U8 Boys and Girls at the Midwest Youth Cup: 5v5 Format, $600 Entry
U8 boys and girls play 5v5 at the Midwest Youth Cup. $600 entry per team, three games guaranteed, small-sided format aligned with U.S. Soccer Federation standards.
U8 Boys and Girls at the Midwest Youth Cup: 5v5 Format, $600 Entry
The U8 division at the 2027 Midwest Youth Cup is a 5v5 tournament for boys and girls, played on small-sided fields, with age-appropriate match lengths and unlimited substitutions. Entry is $600 per team and every U8 team is guaranteed three matches across the weekend.
Format and timing
- Side: 5v5 (4 field players + goalkeeper)
- Roster maximum: 14 players
- Match length: 2 × 20 minutes
- Substitutions: Unlimited, on the fly (players enter and leave during play)
- Heading: Prohibited (U.S. Soccer Federation rules)
- Build-out line: Enforced per U.S. Soccer standards
Schedule across the weekend
U8 teams typically play one match Friday evening or Saturday morning, two matches Saturday, and one Sunday morning. The exact schedule depends on local-team availability for Friday and on bracket draws. Final schedules are posted March 12, 2027 in GotSport.
Why U8 plays at the Midwest Youth Cup
The Midwest Youth Cup runs U8 as a real competitive bracket, not an exhibition. Scores are kept, standings are posted, and the winners of each U8 division get the same trophy presentation as the older age groups. The format follows U.S. Soccer's small-sided pathway so players progress to 7v7 at U9 having already played a competitive 5v5 cycle.
What clubs love about U8 at the Cup
- All-turf, all-lights fields mean U8 games happen even in early-spring weather.
- The single-complex format means parents who have older kids in U10 or U12 don't have to choose which game to watch.
- The on-site dining and bar mean families can stay all day without leaving for food.
Register a U8 team
U8 teams enter through GotSport for $600. Multi-team discounts apply for clubs entering ten or more teams across age groups. Open the registration page to start.