This week, Queen’s is welcoming more than 600 football players and coaches from across the country for the U18 Football Canada Cup (FCC) and the U16 Eastern Challenge.

The tournaments offer young athletes the chance to participate in a national championship, showcase their talent to potential recruiters, and help promote national unity and sportsmanship.

This year’s championships are being held on July 5-13 at Richardson Stadium, with teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia taking part.

This is the first time in seven years that the FCC is being held in Ontario, an honour that was given to Queen’s for its collaborative and community-based approach.

“We were able to attract the 2019 U-18 Canada Cup and the U-16 Eastern Challenge to Queen’s because of our on-campus hotel style accommodations, spacious group dining and world class sporting venues,” says Nicole Braatz, Sales and Marketing Manager for Queen’s Event Services. “The success of hosting 600 athletes on campus could only have been achieved through the support of our campus partners, including Queen’s Athletics and Recreation, Queen’s Hospitality Services, and Residence Facilities.”

Over the course of the championships, Queen’s is expected to serve 15,000 meals, fill three residence buildings, and welcome over 2,000 spectators to Richardson Stadium.

This achievement would not be possible without the continued collaboration between Queen’s and Tourism Kingston. The football championships will provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase both the university and the city of Kingston on a national scale.

“We are thrilled that Kingston was selected to host the 2019 U18 Football Canada Cup and U16 Eastern Challenge,” says Megan Knott, Executive Director at Tourism Kingston. “Not only will the athletes relish playing on world-class facilities, but spectators and families will have an opportunity to experience the vibrancy, culture and culinary that Kingston has to offer.”

Tickets for all FCC and U16 Eastern Challenge games can be purchased on the Gaels Tickets website.

For more information on Football Canada and Ontario Football, visit www.FootballCanada.com and www.OntarioFootball.ca.