AYSO Area 12A · Arizona Presents

Old Pueblo Invitational — Area 12A Arizona

Soccer. Community. Tradition.

Dates
Nov 20–22, 2026
Venue
Rillito Sports Complex
Location
Tucson, AZ
⚽ Competitive Registration ⚽ AYSO Registration

Welcome Back

The Old Pueblo is 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.

Competitive Track
Alliance & Club Teams

Open to AYSO Alliance teams and outside club teams. Divisions from 7/8U through 15U & up. Bring your best.

AYSO Track
AYSO Core Teams

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

Tournament Information

⚠ Committee Review Requested

  • The details in this section are preliminary and require committee review before publication.
  • Coach Requirements in particular differ between AYSO Track and Competitive Track — details TBD.
  • Check-in procedures and awards details also pending confirmation.
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Dates & Schedule

November 20–22, 2026. Pool play runs Friday evening through Saturday. Championship matches on Sunday. Full schedule distributed upon acceptance.

Guaranteed Games

Every team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 games regardless of pool play results. Top teams advance to bracket play on Sunday.

🏟️
Venue

Rillito Sports Complex
Tucson, Arizona. Field details and parking information will be included in your acceptance packet.

👮
Coach Requirements

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.

📋
Check-In

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.

🏆
Awards

Champion and finalist awards for each division. Additional recognition details to be announced. Pending committee review.

Entry Fees

Tournament Pricing

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.

Competitive Track — Alliance & Club

Division Team Entry Fee Format Guaranteed Games
7/8U$2504v43 minimum
9/10U$5757v73 minimum
11/12U$6509v93 minimum
13/14U$72511v113 minimum
15U & Up$80011v113 minimum

AYSO Track — AYSO Core Regional Teams

Division Team Entry Fee Format Guaranteed Games
AYSO 10U$2507v73 minimum
AYSO 12U$2509v93 minimum
AYSO 14U$25011v113 minimum
AYSO 16U$25011v113 minimum

Open to registered AYSO Core regional teams only. Flat $250 entry fee for all age groups.

Important Notes

  • All referee fees are included in the entry fee. No additional charges on game day.
  • All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 3 games.
  • Entry fees are due upon acceptance. Spots are not reserved until payment is received.
  • Tiebreakers: Points → Goal differential → Goals against → Head-to-head → Kicks from the penalty mark.
  • A player receiving a red card is automatically suspended for the team's next game.

Join the Tournament

Register Your Team

Select your tournament track below. Registration is subject to review and acceptance. You will receive a confirmation email once your spot is confirmed.

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Competitive

For AYSO Alliance teams and outside club teams. Ages 7/8U through 15U & up.

7/8U · 9/10U · 11/12U · 13/14U · 15U+

Register — Competitive
AYSO

For 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 — AYSO

How We Play

Rules of 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 No 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 System

Points determine pool play standings and bracket seeding.

+6
Win
+3
Draw
+1
Shutout (Clean Sheet)
−1
Yellow Card
−2
Red Card
0
Loss

Bracket Formats & Advancement

The bracket format used in each division depends on the number of teams registered. The Tournament Director determines final bracket assignments.

3️⃣
3-Team Bracket

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.

4️⃣
4-Team Bracket

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.

5️⃣
5-Team Bracket

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.

6️⃣
6-Team Bracket

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.

8️⃣
8-Team Bracket

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.

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Uneven Registrations

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.

General Rules — All Divisions

  • Unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with referee permission. Players may re-enter.
  • All players must play a minimum of 50% of total game time.
  • A player receiving a red card is suspended for the team's next game. The tournament director may impose additional sanctions for serious misconduct.
  • No coaching from behind the goal lines. Coaches must remain in the designated technical area.
  • Home team (listed first on schedule) wears light jerseys; away team wears dark. Bring an alternate set of jerseys or numbered pinnies.
  • Each team must present player passes and a signed game card to the referee before kickoff.
  • Guest players must appear on the official roster submitted at check-in. Maximum 3 guest players per team (AYSO divisions only).
  • In the event of a tie after pool play, teams advance by: Points → Goal differential (max +5 per game) → Goals against → Head-to-head → Kicks from the penalty mark.
  • Heading restriction: deliberate headers by players 12U and younger result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team. No caution issued for first offense per AYSO guidelines.

Where to Stay

Hotels & Accommodations

We've identified several conveniently located hotels near Rillito Sports Complex. Preferred rate hotels have negotiated OPI tournament pricing — mention the Old Pueblo Invitational when booking.

⭐ Preferred rate hotels coming soon — contact perks@opisoccer.com for updates
⭐ Preferred Rate
Hilton
Homewood Suites Tucson / St. Philip's Plaza
📍 ~2 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Free Breakfast Pool Suites Free WiFi
Preferred Rate TBDContact perks coordinator for OPI group rate
⭐ Preferred Rate
IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tucson Mall
📍 ~3 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Free Breakfast Pool Hot Tub Business Center
Preferred Rate TBDContact perks coordinator for OPI group rate
Hilton
The Eddy Hotel Tucson, Tapestry Collection
📍 ~4 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Boutique Restaurant Bar Fitness Center
From ~$247/nightStandard rate — book directly for best price
Hilton
Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village
📍 ~5 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Free Breakfast Pool All Suites Evening Reception
From ~$150/nightStandard rate — book directly for best price
Radisson
Country Inn & Suites Tucson City Center
📍 ~3 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Free Breakfast Pool Free Parking Pet Friendly
From ~$91/nightStandard rate — book directly for best price
Best Western
InnSuites Tucson Foothills
📍 ~4 miles from Rillito Sports Complex
Free Breakfast Pool Suites Free Parking
From ~$79/nightStandard rate — book directly for best price
📬 Preferred Rates & Group Blocks
Our perks coordinator is finalizing group rate agreements with select hotels. Preferred rates and room block details will be posted here as they become available. Teams requiring group accommodations should check back or email perks@opisoccer.com to be notified when rates are confirmed.

Get in Touch

Contact & Location

Tournament Director Ed Smith — director@opisoccer.com
Competition Director Mike Gilmore — competition@opisoccer.com
Fields Chris Hines — fields@opisoccer.com
Website John Parkin & Jason Green — webmaster@opisoccer.com
Tournament Dates November 20–22, 2026
Venue Rillito Sports Complex
Tucson, Arizona
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AYSO Area 12A · ArizonaSanctioned AYSO tournament. Open to AYSO Core regional teams (AYSO Track) and AYSO Alliance / Club teams (Competitive Track).

📍

Rillito Sports Complex

Tucson, Arizona
Detailed field maps and parking instructions will be included in your team acceptance packet.

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