Boys & Girls U8-19
March 12 - 14, 2027
Don’t Get Stuck In the Mud!
The Elite Spring Thaw is one of the top pre-season spring tournaments for the highest level U9-U19 teams in the Midwest with over 350 teams participating annually. Teams from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Canada join us for a weekend to kick off their spring season.
Teams are accepted on a rolling basis until the event reaches capacity. We strongly encourage early application,as events may sell out early!
The event offers divisions at the following levels:
- High Competitive:
MLS Next/ Pre MLS Next 1/ECNL/ECNL RL/Pre-ECNL 1 GA/GA-Aspire /Pre GA21 - Mid Competitive:
UYSA-US Club- New Comp League/NAL/DPL/ USYSA Higher State League/ Pre-MLS Next 2/Pre-ECNL 2/Pre GA 2 - Competitive:
USYSA and US Club State League and/ or Local League
The Elite Spring Thaw will play on all turf fields.
“Delivering Predictable Events: Professionally Managed, World Class Facilities, and the right Competition for all your teams”
- Don’t Get Stuck In the Mud- All matches are played on turf fields!
- Awards for champions and finalists in all age groups.
- Multiple divisions in an age group/gender to promote competitive balance.
Awards will be given to the Champion and Finalist in each division following each Championship Match. They will be handed out by a site coordinator or referee at your field. If you are in a group of five (5) where there is no Championship Match, we will do our best to deliver medals to your field if we can determine 1st and 2nd place prior to all games in the group concluding. If we are not able to do so, we will reach out to a representative from your club and mail them to you.
Location
Fees
- 7v7 (U8-10): $995.00
- 9v9 (U10-12): $1,195.00
- 11v11 (U12-19): $1,295.00
Additional Fees Details
- Teams are accepted on a rolling basis until the event reaches capacity. We strongly encourage early application, as events may sell out even before the deadline. Teams will not be accepted until payment is received. Conditional acceptance may be provided, pending team housing arrangements through the event housing coordinator. *Please note that failure to secure housing may result in team withdrawal from the event.
- All teams Must pay by credit card.
- Clubs who are sending 5 or more teams to an event may contact the Event Director to inquire about a check payment option for the club.
- A credit card processing fee will be applied to all applications using a credit card for payment.
- A $20 GotSport software fee, or 1.5% of the registration fee (whichever is greater), will be added to the final amount for both credit card and check payments.
Contacts
Registration Information
Flight Criteria
Please make sure that your GotSport or Playmetrics (if attending the Bash in the Boro or Orion Cup) information is correct- your head coach (the one coaching the games) and your team name.
You can log into GotSport to change what you need. This will ensure that we can try to accommodate any coaching conflicts. This MUST be completed before flights are posted.
Before you request a change in flight placement, please note that the tournament committee has done their due diligence in researching the following:
- Current Registered League play
- Current/Past League play results
- Past Tournament results
- Comparison to other teams in Event
- Application information
- Requested bracket
If you believe your team has been bracketed incorrectly, please email the event staff with specific results that support your argument by our deadline stated in the flight email. Please include the following in the email:
- Team name, age group/gender and current flight.
- Scores against other teams in the event or scores from leagues or recent tournaments.
Please don’t include anything with “rankings”. We especially look at actual scores and events that teams have attended this fall/winter/spring. These are the most accurate indicators of your team’s level. Again, be specific please. It is not our goal to set anyone up for failure or to stack the deck in any team’s favor, we want the best competition for all of the teams in our event.
*Please note this does NOT guarantee a change in flight, the final decision is at the discretion of the tournament committee
- Midwest Cincy Event Request Form
- Cincinnati, OH Events
- Midwest Indy Event Request Form
- Columbus, OH, Troy, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Louisville, KY Events
- Southeast Event Request Form
- Elizabethtown, KY, Murfreesboro, TN, Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Lakewood Ranch, FL, Clearwater, FL Events
Schedule Criteria
Please let the event staff know by submitting an email if any of the following have a appeared on your schedule:
- A direct coaching conflict within this event for coaches who coach multiple teams (up to two (2) teams). If you are coaching more than two (2) teams you must have an assistant coach.
- A major mistake ( a team playing two games at the same time or back to back games).
Although we know life happens but we simply cannot honor requests for the following reason as there are just too many:
- Travel Distance: Event staff will attempt to accommodate a teams traveling distance to and from the event, it is not guaranteed.
- Personal reasons (weddings, etc).
- Non-event specific coaching conflicts not related to this event (another team you are coaching is playing elsewhere).
All support ticket emails must be made before schedules become final.
