Cary accepts state grant to keep TST tournament for four years and funds Cary Cup

The Cary Town Council approved staff’s recommendation to recognize and allocate Department of Commerce grant reimbursements to secure TST — an international small‑sided soccer tournament — and to host the Cary Cup youth tournament over a four‑year commitment.

Director John Collins told the council that North Carolina awarded a four‑year reimbursement grant totaling $6.8 million to help keep TST in the state and to support related local programming. For the current fiscal year staff recommended recognizing $1,472,000 in grant revenue (up to $1,000,000 for TST qualifying expenses and up to $472,000 for the Cary Cup). Council adopted the recommendation unanimously.

Why this matters: WakeMed Soccer Park and Cary’s field network have been anchors for the event. Staff presented projected economic impact growth and attendance gains tied to hosting the tournaments. Council members highlighted the economic benefit and the variety of community engagement opportunities the tournaments bring.

What the grant covers: The grant reimburses eligible expenses spent with North Carolina companies and organizations; in year one the reimbursement cap is $1,472,000 across tournament partners (TST and Cary event-related costs) with larger eligible caps in subsequent years to reflect cost escalation.

Next steps: Staff will formally accept the grant revenues, execute required agreements and reimburse qualifying event expenses in line with Department of Commerce rules; the town will remain the host and convener for the Cary Cup youth event and continue coordination with regional partners.

Quote: "We were awarded a $6,800,000 grant over the next four years to keep TST here in North Carolina," PRCR Director John Collins said. "This grant put us over the edge to resecure TST."

The motion to adopt staff’s recommendation passed unanimously.