Tennessee State Soccer Association

What Tennessee State Soccer Association does

Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) is the official US Youth Soccer state association for Tennessee, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1976 and headquartered in Murfreesboro. The organization governs competitive and recreational youth soccer across the state, operating league and championship competition (Tennessee State League with four divisions aligned to US Youth Soccer naming conventions, the State Cup dating to 1976, Juniors Development League, and Friendship Cup), elite player development through the Olympic Development Program, inclusion programming via TOPSoccer, and ancillary services in coaching education, referee training, and tournament sanctioning. TSSA is funded through tiered annual club membership fees (B/C/D-E levels), per-player registration fees across approximately 65,000 registered youth and adult participants, corporate sponsorships led by Publix and Wendy's, and tournament/event revenue including the Nashville Futsal Invitational.

Name

Tennessee State Soccer Association

Legal name

Tennessee State Soccer Association

Website

https://tnsoccer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Federation Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Compliance, Governance & Integrity Services (Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, Match Integrity) (MPAKAKAM), Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

Keywords

• Soccer governance
• Youth soccer leagues
• Amateur soccer association
• Referee training
• Coaching education

Headquarters

HQ city

Murfreesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Registration Fees: TSSA generates revenue through annual membership fees from its 100+ member clubs. Clubs register teams and players through the organization and pay associated fees based on club classification levels (B, C, D-E levels).
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Multiple corporate sponsors provide financial support including Publix (presenting sponsor of State League and State Cup), Wendy's (official statewide partner), and others. Sponsor logos and partnerships are displayed prominently on the website and at events.
3. Event Revenues: TSSA organizes tournaments including State Cup, Friendship Cup, and ODP events that generate revenue through registration fees. The Nashville Futsal Invitational in 2024 drew 92 teams with economic impact to the local community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tennessee State Soccer Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1976 that governs amateur soccer across Tennessee. It sanctions and operates competitive leagues, tournaments, and player development programs through 100+ member clubs serving roughly 50,000 youth and 5,000 adult players and 3,500 referees. It also administers coaching education, referee certification, and is the state-level body affiliated with U.S. Soccer.

Product overview

Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) state soccer governing body that operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the Tennessee State League (a four-division competitive league system), State Cup (annual championship tournament since 1976), Juniors Development League (JDL) for youth development, Friendship Cup (recreational festival), and the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for elite player pathways. Supporting services include TOPSoccer (disability inclusion program), Adult Soccer, Winter indoor leagues, coaching education, referee training, and tournament sanctioning. The association connects member clubs through PlayMetrics membership management and organizes competitions across four divisions aligned with US Youth Soccer naming conventions (National Championship Series, President's Cup, Governor's Cup, Mayor's Cup).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tennessee State League (TSL) State-level competitive soccer league organized and operated by TSSA for member clubs and their players across Tennessee.
• State Cup Annual knockout cup competition run by TSSA for affiliated youth and adult member clubs.
• Juniors Development League (JDL) Development-focused league providing competitive play opportunities for junior soccer players in Tennessee.
• Friendship Cup Annual friendly cup competition organized for member clubs.
• Olympic Development Program (ODP) Player identification and talent development program aligned with the U.S. Soccer Olympic Development Program pathway.
• TOPSoccer Inclusive soccer program serving players with physical and intellectual disabilities.
• Adult Soccer Program Leagues, cups, and competitions for approximately 5,000 adult amateur soccer players in Tennessee.
• Coaching Education Coaching licensing and education courses delivered under U.S. Soccer's coaching framework for member coaches.
• Referee Training Certification courses and continuing education for the state's approximately 3,500 referees.
• Sanctioned Tournaments Tournament sanctioning and oversight service that authorizes and regulates competitive soccer tournaments in Tennessee.
• NewComp League Competitive league administered by TSSA as the operator for the Mid-Atlantic District 4 NewComp League.
• TSSA Winter Goals Play Date Seasonal player development play-date event organized by TSSA during the winter season.