- Midwest Cincy Event Request Form
- Cincinnati, OH Events
- Midwest Indy Event Request Form
- Columbus, OH, Troy, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Louisville, KY Events
- Southeast Event Request Form
- Elizabethtown, KY, Murfreesboro, TN, Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Lakewood Ranch, FL, Clearwater, FL Events
Roster Rules
Acceptance
Online Check-in
Online Check-in
Online Check-In must be completed no later than 2 weeks before the event weekend.
Please note that our online check-in process has changed for this year. Closely review the steps below to ensure all information is added and approved two weeks before the event. Rosters will now be locked in GotSport and changes will not be allowed once they are locked.
Step 1:
Please upload the following documents via GotSport. Use the following instructions on how to do this: HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS
-
Roster: Copy of your team’s official roster. Please cross off players who WILL NOT be attending. This document needs to be a single PDF file. For Guest Players: The player(s) must be added to the bottom of the official PDF roster. All roster sizes must be in compliance with our updated event rules. For the full list of rules please refer to kingshammersbd.com
Teams may utilize 2–5 guest players depending on their specific playing format, as detailed below:
-
- 4v4: 2 guest players
- 5v5: 2 guest players
- 7v7: 3 guest players
- 9v9: 4 guest players
- 11v11: 5 guest players
-
Player Passes: Copies of validated player/coach/manager passes issued by USYSA or US Club Soccer (rostered players and guest players) as they are listed on your tournament roster. This document must be a single PDF file document, no other formats will be approved.
-
Guest Player Passes: The team is required to have the player’s “player card,” and the card(s) must be uploaded by the two-week deadline.
-
Special Note on Guest Players:
-
If adding guest players after your roster has been frozen or within 72 hours prior to the start of the tournament, you must notify the tournament staff via the event email for permission. Staff will then instruct you on the next steps. Absolutely no roster changes will be allowed without prior staff approval. Guest players will not be approved once the team has started its first game.
-
-
-
Travel Paperwork:
-
USYSA Teams traveling from outside the state where the event is hosted must get this form from their state office.
-
For TN Events: Required for all USYS teams that are not from the host state association.
-
For KY/OH/IN Events: Teams traveling to USYS Sanctioned Tournaments and events outside of the Midwest Region MUST submit a Permission to Travel Request via GotSport prior to traveling/participating. The Midwest Region includes: Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
-
-
US Club Teams do not need travel paperwork. This document needs to be a single PDF file; no photo images.
-
International Teams must get a Travel Host Approval Letter from their district.
-
Step 2:
Next you will need to build your roster in GotSport. Use the following instructions on how to do this: How to Build an Event Roster on GotSport Click Here
The event will review rosters on a rolling basis as teams are accepted. You will only receive communication if there are issues with your check-in documents.
Please note: Online Check-In must be completed on or before two (2) weeks prior to the event weekend. Rosters will then be locked at this time. Teams without an approved roster by tournament staff will not be permitted to play and will forfeit all games.
Our travel partner Site Search is committed to providing you with the most memorable experience possible. Realizing hotel accommodations play a major role in your experience, we have partnered with area hotels to offer you the best options and prices.
Benefits of Our Housing Service
- Priority Access & Ideal Locations
We secure hotel room blocks up to one year in advance, ensuring teams stay as close as possible to the playing venues—saving time, reducing travel stress, and lowering transportation costs. - Best Rate Guaranteed
Your room rates are locked in at the time of booking, even if hotel prices increase later. You’ll always receive the lowest available group rate negotiated for the event. - Trusted, Vetted Hotels
All hotels are carefully selected and approved by our housing team for quality, safety, team-friendliness, and proximity—eliminating guesswork and surprises. - Weather-Related Cancellation Protection
If an event is cancelled due to weather, our housing service manages all room cancellations, eliminating the need for teams or families to negotiate directly with hotels. - Financial Protection for Deposits
Any non-refundable deposits are fully protected if the event is cancelled, providing peace of mind and safeguarding your investment. - No Hotel Contracts for Team Administrators
Team managers, coaches, and administrators are not required to sign hotel contracts, eliminating personal or team liability related to cancellation or attrition policies for the entire room block. - Our housing manager will reach out to you within two (2) business days of applying to the event with a housing link to book reservations.
Each family from your team will then have 5 days within creating your block to guarantee all reservations.
If you are a local club (within 90 miles) and do not require any accommodations, please let me know. Please understand commuting teams will not receive special scheduling requests based on commute distance.
