AYSO Area 12A · Arizona Presents
Soccer. Community. Tradition.
AYSO Area 12A · Arizona Presents
Soccer. Community. Tradition.
Welcome Back
The Old Pueblo Invitational is one of Tucson's most beloved youth soccer traditions, and AYSO Area 12A is proud to bring it back. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, OPI 2026 brings together teams from across the region for a weekend of great soccer, great community, and great competition.
This year's tournament features two distinct tracks — one built for the competitive club environment, and one that serves as the end-of-season AYSO regional tournament for Core teams. Every team is guaranteed a minimum of three games.
Held at the Rillito Sports Complex in Tucson, November 20–22, 2026 — the weekend before Thanksgiving. OPI is the perfect season capstone for your players.
Open to AYSO Alliance teams and outside club teams. Divisions from 7/8U through 15U & up. Bring your best.
Open to AYSO Core regional teams. The end-of-season tournament for AYSO regions in Area 12A and beyond. Divisions 10U through 16U. True to the AYSO spirit: everyone plays, everyone grows.
What to Know
November 20–22, 2026. Pool play runs Friday evening through Saturday. Championship matches on Sunday. Full schedule distributed upon acceptance.
Every team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 games regardless of pool play results. Top teams advance to bracket play on Sunday.
Rillito Sports Complex
Tucson, Arizona. Field details and parking information will be included in your acceptance packet.
AYSO Track: Coaches must be currently registered AYSO volunteers with valid background check, Safe Haven, and Safesport certification.
Competitive Track: Requirements for club and Alliance coaches TBD — pending committee review.
Coaches must check in at least 60 minutes before their first match with player passes, coach ID, and hard-copy medical release forms. Full check-in procedures pending confirmation.
Champion and finalist awards for each division. Additional recognition details to be announced. Pending committee review.
Entry Fees
All referee costs are included in the entry fee — no additional fees on game day. Entry fees are due upon acceptance; spots are not reserved until payment is received.
| Division | Team Entry Fee | Format | Guaranteed Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8U | $250 | 4v4 | 3 minimum |
| 9/10U | $575 | 7v7 | 3 minimum |
| 11/12U | $650 | 9v9 | 3 minimum |
| 13/14U | $725 | 11v11 | 3 minimum |
| 15U & Up | $800 | 11v11 | 3 minimum |
| Division | Team Entry Fee | Format | Guaranteed Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| AYSO 10U | $250 | 7v7 | 3 minimum |
| AYSO 12U | $250 | 9v9 | 3 minimum |
| AYSO 14U | $250 | 11v11 | 3 minimum |
| AYSO 16U | $250 | 11v11 | 3 minimum |
Open to registered AYSO Core regional teams only. Flat $250 entry fee for all age groups.
Join the Tournament
Select your tournament track below. Registration is subject to review and acceptance. You will receive a confirmation email once your spot is confirmed.
For AYSO Alliance teams and outside club teams. Ages 7/8U through 15U & up.
7/8U · 9/10U · 11/12U · 13/14U · 15U+
Register — CompetitiveFor AYSO Core regional teams. End-of-season tournament. Flat $250 entry fee for all age groups.
AYSO 10U · AYSO 12U · AYSO 14U · AYSO 16U
Register — AYSOLive tournament information on GotSport — updated as the event approaches.
How We Play
All games are played under current AYSO National Rules & Regulations and FIFA Laws of the Game with the age-specific modifications listed below. The Tournament Director's interpretation of all rules is final.
| Division | Format | Field Size | Ball | Roster / Game | Game Length | Headers | Slide Tackles | Build-out Line | Offsides | GK Punts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8U | 4v4 | 25×20 yds | Size 3 | 8 / 4 | 4×10 min | No | No | No | No | No |
| 9/10U | 7v7 | 55–65 × 35–45 yds | Size 4 | 12 / 7 | 2×25 min | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 11/12U | 9v9 | 70–80 × 45–55 yds | Size 4 | 14 / 9 | 2×30 min | No | Limited* | No | Yes | Yes |
| 13/14U | 11v11 | 100–110 × 60–70 yds | Size 5 | 16 / 11 | 2×35 min | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 15U & Up | 11v11 | 110–120 × 65–80 yds | Size 5 | 18 / 11 | 2×40 min | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
* 11/12U: Slide tackles are permitted only in a defensive attempt to play the ball — no reckless or dangerous challenges. Referee discretion applies.
Points determine pool play standings and bracket seeding.
The bracket format used in each division depends on the number of teams registered. The Tournament Director determines final bracket assignments.
Full round-robin — each team plays the other two. Top team advances to the Championship Final. The 2nd and 3rd place teams play a third-place consolation match. Standings determined by points then tiebreakers.
Full round-robin — each team plays 3 games. Top two teams by points advance to the Championship Final. The higher seed is the home team. No semi-final; the final is a rematch between the top two finishers.
Full round-robin — each team plays 4 games. Top two teams by points advance to the Championship Final. Seeds #4 and #5 play a quarterfinal; winner plays #1 in the semi-final. Seeds #2 and #3 meet in the other semi-final. Semi-final winners meet in the Final.
Two groups of 3 — each team plays 2 pool games within its group, then 1 crossover game against a team from the other group. Top 2 teams overall by points advance to the Championship Final.
Two groups of 4 — full round-robin within each group (3 games each). Group winners advance to the Championship Final; runners-up play a 3rd-place match. Cross-group semi-finals if the division warrants it.
If a division receives an odd number of teams, the Tournament Director may combine age-adjacent divisions, add a wildcard advancement slot, or restructure brackets to ensure all teams receive a minimum of 3 games.
Where to Stay
OPI 2026 has partnered with three hotels near Rillito Sports Complex offering special rates for tournament participants. Book early — room blocks are limited.
Something Unique
Looking for a way to keep your whole team together? The Cooper Center — an environmental education facility connected to the University of Arizona — offers newly refurbished cabins set in the stunning Sonoran Desert. Each cabin sleeps up to 12, making them perfect for a team, coaching staff, or group of families who want a shared experience beyond the tournament.
Cabin Highlights
Rates depend on the number of cabins required and dates of stay. Contact the Cooper Center directly for availability and pricing — this is a rare opportunity to experience the desert in a way no hotel can offer.
Pricing
Rates dependent on number of cabins & duration — contact the center directly for a quote.
Contact the Cooper Center Directly
Cooper Center for Environmental Learning
5403 W. Trails End Rd., Tucson AZ 85745
(520) 626-1825 · Camp office
COE-CooperCenter@arizona.edu
Get in Touch
AYSO Area 12A · ArizonaSanctioned AYSO tournament. Open to AYSO Core regional teams (AYSO Track) and AYSO Alliance / Club teams (Competitive Track).
Tucson, Arizona
Detailed field maps and parking instructions will be included in your team acceptance packet.
Stay Connected
Follow OPI 2026
Follow us for tournament updates, schedule announcements, and news leading up to November. The OPI Facebook page has been the home of the tournament community for years — come find us.