Quantifiable outcome

• TSSA has maintained steady growth with four consecutive years of rising registrations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• White House Sport PsychologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026White House Sport Psychology is TSSA's Official Sport Psychology and Mental Health Partner. They provide mental health support, sport psychology services, training programs, and resources for soccer athletes, coaches, clubs, and families across Tennessee. Founded by Tim White in 2014.
• Kwik GoalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2025Kwik Goal is TSSA's Official Soccer Goal and Equipment Provider. The partnership aims to improve field safety and performance while supporting development of players, coaches, and clubs. Kwik Goal is the official goal and field equipment supplier to U.S. Soccer.
• NewComp League (US Youth Soccer/US Club Soccer)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2025TSSA was selected as a league operator for NewComp, a new competition launched by US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer. TSSA oversees Mid-Atlantic District 4. NewComp serves 10,000 teams and 150,000+ players nationwide across eight conferences.
• Publix Super MarketscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2025Publix is the presenting sponsor of the Tennessee State League and TSSA State Cup. The partnership originated in 2009 and has been renewed multiple times. Publix provides supplies that serve 30% of event budgets. Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the US with nearly 1,400 locations including 59 in Tennessee.
• Wendy'scoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 March 2024Wendy's is an Official Statewide Partner of TSSA. They are presenting sponsor of the Tennessee Spring Soccer Season Kickoff, provide special offers for TSSA member families at local Wendy's locations, partner with local TSSA clubs at events, and are on-site at TSSA State Cups, ODP competitions, and other events for activation and sampling.
• PRIME HydrationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPRIME Hydration is a sponsor visible on the TSSA website with logo placement. They provide complimentary drinks at tournaments such as the Nashville Futsal Invitational.
• GANI GroupstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGANI Group provides hands-on operational support as TSSA's trusted project management partner. They developed and implemented a custom project management system supporting TSSA's internal staff across tournaments, player development, club engagement, coaching education, ODP, and state leagues. Facilitated strategy sessions with TSSA's 10-person staff.
• Refine SoccerstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefine Soccer provides technology-driven technical training for Tennessee ODP athletes. Led by current and former professional players, they deliver training designed to sharpen skills and measure progress at every stage. Partnership creates an environment challenging athletes technically, physically, and mentally.
• Footie FitstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootie Fit is a soccer-specific performance lab in Franklin providing speed, agility, and durability training for Tennessee ODP athletes. Founded by Zlatko Hundur, they blend baseline testing with targeted strength, explosiveness, and endurance training customized to position and season.
• Futsal Factory AcademystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSSA partnered with Futsal Factory Academy to host the Nashville Futsal Invitational in Franklin, Tennessee. The inaugural event drew 92 teams to capacity with 20 more on a waiting list. Over 1,000 players and 3,000 spectators attended, generating a 65% increase in local business revenue.
• US Youth SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSSA is the official state association for US Youth Soccer in Tennessee. USYS provides the national framework for state championships, regional competitions, and national events that TSSA teams advance through.
• US Soccer FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSSA operates under the governance framework of the U.S. Soccer Federation. U.S. Soccer sets policies including the Referee Abuse Prevention Policy and provides pathways through the national player development system.
• Nashville SCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNashville SC offers TSSA member families special ticket deals including free tickets for registered players and discounts for family members. Part of the 2nd annual program in 2026 season.
• United States Consortium of State Associations (USCSA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSSA is a founding member of USCSA, established in early 2024 to create a network of state associations. USCSA represents 16 state associations and over 900,000 athletes. Hans Hobson serves as USCSA Sponsorship Chair.
• WAGS (Women and Girls in Soccer)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAGS is a 50-year-old charitable organization dedicated to empowering girls and women through soccer. Partnered with USCSA to launch the first-ever All-Female U.S. Soccer National B License Course for youth soccer coaches.
• Soccer VillageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSoccer Village logo appears on sponsor page. They sponsor the Administrator of the Year award at TSSA events.
• DICK'S Sporting GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDICK'S Sporting Goods logo appears on TSSA website as a sponsor.
• NCSAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCSA logo appears on sponsor page as a recruiting and networking platform for student athletes.
• Pinnacle Financial PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPinnacle Financial Partners logo appears on sponsor page. They sponsor the TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SAY Soccer (Soccer Association for Youth): SAY Soccer is a national youth soccer organization with area-based affiliates providing recreational and competitive programming. It competes with USYS state associations including TSSA for the same youth-player market in Tennessee and similar geographies.
• US Club Soccer: US Club Soccer is a national soccer organization that runs parallel leagues and competitions to US Youth Soccer, including the co-launched NewComp league. TSSA competes and partners with US Club Soccer, making it the most direct competitive counterpart for player, club, and league share.
• Georgia Soccer: Georgia Soccer is the USYS state association for Georgia, operating a comparable state cup, league, and ODP program stack. The neighboring-state footprint, USYS affiliation, and similar member-club model make it a direct operating peer for benchmarking.
• American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO): AYSO is a national youth soccer organization structured around regional chapters, offering a parallel model of recreational and competitive programming. TSSA competes for the same Tennessee youth-player pool and shares the same coaching-education, referee-certification, and volunteer-based delivery model.
• North Carolina Youth Soccer Association: NCYSA is the USYS state association for North Carolina and operates the same suite of state cup, league, ODP, and member services as TSSA. It is one of the closest comparables on geography, member-club structure, and competitive pathway design.
• Cal South (US Youth Soccer State Association): Cal South is a fellow US Youth Soccer state association governing youth soccer in Southern California. Like TSSA, it runs state cups, leagues, ODP, coaching education, and referee programs under the same USYS governance framework, making the operating model, revenue mix, and member-services stack directly comparable.

Others

• US Lacrosse: US Lacrosse operates a national federation with state and regional chapters delivering youth programming, coach and official training, and national championship pathways. It mirrors TSSA's federation-to-club service stack in a different sport, making it a useful structural analog for governance and member-services benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• US Youth Soccer: US Youth Soccer is the national federation of state youth soccer associations and TSSA's parent body. It sets national competition pathways, governs State Cup progression to regionals and nationals, and provides the institutional framework within which TSSA operates.
• U.S. Soccer Federation: U.S. Soccer is the national governing body for soccer in the United States and the ultimate authority over TSSA's policy environment, including the Referee Abuse Prevention Policy and player-development pathways. It operates at a broader national scope than TSSA's state-level focus.

Regional players

• Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA): TSSAA is the statewide governing body for high school athletics in Tennessee. While it governs scholastic rather than club soccer, it is the most direct structural peer within the same state — sharing the same member-school/club governance model, state championship framework, and Board-led operating structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/usyouthsoccer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@usyouthsoccer/about
• Facebookfacebook.com/USYouthSoccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/usyouthsoccer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tennessee-state-soccer-assn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tennessee State Soccer Association