SHOWCASE GUIDE
Complete Guide to College Soccer Showcases: Top 10 for Boys & Girls by Region (2026)
🎯 Choose the Right Showcases for Maximum ROI
Not all showcases are created equal. Learn which events deliver the best college recruiting exposure for your investment, organized by region and gender—so you're not wasting $800+ per event on the wrong showcases.
Introduction: The Showcase Investment Reality
College soccer showcases are marketed as essential recruiting tools—pay the fee, show up, get recruited. But here's the reality most families discover too late: most players attend 3-5 showcases at $400-$800 each ($1,200-$4,000) before getting meaningful coach interest.
The showcase industry generates over $50 million annually, with hundreds of events competing for your dollars. Some deliver genuine value with 200+ college coaches attending. Others are glorified tournaments with minimal recruiting impact. The difference between choosing strategically versus randomly can mean $2,000+ in savings and significantly better recruiting results.
This guide breaks down the top 10 showcases for boys and top 10 for girls, organized by region, with honest assessments of costs, coach attendance, and which players should attend which events. Whether you're in California dreaming of ACC schools or in North Carolina targeting PAC-12 programs, you'll know exactly which showcases deserve your investment.
💰 The Showcase Cost Reality
Typical showcase investment per event:
- Registration: $300-$800 per player
- Travel: $200-$800 (hotel, flights, gas)
- Food: $100-$200 (3-4 days)
- Time Investment: 3-4 days (parents missing work)
- Total Per Event: $600-$1,800
- Annual Investment (3-4 showcases): $1,800-$7,200
Critical Question: Are you choosing showcases strategically, or just registering for whatever your club recommends?
What Makes a Showcase Worth Attending?
Showcase Evaluation Criteria
| Factor | Elite Tier | High Value | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach Attendance | 200+ college coaches | 100-200 coaches | Under 75 coaches |
| Division Mix | D1, D2, D3, NAIA represented | Primarily D1 & D2 | Limited division variety |
| Geographic Diversity | National + regional coaches | Strong regional presence | Mostly local coaches |
| Schedule Format | 3-4 games over 3-4 days | 3 games over 2-3 days | 2 games or less |
| Player-to-Coach Ratio | Under 15:1 | 15-20:1 | Over 20:1 |
| Recruiting Tools | Digital profiles, coach matching | Basic roster distribution | Limited distribution |
| Track Record | 10+ years, proven commitments | 5+ years, solid reputation | New or inconsistent |
⚠️ Showcase Red Flags
- Vague Coach Numbers: "Hundreds of coaches" without specifics
- No Division Breakdown: Doesn't list which schools attend
- Pay-to-Coach Access: Extra fees to contact coaches
- Limited Game Guarantee: Only 2 games for $500+
- No Refund Policy: Can't get money back if injured
- Unverified Testimonials: No specific commitment data
Top 10 Showcases for Boys Soccer (By Region)
National Elite Showcases (Boys)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. MLS NEXT Flex ELITE | Various locations (CA, FL, TX, NV) | $595-$795 |
|
When: Multiple dates (Fall, Winter, Spring) Coaches: 200-300+ (All D1/D2/D3) Best For: Elite boys targeting D1 programs, MLS academy-level talent Format: 3-4 games over 3 days, digital profiles Website: mlsnext.com |
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| 2. IMG Academy National Showcase ELITE | Bradenton, FL | $750-$850 |
|
When: December (Winter Break) Coaches: 250+ (Heavy D1 presence) Best For: Top-tier boys seeking elite exposure Format: 4 games over 4 days, world-class facilities Website: imgacademy.com |
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| 3. Jefferson Cup ELITE | Richmond, VA | $600-$700 |
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When: March (Spring Break) Coaches: 200+ (ACC, Big Ten, SEC heavy) Best For: East Coast players, all division levels Format: 3-4 games, showcase + tournament Website: jeffersoncup.com |
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Eastern Region Showcases (Boys)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4. CASL Showcase HIGH VALUE | Raleigh-Durham, NC | $495-$595 |
|
When: November Coaches: 150+ (Strong ACC, Big South, CAA) Best For: Southeast boys, D1-D3 targets Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: caslsoccer.org |
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| 5. Players College Showcase HIGH VALUE | New Jersey | $475-$575 |
|
When: June, November Coaches: 125+ (Northeast D1, D2, D3) Best For: Northeast boys targeting regional programs Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: playerscollege.com |
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Western Region Showcases (Boys)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 6. Surf Cup College Showcase ELITE | San Diego, CA | $700-$800 |
|
When: July/August Coaches: 250+ (PAC-12, WCC, Mountain West) Best For: West Coast elite boys Format: 4 games over 4 days, beach town atmosphere Website: surfcup.org |
