A soccer tournament means more than just busy roads.  It mean big revenue for the city. The Dakota Gold Soccer Tournament has 183 teams registered this year, and 150 of those are from out of town.

It will be a weekend of nets, cleats, and plenty of cheering.   The Dakota Gold Soccer tournament is in it's 21st year. And players from around the Midwest are heading to Sioux Falls in record numbers. 

Kim Erickson is the tournament director and says, " We're thinking that with regionals coming to town next year maybe some of the teams are wanting to check out fields and facilities." 

More than 3,000 soccer players from the surrounding states and even Canada are heading to the area to compete for a trophy, but not at a cheap price. A team from Winnepeg has a budget of $12,000 for tournaments and their trip down from Canada for the weekend will cost them more than half that budget just for the players.

Hugh Swan is the Coach for the Candian team and says, "We've got 18 players and 16 of those parents have come down with us." 

Parent's who have to pay for their own rooms, gas, and food. 

The Convention and Visitors Bureau says that with all the influx of players and their families Sioux Falls is likely to see $1.8 million spent this weekend through hotel stays, restaurants, and entertainment.
While the trip down may be an expensive journey...some think it's worth every dollar. 

Swan says, "For us to get the competition that we need - to prep for nationals, we need to bring the girls to tournaments such as these."

That's why the team from Canada says they will make the 8 hour journey south for a soccer tournament next year despite the cost.

It's the first year that the tournament has had to move to separate fields. The tournament will be held at Tomar, Yankton Trails, and the Harrisburg Park in Sioux Falls. Cost is $5 for the weekend.