Cary's TST soccer tournament returns with parking, bag rules guide

What to know before you go

WakeMed Soccer Park is about to turn into a six-day soccer festival, and the smartest fans will treat the trip like an event weekend, not a normal match. The Soccer Tournament, known as TST, runs from May 27 through June 1, 2026, at 101 Soccer Park Drive in Cary, with 76 teams, 159 live matches, and three $1 million competitions for men, women, and a new mixed division.

The scale alone changes the experience. Organizers say more than 2,000 athletes are flying in from around the world, with teams from 15 countries, eight professional leagues, and four continents. The 2026 field includes Wrexham AFC, Villarreal CF, Cagliari Calcio, Club América, Orlando Pirates, the North Carolina Courage, and Dreamville FC, the men’s team organized by J. Cole’s Dreamville Records.

Plan your arrival before you leave home

The biggest mistake is assuming you can handle tickets or parking at the gate. TST’s event rules say both must be purchased online in advance, and there is no stadium sales option. That matters because a large crowd is expected throughout the week, and the venue is set up for pre-planned entry rather than walk-up convenience.

Parking strategy will make or break your day. VIP parking in Lot C is the closest option to the entrance, while general parking still requires a walk of about three to five minutes. If you are trying to get in quickly with kids, bags, snacks, and sunscreen in hand, that short walk still adds up, especially when the lots fill and the temperature climbs.

Know the bag rules before you pack

WakeMed Soccer Park uses a clear-bag policy, and that means less guesswork at the entrance if you pack light. Backpacks, most bags, coolers, outside drinks, video equipment, drones, and weapons are not allowed, so the safest approach is to bring only what fits the posted rules and skip anything that might slow you down at screening.

For families, that means thinking small and practical. A clear bag with essentials, a phone, wallet, sunscreen, and anything needed for a child is a much better choice than a large tote or cooler. If you are used to carrying in bottled drinks or extra gear to a long youth-soccer day, this is the weekend to pare down.

Why this event has become such a Cary fixture

TST did not arrive in Cary by accident. The tournament launched here in June 2023, and it is now under a four-year extension that keeps it at WakeMed Soccer Park through 2029. The state’s $6.8 million grant through the NC Department of Commerce Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund is tied to that longer stay and is meant to reimburse eligible in-state expenses over the life of the deal.

That investment reflects how strongly the event has taken hold. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht has said the town’s people, staff, volunteers, and facilities help make the tournament work, and that the state’s support reflects both the event’s draw and the quality of Cary’s sports infrastructure. In practical terms, the weekend now functions as a major regional sports draw, not just a local tournament.

The numbers behind the draw

The 2025 tournament set a record with 51,730 spectators, nearly 2,000 players from 34 countries, and an estimated 31,657 fans traveling to Cary from outside Wake County. Organizers said the event generated more than $14.7 million in direct economic impact, over $547,000 in local tax revenue, nearly 20,000 room nights, and $3.8 million in lodging and transportation spending.

Since 2024, TST says it has produced $23.9 million in total economic impact for Cary and Wake County. That kind of footprint explains why the town treats the event as more than a sports novelty. Hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, and businesses around Cary all benefit when the tournament fills the calendar and brings in visitors from across the country and beyond.

What changed for 2026

This year’s tournament is bigger in key ways. The women’s field grew from eight teams in 2024 to 16 in 2025, and the new mixed division adds another layer to the format. Organizers also say the 2026 schedule will feature 159 game-winning goals over six days, including three million-dollar goals, which is part of the high-drama structure that has made TST stand out.

The lineup also mixes traditional club names with celebrity-connected entries. Along with established sides such as Wrexham AFC and Club América, the field includes Dreamville FC, Gerard Pique’s Kings League All-Stars, and a team tied to Sergio Agüero. TST CEO Jon Mugar has said the event is expected to have more than 2,000 athletes flying in from around the world and called it bigger and better than ever.

How Cary wants visitors to spend the weekend

The town is also using TST as a way to showcase more than just the stadium. Cary is encouraging visitors to spend time downtown, dine locally, shop, and use nearby trails and parks between matches. That makes the tournament feel less like a single-venue event and more like a full weekend across Cary.

For anyone trying to stretch a soccer outing into a family day, that is the easiest win. Build in time for Downtown Cary, give yourself a buffer between matches, and do not assume the day ends when the final whistle blows at WakeMed Soccer Park. The crowd will be larger and more complicated than a typical local match, so the best experience comes from planning around the traffic, parking, and venue rules before you ever get to the gate.

TST has become one of Cary’s signature spring attractions for a reason: the soccer is fast, the field is international, and the logistics now match the scale. The fans who arrive prepared will spend less time dealing with parking, screening, and traffic, and more time watching one of the most ambitious soccer weekends in Wake County.