BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The popular SoccerFest festival will return to SteelStacks for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ArtsQuest announced Wednesday.
SoccerFest will kick off with the ArtsQuest and Lehigh Valley United Girls’ 3-on-3 Tournament at 5:30 p.m. July 21 at PNC Plaza. It will be a ticketed event.
- ArtsQuest's popular SoccerFest will return this year, starting with a viewing party at PNC Plaza for the United States vs. Vietnam FIFA World Cup game at 9 p.m. July 21
- The game will be preceded by a girls' 3-on-3 tournament at PNC Plaza
- SoccerFest will include viewing parties for at least three games
After the tournament, there will be a viewing of the United States vs. Vietnam FIFA World Cup game, beginning at 9 p.m.
There also will be a viewing party at PNC Plaza. Viewing parties are free and there will be food and beverages available to buy.
“Putting the USWNT on big screens reflects the larger-than-life status these players have with the children of the Lehigh Valley and the rest of the country.”ArtsQuest Senior Programming Officer Ryan Hill
“We’re really excited to produce these events highlighting one corner of the exponential growth women’s sports has seen in recent years,” ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill said.
“Putting the USWNT on big screens reflects the larger-than-life status these players have with the children of the Lehigh Valley and the rest of the country.”
Other viewing opportunities
Viewing at Town Square will continue at 9 p.m. July 26 with the United States vs. Netherlands
Before that match, a Youth Soccer Clinic will be held by Lehigh University Women’s Soccer Team. This clinic is free, but you must register.
There also will be a viewing party for the USWNT vs. Netherlands match at 9 p.m.
Both events are free and food and beverages will be available to buy.
ArtsQuest said there will be a handful of other Youth Soccer Clinics held by Lehigh University throughout SoccerFest, with details to come.
To wrap up SoccerFest, there will be a final viewing party at 6 a.m. Aug. 20, to watch World Cup Final in the Frank Bank Alehouse Cinema.
“The ever-growing interest and support of soccer in our region causes excitement in our community when the World Cup comes around."ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel
“ArtsQuest has been hosting one of the largest licensed FIFA viewing parties on the east coast for the Men’s and Women’s World Cups since 2014, bringing diverse soccer fans to the SteelStacks Campus and expanding our vision of providing access to the arts," ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel said.
“The ever-growing interest and support of soccer in our region causes excitement in our community when the World Cup comes around. We can’t wait to see soccer fans coming back to SteelStacks to watch the U.S. Women’s National team in their quest to repeat as World Cup champions for the third straight time.”
3-on-3 tournament detail
To participate in the 3-on-3 tournament, girls must have been born 2009-16. An adult must buy a registration ($99 per team). Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. July 16; details on where to register are to be available soon.
The brackets will be split up by birth year and each team must have a minimum of three and a maximum of six players. Each game will last 15 minutes, and each team will play at least three games.
For more information, go to ArtsQuest.org or call Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill at rhill@artsquest.org with any questions related to the tournament.
Volunteers also are needed; for details go to www.artsquest.org/support/volunteer.
