3 major sporting events are planned in Cary this year. Here’s when & how to go
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Three major sporting events are happening in Cary this year
- Tickets are on sale now, though some are already selling out.
- Soccer, rugby and pickleball and other sports fans can attend.
The town of Cary is hosting three major sporting events this year, with tickets now on sale for each event.
Wake County’s second-largest municipality will host The Soccer Tournament, an international rugby match and the pickleball national championship.
Details, including ticket prices, are below:
The Soccer Tournament
The “world’s premier 7v7” tournament is back in Cary for its third year, expecting to draw tens of thousands of fans. The state awarded the soccer festival a $6.8 million grant to keep the tournament in Cary through 2029, The News & Observer previously reported.
“What makes Cary special is our people,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht in a news release. “Our staff, our volunteers, and our citizens always show up and take pride in making visitors feel welcome. The State’s investment is a recognition of that and how amazing our facilities are. We’re proud to keep hosting The Soccer Tournament and to continue sharing this experience with our community and the world for years to come.”
The event features three tournaments, a men’s tournament, a women’s tournament and a mixed tournament, each with a $1 million prize.
- Event: The Soccer Tournament
- Date: Starts Wednesday, May 27 and ends with the championship games on Monday, June 1
- Location: WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Drive
- Parking: You will not be able to buy parking at the stadium, and weeklong parking passes have already sold out. Parking passes can be bought online at tst7v7.com/tickets/parking.
- Tickets: An all-sessions pass is $315 for every match with every team, but there are packages for individual tournaments, or passes for single days, which can range from $35 to $55. Tickets can be bought online at tst7v7.com/tickets.
World Rugby Nations Cup
Professional international rugby is back in Cary for the first time in over a decade. The inaugural World Rugby Nations Cups features 12 national teams ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“This match brings another high-level international event to a facility built to host it, and we can’t wait for all the fans to experience it here in Cary,” said John Collins, Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources director, in a news release.
The USA Eagles will face Spain after earlier matches in Denver and Charlotte, according to the town.
- Event: USA vs. Spain World Rugby National Cup match
- Date: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18
- Location: WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Drive
- Tickets: Prices range from $25 to $100 for lounge suite. Tickets can be bought online at anthemrc.flicket.io.
Pickleball National Championships
The Carvana Professional Pickleball Association is kicking off its 2026-2027 season with the Veolia Pickleball National Championships at the Cary Tennis Park. This tournament has the “slam” designation and is offering “the largest amount of prize money and ranking points in pro pickleball,” according to a news release from Visit Raleigh.
“Demand is expected to be high for what will be a celebration of America’s fastest growing sport, as the tournament will include world No. 1’s Anna Leigh Waters (Singles, Doubles, Mixed), Ben Johns (Doubles), Gabe Tardio (Mixed) and Chris Haworth (Singles), alongside North Carolina residents such as world No. 2 Kate Fahey and world No. 4 Brooke Buckner,” according to Visit Raleigh. “Other local globally ranked professionals competing will include Durham, N.C., resident Mehvish Safdar and High Point, N.C., resident James Delgado.”
- Event: Veolia Pickleball National Championship
- Date: Monday, Aug. 31 - Sunday, Sept. 6.
- Location: Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Drive
- Tickets: Courtside tickets range from about $90 for a championship game to $30 for a grounds pass on the first day. A weeks-long grounds pass is about $110 or $330 for courtside seating Thursday through Sunday, though some passes are already sold out. Tickets can be bought online at pbnationals.com.