** The event uses the office address for the club to determine the distance of travel for the team.
Your team is NOT in compliance with the Stay to Play policy until a minimum of 7 reservations are made for all U8-U12 teams and 10 reservations are made for all U13-U19 teams.
For your team to be in compliance with the tournament rules, your team would need to meet the minimum housing requirement.
Teams may be conditionally accepted prior to their housing being booked.
If you have any questions or want to book immediately please contact
support@SiteSearchLLC.com or
call 502-292-3198
Guest Player Pool
Flight Criteria
Please make sure that your GotSport or Playmetrics (if attending the Bash in the Boro or Orion Cup) information is correct- your head coach (the one coaching the games) and your team name.
You can log into GotSport to change what you need. This will ensure that we can try to accommodate any coaching conflicts. This MUST be completed before flights are posted.
Before you request a change in flight placement, please note that the tournament committee has done their due diligence in researching the following:
- Current Registered League play
- Current/Past League play results
- Past Tournament results
- Comparison to other teams in Event
- Application information
- Requested bracket
If you believe your team has been bracketed incorrectly, please email the event staff with specific results that support your argument by our deadline stated in the flight email. Please include the following in the email:
- Team name, age group/gender and current flight.
- Scores against other teams in the event or scores from leagues or recent tournaments.
Please don’t include anything with “rankings”. We especially look at actual scores and events that teams have attended this fall/winter/spring. These are the most accurate indicators of your team’s level. Again, be specific please. It is not our goal to set anyone up for failure or to stack the deck in any team’s favor, we want the best competition for all of the teams in our event.
*Please note this does NOT guarantee a change in flight, the final decision is at the discretion of the tournament committee
- Midwest Cincy Event Request Form
- Cincinnati, OH Events
- Midwest Indy Event Request Form
- Columbus, OH, Troy, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Louisville, KY Events
- Southeast Event Request Form
- Elizabethtown, KY, Murfreesboro, TN, Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Lakewood Ranch, FL, Clearwater, FL Events
Schedule Criteria
Please let the event staff know by submitting an email if any of the following have a appeared on your schedule:
- A direct coaching conflict within this event for coaches who coach multiple teams (up to two (2) teams). If you are coaching more than two (2) teams you must have an assistant coach.
- A major mistake ( a team playing two games at the same time or back to back games).
Although we know life happens but we simply cannot honor requests for the following reason as there are just too many:
- Travel Distance: Event staff will attempt to accommodate a teams traveling distance to and from the event, it is not guaranteed.
- Personal reasons (weddings, etc).
- Non-event specific coaching conflicts not related to this event (another team you are coaching is playing elsewhere).
All support ticket emails must be made before schedules become final.
- Midwest Cincy Event Request Form
- Cincinnati, OH Events
- Midwest Indy Event Request Form
- Columbus, OH, Troy, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Louisville, KY Events
- Southeast Event Request Form
- Elizabethtown, KY, Murfreesboro, TN, Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Lakewood Ranch, FL, Clearwater, FL Events
Roster Rules
Acceptance
Team Check-In
Online Check-in
Online Check-In must be completed no later than 2 weeks before the event weekend.
Please note that our online check-in process has changed for this year. Closely review the steps below to ensure all information is added and approved two weeks before the event. Rosters will now be locked in GotSport and changes will not be allowed once they are locked.
Step 1:
Please upload the following documents via GotSport. Use the following instructions on how to do this: HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS
-
Roster: Copy of your team’s official roster. Please cross off players who WILL NOT be attending. This document needs to be a single PDF file. For Guest Players: The player(s) must be added to the bottom of the official PDF roster. All roster sizes must be in compliance with our updated event rules. For the full list of rules please refer to kingshammersbd.com
Teams may utilize 2–5 guest players depending on their specific playing format, as detailed below:
-
- 4v4: 2 guest players
- 5v5: 2 guest players
- 7v7: 3 guest players
- 9v9: 4 guest players
- 11v11: 5 guest players
-
Player Passes: Copies of validated player/coach/manager passes issued by USYSA or US Club Soccer (rostered players and guest players) as they are listed on your tournament roster. This document must be a single PDF file document, no other formats will be approved.
-
Guest Player Passes: The team is required to have the player’s “player card,” and the card(s) must be uploaded by the two-week deadline.
-
Special Note on Guest Players:
-
If adding guest players after your roster has been frozen or within 72 hours prior to the start of the tournament, you must notify the tournament staff via the event email for permission. Staff will then instruct you on the next steps. Absolutely no roster changes will be allowed without prior staff approval. Guest players will not be approved once the team has started its first game.
