Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation Announce Opening Schedule of Six Brand-New Soccer Mini-Pitches

September 11, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC and its charitable partner RAVE Foundation today announced the full schedule for the upcoming openings of six brand-new soccer mini-pitches, with multiple events taking place this fall at different locations throughout Washington. The initiative is a continuation of RAVE’s campaign to build 26 small fields for free play and the Rave Green’s commitment to Defend the Right to Play for youth in communities where access to play-spaces is scarce.

RAVE announced its intention to double the initial goal of building 26 soccer mini-pitches to 52 total fields earlier this year at the club’s Born in ’74 Gala, with the target date of completion in time for FIFA World Cup 2026™. RAVE’s initial campaign of building 26 soccer mini-pitches across Washington State is now ahead of schedule, with the anticipated opening of its 26th mini-pitch this fall.

RAVE Foundation opened its first-ever fan-funded soccer mini-pitch at Sylvester Middle School on September 6 in Burien, an initiative led by the club’s Alliance Council, supporters’ groups and fans. The event was presented in partnership with Highline Public Schools and included a brand-new, full-sized turf field supported by the district.

The opening ceremony was emceed by former Sounders FC captain and current club Brand Ambassador Brad Evans and Sounders FC alum Román Torres and included special appearances by city, district and school leaders as well as Sounders FC owners and front office leaders.

A full list of the five remaining mini-pitches scheduled to open this fall can be found below, with further details on each event forthcoming.

BALFOUR PARK OPENING CEREMONY – SEPTEMBER 19

Scheduled to open on Thursday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. PT, RAVE’s donation to Balfour Park at Spokane Valley includes a bright, hard-court surface soccer mini-pitch. RAVE has also committed to donating one soccer ball to every child that lives within a walkable mile of the park, as well as free soccer training opportunities through the organization and local program partners including Delta Air Lines and SeattleFWC26 – FIFA’s World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee.

The construction of the new mini-pitch at Balfour was possible thanks to the collaboration and support of community partners such as the City of Spokane Valley and the Spokane Valley Library. The field is the first RAVE small field built for free play in the…