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| 7. Las Vegas Mayor's Cup International Showcase HIGH VALUE | Las Vegas, NV | $550-$650 |
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When: November (Thanksgiving) Coaches: 175+ (Western D1/D2/D3) Best For: Southwest/West Coast boys Format: 3 games over 3 days Website: lasvegasmayorscup.com |
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Central Region Showcases (Boys)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 8. Dallas Cup Super Showcase ELITE | Dallas, TX | $650-$750 |
|
When: April (Spring) Coaches: 200+ (Big 12, Conference USA, Southland) Best For: Central/Southern boys, international exposure Format: 4 games over 5 days, international teams Website: dallascup.com |
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| 9. Lonestar Soccer Club Showcase HIGH VALUE | Austin, TX | $500-$600 |
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When: January Coaches: 150+ (Texas + Southern schools) Best For: Texas/Southern boys targeting regional schools Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: lonestarsoccer.net |
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| 10. Chicago Elite 64 Showcase HIGH VALUE | Chicago, IL | $525-$625 |
|
When: June Coaches: 140+ (Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Horizon) Best For: Midwest boys targeting regional programs Format: 3 games over 3 days Website: chicagoelite64.com |
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Top 10 Showcases for Girls Soccer (By Region)
National Elite Showcases (Girls)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. ECNL National Event ELITE | Phoenix, AZ (rotates) | $695-$895 |
|
When: Multiple (December, February, June) Coaches: 300+ (Most D1 women's programs attend) Best For: Elite girls targeting top D1 programs Format: 3-4 games, national exposure Website: ecnl.com |
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| 2. Girls Academy National Showcase ELITE | Varies (TX, CA, FL) | $695-$795 |
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When: December, July Coaches: 250+ (All divisions represented) Best For: Elite girls in Girls Academy league Format: 3 games over 3 days Website: girlsacademyleague.com |
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| 3. IMG Academy National Showcase ELITE | Bradenton, FL | $750-$850 |
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When: December Coaches: 200+ (Heavy D1 presence) Best For: Top-tier girls seeking elite exposure Format: 4 games over 4 days Website: imgacademy.com |
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Eastern Region Showcases (Girls)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 4. Jefferson Cup Girls Showcase ELITE | Richmond, VA | $600-$700 |
|
When: March Coaches: 225+ (ACC, Big Ten, SEC, A10) Best For: East Coast girls, all divisions Format: 3-4 games over 3 days Website: jeffersoncup.com |
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| 5. EDP Fall Showcase HIGH VALUE | Virginia Beach, VA | $550-$650 |
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When: November Coaches: 175+ (East Coast D1/D2/D3) Best For: Mid-Atlantic girls Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: edpsoccer.com |
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| 6. CASL Showcase (Girls) HIGH VALUE | Raleigh-Durham, NC | $495-$595 |
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When: November Coaches: 160+ (Southeast D1/D2/D3) Best For: Southeast girls Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: caslsoccer.org |
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Western Region Showcases (Girls)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 7. Surf Cup (Girls) ELITE | San Diego, CA | $700-$800 |
|
When: July/August Coaches: 275+ (PAC-12, WCC, Big West) Best For: West Coast elite girls Format: 4 games over 4 days Website: surfcup.org |
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| 8. Silverlakes Showcase HIGH VALUE | Norco, CA | $600-$700 |
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When: March Coaches: 200+ (Western conferences) Best For: California/Southwest girls Format: 3-4 games over 3 days Website: silverlakessoccer.com |
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Central Region Showcases (Girls)
| Showcase | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 9. North Texas Soccer College Showcase HIGH VALUE | Dallas, TX | $525-$625 |
|
When: February, July Coaches: 150+ (Big 12, Conference USA, Southland) Best For: Texas/Southern girls Format: 3 games over 2 days Website: ntxsoccer.com |
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| 10. PDA College Showcase HIGH VALUE | Various (East Coast & Central) | $550-$650 |
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When: June, November Coaches: 140+ (Regional focus varies by location) Best For: Girls seeking regional exposure Format: 3 games over 2-3 days Website: pdasoccer.com |
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Strategic Showcase Selection Guide
How Many Showcases Should You Attend?