-
-
-
Travel Paperwork:
-
USYSA Teams traveling from outside the state where the event is hosted must get this form from their state office.
-
For TN Events: Required for all USYS teams that are not from the host state association.
-
For KY/OH/IN Events: Teams traveling to USYS Sanctioned Tournaments and events outside of the Midwest Region MUST submit a Permission to Travel Request via GotSport prior to traveling/participating. The Midwest Region includes: Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
-
-
US Club Teams do not need travel paperwork. This document needs to be a single PDF file; no photo images.
-
International Teams must get a Travel Host Approval Letter from their district.
-
Step 2:
Next you will need to build your roster in GotSport. Use the following instructions on how to do this: How to Build an Event Roster on GotSport Click Here
The event will review rosters on a rolling basis as teams are accepted. You will only receive communication if there are issues with your check-in documents.
Please note: Online Check-In must be completed on or before two (2) weeks prior to the event weekend. Rosters will then be locked at this time. Teams without an approved roster by tournament staff will not be permitted to play and will forfeit all games.
Hotel Information
Our travel partner Site Search is committed to providing you with the most memorable experience possible. Realizing hotel accommodations play a major role in your experience, we have partnered with area hotels to offer you the best options and prices.
Benefits of Our Housing Service
- Priority Access & Ideal Locations
We secure hotel room blocks up to one year in advance, ensuring teams stay as close as possible to the playing venues—saving time, reducing travel stress, and lowering transportation costs. - Best Rate Guaranteed
Your room rates are locked in at the time of booking, even if hotel prices increase later. You’ll always receive the lowest available group rate negotiated for the event. - Trusted, Vetted Hotels
All hotels are carefully selected and approved by our housing team for quality, safety, team-friendliness, and proximity—eliminating guesswork and surprises. - Weather-Related Cancellation Protection
If an event is cancelled due to weather, our housing service manages all room cancellations, eliminating the need for teams or families to negotiate directly with hotels. - Financial Protection for Deposits
Any non-refundable deposits are fully protected if the event is cancelled, providing peace of mind and safeguarding your investment. - No Hotel Contracts for Team Administrators
Team managers, coaches, and administrators are not required to sign hotel contracts, eliminating personal or team liability related to cancellation or attrition policies for the entire room block. - Our housing manager will reach out to you within two (2) business days of applying to the event with a housing link to book reservations.
Each family from your team will then have 5 days within creating your block to guarantee all reservations.
If you are a local club (within 90 miles) and do not require any accommodations, please let me know. Please understand commuting teams will not receive special scheduling requests based on commute distance.
** The event uses the office address for the club to determine the distance of travel for the team.
Your team is NOT in compliance with the Stay to Play policy until a minimum of 7 reservations are made for all U8-U12 teams and 10 reservations are made for all U13-U19 teams.
For your team to be in compliance with the tournament rules, your team would need to meet the minimum housing requirement.
Teams may be conditionally accepted prior to their housing being booked.
If you have any questions or want to book immediately please contact
support@SiteSearchLLC.com or
call 502-292-3198
Guest Player Pool
Permission to Host
Facilities
Games will be played at various locations throughout Cincinnati. The address to each facility can be found here. Below are field maps for locations with more than one field.
- Warren County Sports Park: Please NOTE. Teams playing at Warren County Sports Park should use the Gate 3 or 4 entrances located at 3021 Greentree Road, Lebanon, OH 45036.
- NKU IM Fields: 30 Campbell Dr Highland Heights, KY, US
- Riverside Park: 3969 Round Bottom Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Voice of America: 7850 VOA Park West Chester, OH, US
- St. Ursula: Please note that parking in the St. Anthony’s parking lot is strictly prohibited, and any vehicles parked there may be towed. 1310 East McMillan Street Cincinnati, OH, US
- Town & Country: 1018 Town Dr. Wilder, KY 41076
Explore
Cincinnati,
Ohio!
We have included links to the Cincinnati CVB, Butler County CVB, Warren County CVB and Northern KY CVB so you can plan your weekend prior to arriving in town. These links include information on things to do (entertainment, attractions, shopping, outdoors) as well as dining recommendations. In addition, we have also included links for family friendly activities in the area.
Visitors Guides
Discounts & Promotions
FAQS
- Midwest Cincy Event Request Form (Cincinnati, OH Events)
- Midwest Indy Event Request Form (Columbus, OH, Troy, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Louisville, KY Events)
- Southeast Event Request Form (Elizabethtown, KY, Murfreesboro, TN, Lakeland, FL, Tampa, FL, Lakewood Ranch, FL, Clearwater, FL Events)
Sponsors
