Soccer tournament gives businesses a leg up

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Local businesses got a kick out of this weekend’s 17th annual Seaside Soccer Classic. More than 4,000 soccer players and their family and friends made a trip to Wilmington this weekend. The tournament hosted 300 teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. According to the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, the event was estimated to generate about $2.3 million dollars in direct visitor spending.

“We went and ate out at Brooklyn Pizza, which is right here close by. We took the entire team over there. I think they made a good bit of money today. They were happy to see us all come in there,” said Jeff Caudle, who’s child played in the tournament.

According to the Cape Fear Soccer Association, this year’s tournament was the biggest tournament to date.