| Grade/Year | Recommended # |
|---|---|
| Freshman/Sophomore | 0-1 showcases |
| Strategy: Focus on skill development, maybe attend 1 for exposure/experience | |
| Junior (Fall) | 2-3 showcases |
| Strategy: Active recruiting year - attend regional + 1 national if targeting elite D1 | |
| Junior (Spring/Summer) | 1-2 showcases |
| Strategy: Follow-up exposure after winter recruiting contact | |
| Senior (Fall) | 0-2 showcases |
| Strategy: Only if still uncommitted and actively recruiting | |
✅ Your Showcase Selection Checklist
- Choose showcases where YOUR target schools actually attend (check coach lists)
- Prioritize 1 regional showcase in your geographic area
- Add 1 national showcase only if targeting top-25 D1 programs
- Verify coach attendance numbers and division breakdown before registering
- Consider timing - junior fall is prime recruiting season
- Budget for total costs (registration + travel + food = $800-$1,500 per event)
- Ensure your highlight video is updated and sent to coaches BEFORE attending
- Have realistic expectations - showcases open doors, but skills close deals
Regional Strategy Matrix
| If You Live In... | Priority Showcases | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NY, NJ, PA, MA, CT) |
Boys: Players College, Jefferson Cup Girls: Jefferson Cup, EDP Fall |
Heavy regional coach attendance from Patriot, Ivy, Big East, A-10, America East conferences |
| Southeast (NC, SC, VA, GA, FL) |
Boys: CASL, Jefferson Cup Girls: Jefferson Cup, CASL, EDP |
ACC, SEC, Big South, Southern Conference coaches dominate attendance |
| California |
Boys: Surf Cup, Silverlakes Girls: Surf Cup, Silverlakes |
PAC-12, WCC, Big West, Mountain West coaches prioritize CA showcases |
| Texas/Southwest (TX, OK, NM, AZ) |
Boys: Dallas Cup, Lonestar Girls: North Texas Showcase |
Big 12, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Southland coaches attend in large numbers |
| Midwest (IL, IN, OH, MI, MO) |
Boys: Chicago Elite 64 Girls: PDA (varies) |
Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Horizon, Summit League coaches dominate |
| West/Northwest (WA, OR, CO, UT) |
Both: Surf Cup, Las Vegas Mayor's Cup | PAC-12, WCC, Mountain West, Big Sky coaches attend West Coast events |
Boys vs. Girls: Key Showcase Differences
| Factor | Boys Soccer | Girls Soccer |
|---|---|---|
| Top League Showcases | MLS NEXT dominates with 300+ events | ECNL and Girls Academy are co-leaders |
| Coach Attendance | 150-250 coaches at top events | 200-300 coaches at top events (higher!) |
| Competition for Spots | Higher (6.1% HS to NCAA) | Slightly better (7.9% HS to NCAA) |
| Scholarship Availability | 9.9 scholarships per D1 team | 14 scholarships per D1 team (more!) |
| Showcase Emphasis | Technical ability + physicality | Technical ability + tactical IQ |
| Regional vs National | Regional showcases often sufficient | National showcases more critical for top programs |
💡 Girls Soccer Advantage
Girls soccer recruiting is statistically more favorable than boys:
- 7.9% of girls HS players reach NCAA vs. 6.1% of boys
- 14 D1 scholarships for women vs. 9.9 for men
- More D1 women's programs (330+) than men's (200+)
- Higher percentage of rostered players receive scholarship money
- ECNL and Girls Academy showcase attendance often exceeds boys events
Bottom line: Girls should absolutely leverage showcases as part of their recruiting strategy—the ROI is statistically better than for boys.
Common Showcase Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It's Costly | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Attending Too Early | Wasting $800+ as freshman/sophomore when coaches ignore younger players | Wait until junior year unless exceptionally elite or invited specifically |
| 2. Choosing by Price | Cheap showcases often have minimal coach attendance | Research coach lists, verify division breakdown, check track record |
| 3. Wrong Geographic Match | West Coast player at East Coast showcase = limited relevant coaches | Choose showcases where YOUR target schools actually send coaches |
| 4. No Pre-Event Outreach | Coaches don't know to watch you specifically | Email target coaches 2-3 weeks before with video, game schedule, jersey # |
| 5. Over-Showcasing | Attending 5-7 showcases = $4K-$10K spent, diminishing returns | 2-3 well-chosen showcases junior year is sufficient for most players |
| 6. Skills Aren't Ready | Exposing weaknesses to 200 coaches is worse than no exposure | Focus on skill development first, showcase second |
Maximizing Showcase ROI
📋 Pre-Showcase Checklist (4-6 Weeks Before)
- Update highlight video with recent footage (under 6 months old)
- Create one-page player profile (stats, GPA, contact info, video link)
- Research which colleges are attending (download coach list)
- Identify 10-15 target schools from attending coaches
- Email target coaches with profile + video (3-4 weeks before event)
- Send follow-up email 1 week before with game schedule and jersey number
- Prepare questions to ask coaches if they approach you
- Ensure academic records are in order (GPA, test scores for NCAA Eligibility)
📋 During Showcase Checklist
- Arrive 60 minutes early to every game (warm up properly)
- Wear visible jersey number matching what you sent coaches
- Play YOUR game - don't try to do things you can't do consistently
- Be coachable - coaches watch how you respond to instruction
- Show effort on EVERY play - work rate matters as much as skill
- Parents: don't approach coaches during games (let players make impressions)
- Talk to coaches if they approach you - be prepared, polite, professional
- Collect business cards from any coaches who show interest
📋 Post-Showcase Checklist (Within 48 Hours)
- Email ALL target coaches thanking them for attending (even if no contact)
- Send personalized follow-up to coaches who spoke with you
- Update recruiting spreadsheet with any new coach contacts/interest
- If coaches requested more info, send within 24-48 hours
- Add coaches to your regular update email list (monthly updates)
- Review game footage if available - identify improvement areas
- Debrief with club coach about performance and any coach interest
The Real ROI Question: Are Showcases Worth It?
