships since 2009
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• New BalancemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Balance is a sponsor of Illinois Youth Soccer, appearing on the website footer and promotional materials. The partnership provides brand visibility across IYSA communications and events.
• Prime (Drink Prime)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrime (drinkprime.com) is a sponsor advertising on the IYSA website homepage.
• Chicago FiremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Fire is a professional soccer team partner appearing on the IYSA website links and sponsors section. The partnership provides visibility and potential pathway connections for youth players.
• Chicago Red StarsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago Red Stars women's professional soccer team is listed as a partner link on IYSA website, providing connections to professional soccer pathways for youth players.
• GotSportcoreTechnology or IntegrationGotSport is the technology platform used by IYSA for event registration, roster management,GotSport is the technology platform used by IYSA for event registration, roster management, match scheduling, and tournament operations across all cup competitions.
• US Soccer FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYSA operates as the official US Youth Soccer state association, conducting US Soccer-licensed coaching education courses and US Youth Soccer National Championship Series qualifiers at the state level.
• US Youth SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYSA is the official state association for US Youth Soccer, providing pathways to USYS Regional Championships and National Championships for qualifying Illinois teams.
• US Soccer FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUS Soccer Foundation is listed as a partner link on IYSA website, supporting soccer development initiatives.
• Mercyhealth Sportscore Two (Rockford)coreOthersMercyhealth Sportscore Two in Rockford/Loves Park is the primary venue for IYSA cup competitions, hosting group play, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals for State Cup, Presidents Cup, and Illinois Cup.
• NCSA (NCSA Sports)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCSA is a college recruiting platform that partners with IYSA to provide webinars and resources for student-athlete recruitment and college commitments.
• RoundGlass LivingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoundGlass Living is a wellbeing platform partnered with Illinois Youth Soccer to champion holistic wellbeing for players, as evidenced by sponsored homepage content and event banners.
• SportsEnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationSportsEngine provides the Sports Relationship Management (SRM) software platform powering the IYSA website, event calendar, and member services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO): National nonprofit youth soccer organization providing recreational and competitive programming. Competes with IYSA for Illinois families and clubs, particularly at the recreational tier.
• US Youth Soccer (USYS): National governing body under which IYSA operates. Sets competition rules, licensing, and championship pathways that define IYSA's product offering.
• US Club Soccer: National alternative to US Youth Soccer that sanctions leagues, cups, and player-development pathways — competes for the same clubs, coaches, and players as IYSA.
• Amateur Athletic Union (AAU): Multi-sport national nonprofit governing body that sanctions youth sports including soccer. Competes for the same Illinois youth athletes, coaches, and families.

Emerging players

• Elite Clubs National League (ECNL): Nationwide competitive league for elite youth soccer clubs. Increasingly competes with IYSA's State/Presidents Cup for top-tier Illinois clubs and players.
• National Premier Leagues (NPL): US Club Soccer's competitive league structure providing an alternative national pathway; overlaps with IYSA's competitive club market in Illinois.

Direct peers

• North Texas Youth Soccer Association: High-performing state association with strong competitive results in USYS national cups, operating a comparable suite of tournaments, ODP, and coach licensing programs.
• Cal North Youth Soccer Association: Another large US Youth Soccer state association running parallel State Cup, Presidents Cup, and recreational programs. Directly comparable in role, structure, and revenue model to IYSA.
• Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: State-level US Youth Soccer affiliate serving a large metropolitan area with a similar mix of competitive cups, ODP, coaching education, and recreational programming.

Others

• Little League Baseball and Softball: Comparable nonprofit youth-sport governing-body model — district/state/local structure, membership dues, sanctioned tournaments, and similar reliance on volunteers and sponsors. Useful as a structural comparator for nonprofit youth-sports governance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ILYOUTHSOCCER
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcd6ymnKI-Ex5nKxtpUL8Zg
• Facebookfacebook.com/illinoisyouthsoccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/illinoisyouthsoccer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois Youth Soccer Association