Canton Cup’s mega-popularity due to way more than soccer
Volunteers will be on hand to sell Canton Cup apparel
Canton’s population will temporarily spike by as many as 20,000 people this weekend thanks to an annual event that is spearheaded by soccer, but enhanced by a wide-ranging buffet of compelling activities.
The 41st Canton Cup will kick off Friday with 455 teams from across the Midwest and Canada registered to compete.
The majority of the action will take place at Independence Park (1898 Denton Road), which will be divided into a 25-field grid.
Games will also unfold at Heritage Park, Griffin Park and High Velocity in Canton, and on the campus of Schoolcraft College in Livonia.
Tournament Director Mike Crumley said anywhere from 16,000 to 20,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Canton Cup, which will be blessed with spectacular weather, according to multiple forecasts.
“The tournament’s popularity is the result of its festive atmosphere,” Crumley asserted. “It’s a weekend when the entire Canton community comes together to put on a show — not only for people who are visiting from across the state and neighboring states, but those who live in and nearby the township.”
Long treks — but it’s worth the drive
The tournament has drawn teams from as far away as Scotland. The team traveling the furthest this year will be trekking from north of Sault Ste. Marie.
While Crumley noted that the Detroit City Football Club West-run event is expected to generate up to $5 million for the local business community, he’s equally proud of the tournament’s recognition of United States veterans on Memorial Day Weekend — and its TOPSoccer game that will showcase teams made up of children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities.
The TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) game is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. on field 9A or field 9B at Independence Park.
Like it has done in the past, The Canton Cup will also honor fallen heroes with field dedication signs at every field.
“The fact that our tournament falls on Memorial Day Weekend makes it a natural to pay our respects to U.S. veterans with the sign program,” Crumley said. “It’s really been a popular addition to the tournament. I’ve already received requests from families of veterans for next year’s tournament.”
Numbers game
With 675 games on the schedule and an average of four or five goals scored per game, Crumley calculated there will be approximately 2,500 goals scored throughout the weekend.
“Each one will probably be followed by a pretty cool celebration, too,” he said, smiling.
When asked how many red Solo cups will be utilized by spectators gulping down beverages, Crumley guessed, with a chuckle, “somewhere in the hundreds, for sure. Although that estimate may be a little low.”
Independence Park will be packed with food trucks, and tents that will stock apparel and soccer equipment.
“This is my favorite week of the year,” Crumley concluded.
“Myself and other members of our Canton Cup staff usually put in about five to 10 hours a week planning in the months leading up to the tournament, so to see it all come together is an amazing feeling.”
Once the final ball is struck sometime late Sunday afternoon (Monday is reserved for make-up games only), the Cup committee will take a well-deserved weeks-long break before planning for the 42nd annual event in May of 2025.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