⚠️ The Honest Assessment
Showcases CAN be valuable if:
- Your player has the technical skills to compete at the level coaches expect
- You choose showcases strategically (right region, right divisions, right timing)
- You do proper pre-event outreach so coaches know to watch your player
- Your academic credentials meet NCAA requirements (don't waste time if GPA is 2.3)
- You have realistic expectations about which division level your player fits
Showcases are a waste of money if:
- Your player's technical skills aren't showcase-ready (brutally honest assessment needed)
- You attend as freshman/sophomore hoping to "get seen early" (coaches ignore young players)
- You don't research which coaches attend and just hope for the best
- You attend 5+ showcases thinking "more = better" (diminishing returns after 3)
- Your highlight video isn't professional or hasn't been updated in a year
The Math: At $800-$1,500 per showcase × 3 showcases = $2,400-$4,500 investment. If that leads to a $15,000/year scholarship ($60K over 4 years), the ROI is 1,300-2,400%. But if it leads to zero offers, you've wasted $2,400-$4,500 that could have been invested in actual skill development.
The Alternative Strategy: Skills First, Showcases Second
Here's what most families get backwards: they spend $3K-$5K on showcases before their player has college-level technical ability. Coaches at showcases can evaluate ability in 15 minutes. If the skills aren't there, exposure doesn't help—it hurts.
The smarter approach:
- Ages 14-16 (Freshman-Sophomore): Invest in skill development, not showcases. Train 4-5x weekly with structured programs. Build college-level technical ability.
- Age 16-17 (Junior Fall): NOW attend 2-3 strategic showcases when skills are ready and coaches are actively recruiting your class.
- Age 17-18 (Junior Spring/Summer): Attend 1-2 additional showcases for follow-up exposure if needed.
This approach saves $1,500-$3,000 (avoiding early showcases) while producing better results because you showcase elite skills instead of mediocre ones.
Build Showcase-Ready Skills at Home
My son made it to Charlotte FC Academy by training systematically at home—not by attending expensive showcases as a 14-year-old. When he DID attend showcases at 16-17, he had college-level skills that coaches noticed immediately.
Anytime Soccer Training provides:
- 5,000+ follow-along training videos for position-specific development
- Professional curriculum designed to build college-level technical ability
- Affordable subscriptions ($6/player/year for teams, $120/year individual)
- Skills that make you stand out at showcases when you DO attend
Stop spending thousands on showcases before your player is ready. Build the skills FIRST, then showcase them strategically.
View Pricing & Start Free Trial Get Free Training ResourcesFinal Recommendations by Player Profile
| Player Profile | Recommended Showcases |
|---|---|
| Elite D1 Prospect (Top 5% nationally) |
• 1 National Elite (MLS NEXT Flex, ECNL National, IMG) • 1 Regional Elite (Jefferson Cup, Surf Cup, Dallas Cup) • 1 Additional Regional |
| Strong D1/D2 Prospect (Top 10-20% regionally) |
• 1 Regional Elite in your area • 1-2 High Value regional showcases • Skip national showcases (not worth cost) |
| D2/D3 Target (Solid player, realistic expectations) |
• 2 High Value regional showcases • Focus on showcases with strong D2/D3 attendance • Skip elite national showcases |
| D3/NAIA Target (Looking for right fit) |
• 1-2 Regional showcases with confirmed D3/NAIA attendance • Consider smaller regional events (better ROI) • Focus on direct coach contact vs. showcase exposure |
| Late Bloomer (Skills developing, uncertain level) |
• Wait until junior year • Start with 1 regional showcase to gauge interest level • Adjust strategy based on coach feedback |
Related Resources
📚 Complete Your College Soccer Recruiting Knowledge
- The College Soccer Recruiting Process: Complete 2026 Guide - Start-to-finish recruiting roadmap
- 10 Ball Mastery Drills Your Child Can Do in 10 Minutes - Build showcase-ready skills at home
- Pro Tips for College Showcase Weekends from Seasoned Coaches - Maximize your showcase performance
- Free Soccer Drills for Kids - Start training today
About the Author: Neil Crawford is the founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop podcast. Having navigated the college recruiting process and professional academy pathways, he helps families make strategic decisions about showcase attendance and player development—without the astronomical costs of traditional recruiting services.
