Three-year partnership brings conference soccer championships to Cooper Sports Complex
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 3, 2026
Contact: Stan Adams, Interim Executive Director
Email: stan@springfieldmo.org
417-881-5300 ext. 109
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Springfield Sports Commission is excited to announce that Springfield will host the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Soccer Championship Tournament Nov. 5–8 at Cooper Sports Complex, bringing approximately 600 student-athletes to the Springfield area for the GLVC’s fall championship events.
The tournament marks the first year of a three-year deal between the Springfield Sports Commission, Drury University, Lake Country Soccer, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and the Great Lakes Valley Conference to bring the conference’s soccer championships to Springfield.
“We’re excited to welcome the GLVC Soccer Championship Tournament to Springfield and Cooper Sports Complex,” said Stan Adams, Interim Executive Director of the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission. “This three-year partnership is a great opportunity to showcase our sports facilities and community while bringing student-athletes, coaches and fans to Springfield. We’re proud to continue building relationships with collegiate athletic conferences and creating opportunities for sporting events to make an impact in our community.”
The tournament will feature four women’s teams and four men’s teams competing for their respective conference championships. The women’s semifinals will take place Thursday, Nov. 5, followed by the men’s semifinals Friday, Nov. 6. The women’s championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, and the men’s championship game will take place Sunday, Nov. 8.
“Springfield, MO will be at the epicenter of the 2026 GLVC Fall Championships the week of November 5-8,” said Jim Naumovich, Commissioner of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. “We are looking forward to hosting our soccer and cross country events at the Cooper Sports Complex and Allison Sports Town and providing a memorable championship experience for approximately 600 student-athletes from our 15 member institutions. We are grateful for the help and support we are receiving from the Springfield Sports Commission, the Drury University athletic department, and local dining establishments and excited to crown four GLVC Champions during our time in town.”
Schedule of Events:
Thursday Nov. 5 (Women’s Semifinal)
- Game #1 – 4:00 PM #5 Maryville vs #1 Missouri-St. Louis
- Game #2 – 7:00 PM #3 Missouri S&T vs #2 McKendree
Friday, Nov. 6 (Men’s Semifinal)
- Game #3 – 4:00 PM #4 Indianapolis vs #1 Lincoln
- Game #4 – 7:00 PM #7 Truman State vs #6 Missouri-St. Louis
Saturday, Nov. 7th (Women’s Championship)
- 3:30 PM Game #1 Winner vs Game #2 Winner
Sunday, Nov. 8th (Men’s Championship)
- 12:00 PM Game #3 Winner vs Game #4 Winner
The community is invited to attend the tournament and cheer on the competing teams throughout the four-day championship event. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for military members and senior citizens, $5 for students and children ages 4 and older. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.
The tournament is expected to generate an estimated $580,618 in economic impact for the Springfield area through visitor spending on lodging, dining and other local businesses.
Overall estimated economic impact is calculated via the Destinations International Economic Impact Calculator and past event history.
For more information about sporting events in Springfield, visit springfieldmosports.org.