Kick It 3v3 Soccer Nationals

The Kick It 3v3 Soccer Nationals arrives in Vail, Colorado, from July 24 through July 27, 2026, transforming the Vail Athletic Fields into a spirited gathering of youth and adult teams competing at 8,000 feet elevation with the Gore Range rising dramatically in every direction.

This four-day tournament draws players from across the country to a venue at 646 Vail Valley Drive where the thin mountain air carries the sounds of competition across fields framed by evergreen forests and wildflower meadows in full summer bloom. Divisions span from Under-6 through Under-19 for youth players, with men’s, women’s, and co-ed brackets welcoming adult competitors, ensuring that families traveling together can share the tournament experience across generations. Beyond the matches, the festival grounds come alive with live music stages, artisan markets showcasing Colorado craftspeople, and food trucks serving everything from elevated mountain cuisine to classic tournament fare.

Vail in late July exists in a particular state of alpine perfection, with temperatures ranging from the mid-sixties to mid-eighties and afternoon thunderstorms that roll through dramatically before yielding to crystalline evenings. The tournament setting takes full advantage of this climate, with matches scheduled to avoid the warmest hours and spectators spreading blankets across grassy sidelines where the views alone justify the journey. The pedestrian-friendly villages of Vail proper and Lionshead sit within easy reach, their cobblestone streets and Bavarian-inspired architecture creating an atmosphere that feels more European ski town than American resort, even in summer when the slopes trade skiers for hikers and mountain bikers.

The Gore Creek winds through the heart of Vail, offering a constant companion for those exploring between matches. Follow the seven-mile paved Vail Recreation Path as it meanders through aspen groves and alpine meadows, or take the more challenging hike to Booth Falls, where a moderate trail leads through wildflowers to a cascading waterfall that rewards the climb. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the world’s highest botanical garden at 8,200 feet, bursts with color during July and offers a contemplative counterpoint to tournament energy. For those seeking elevation without exertion, the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Gondola One carry passengers to mountaintop viewpoints where the panorama extends across the legendary Back Bowls and toward the distant peaks of the Holy Cross Wilderness.

Vail’s dining scene has evolved far beyond its ski-town origins, now boasting several Michelin-recognized establishments alongside beloved local institutions. Sweet Basil has anchored Vail Village since 1977, its tables overlooking Gore Creek and its innovative American cuisine earning it a devoted following that books reservations weeks in advance. The Lancelot has served its signature slow-roasted prime rib since 1969, the wood-paneled dining room and creekside patio embodying the warm mountain atmosphere that defines Vail hospitality.

For families seeking casual fare between matches, The Little Diner in Lionshead delivers hearty breakfast platters and lunch favorites in an atmosphere that welcomes muddy cleats and tournament exhaustion. Vendetta’s offers Italian classics and pizza with substantial outdoor seating perfect for summer evenings, while Mountain Standard brings wood-fired cooking and a rustic aesthetic to the Vail Village dining scene. Joe’s Famous Deli, an old-school establishment on Bridge Street, serves housemade ice cream alongside deli sandwiches, providing the kind of post-match fuel that young athletes crave.

The tournament weekend offers opportunities to venture beyond the immediate village. Piney River Ranch sits about twelve miles north of Vail, where a pristine alpine lake reflects the surrounding peaks and canoe rentals, horseback rides, and lakeside dining create a genuine mountain escape. White-water rafting outfitters lead trips down the Eagle and Colorado Rivers, with options ranging from gentle family floats to Class IV rapids that challenge experienced paddlers. The 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company operates a tasting room on Bridge Street where parents can sample Colorado-crafted bourbon and rye while children explore the village’s many ice cream shops and candy stores.

The Kick It 3v3 format creates a particular tournament rhythm, with shorter matches and rotating schedules that leave ample time for families to experience Vail between competition. This isn’t the all-consuming travel tournament that consumes entire weekends in anonymous sports complexes; it’s an event designed around the understanding that the destination matters as much as the competition. Young players develop skills and competitive spirit while their families discover why Vail has earned its reputation as one of Colorado’s most complete mountain towns, a place where culture, cuisine, and natural beauty converge at an elevation that makes every breath feel earned.

Late July brings Vail’s summer event calendar to peak intensity, with the Bravo! Vail Music Festival and free concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater overlapping the tournament dates and offering evening entertainment beneath the stars. The Vail Farmers Market runs every Sunday, its tents filling East Meadow Drive with local produce, artisan goods, and the kind of community atmosphere that defines mountain town life. Whether your family comes primarily for soccer or uses the tournament as an excuse to explore one of Colorado’s premier alpine destinations, the combination creates memories that outlast any single match result.

Book a vacation rental on Lake.com and settle into accommodations that let you wake to mountain views, gather around kitchen tables for team dinners, and experience Vail the way locals do, with space to spread out and a home base that becomes part of the adventure. The tournament provides the occasion; the mountains provide everything else.