BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest's popular SoccerFest festival will return to SteelStacks for the 2024 Copa América, or America's Cup.
The multi-day festival also will have a youth clinic, tournaments and other soccer-related activities.
During the 48th Copa América, which runs June 20 to July 14, ArtsQuest said it will show each of the U.S. men’s national team group stage games on a jumbo screen on the SteelStacks campus.
It will start with a watch party at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 23, for the game between the U.S. and Bolivia.
ArtsQuest also will partner with the Lehigh Valley United FC United Soccer League to hold a youth clinic and 3-on-3 tournaments as part of the festivities. There will be a charge for admission.
Information on how to register for both clinics and tournaments will be released in early spring.
ArtsQuest said it once again will apply to be an official viewing party of FIFA World Cup 2026.
'Expecting a big turnout'
"ArtsQuest has been hosting viewing parties at SteelStacks since 2014 and we’re thrilled to once again be offering the same for Copa América, bringing soccer fans from diverse backgrounds along with youth who are developing a passion for the sport together on our campus,” ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel said in a news release.
Added Lehigh Valley United Executive Director Greg Ramos: “We are excited to return to the ArtsQuest campus for Copa América this summer, and we look forward to giving the youth of Eastern PA this fun opportunity to participate in our soccer clinics and tournaments."
Ramos said that last year, during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, its girls tournaments sold out, "and we are expecting a big turnout again this summer.”
Beyond this summer, Mosel said plans are in the works for the 2026 World Cup.
That SoccerFest, he said, would "include more activations, youth soccer tournaments and clinics, visual arts experiences and activities, DJs and live music, cuisine from a variety of cultures, along with the largest viewing screen to date on this campus.”
SoccerFest schedule
The lineup for 2024 SoccerFest’s viewing and event schedule:
• 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23 — Lehigh Valley United Youth Clinics
• 6 p.m. June 23 — Watch Party, U.S. vs. Bolivia.
• 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27 — Watch Party, U.S. vs. Panama.
• 5 p.m. Monday, July 1 — Lehigh Valley United 3-on-3 Youth Tournaments
• 9 p.m. July 1 — Watch Party, U.S. vs. Uruguay.
If the U.S. advances beyond pool play, ArtsQuest will continue to show remaining games up through the finals.
Interested partners, vendors or youth soccer clubs can reach out to ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming Ryan Hill at rhill@artsquest.org.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the event or others held by ArtsQuest can visit its website.
