City For Champions Cup Returns to Weidner Field

Two years ago, Colorado College and the Air Force Academy partnered with the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and moved their annual women’s soccer game to Weidner Field in an effort to build a unique signature event in Colorado Springs. Following tremendous success of the City For Champions Cup, the two institutions have signed a long-term contract to cement the future of the event through 2029. Last year, close to 1500 people attended the game, which also serves as the Mountain West’s regular-season finale for each team. The event also included a pre-game panel celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.

“We are thrilled to continue to build upon the momentum of this event moving forward,” Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine said. “This is a great example of leaders in the community coming together around the widespread commitment to sport in Colorado Springs to build unique experiences. The interest in women’s sports in this country is at all time high and we are excited to add to that.”

Participation in women’s soccer is reaching new heights and CC and Air Force are two local teams championing that movement. The City for Champions Cup aims to showcase the talent of these young women in the hopes of inspiring other young women and girls to learn and grow the sport of soccer.

“The City for Champions Cup at Weidner Field has been a nice way for Air Force to continue its athletic outreach in the Colorado Springs community,” Air Force Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. “The game has been a great way to showcase women’s sports in our city and we will continue to look at innovative ways to grow the game. A thank you is owed to the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Colorado Springs Switchbacks and of course our neighbors from Colorado College for their collaboration in the City for Championships Cup.”

This fall’s contest is set to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at 6:00 pm.

“At Sports Corp, we believe that sports have the power to unite communities and inspire individuals to reach their full potential,” said Megan Leatham, President & CEO of Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. “Due to the success of the City for Champions game, we have decided to add an ancillary event, the Golden Hour Social, to add another dimension.”

The Golden Hour Social Event, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, adds to the overall experience, highlighting the importance of community engagement and collaboration in fostering the next generation of athletes and leaders. This exclusive networking gathering, hosted by Sports Corp, aims to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Division I sports teams in men’s hockey and women’s soccer from both institutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with players, coaches, and other distinguished guests, sharing insights and forging connections that extend beyond the playing field. Having opened in 2021 as part of the City for Champions initiative, Weidner Field is an 8,000- person capacity venue located in downtown Colorado Springs. It will continue to be the host site for the City for Champions Cup between the city’s two NCAA Division I women’s soccer
programs for the next six years.
 
“Hosting the biggest local women’s soccer matchup is exactly why Weidner Field exists,” President of Switchbacks FC Nick Ragain said. “Credit to CC and Air Force for growing this Mountain West competition. It’s an honor to participate in elevating the women’s game.”

What Others are Saying:

Colorado College Head Coach Keri Sanchez
“Our team is so excited for the opportunity to continue playing at Weidner Field. We appreciate the support from CC and our athletic department for this event. We look forward to continuing to build the City for Champions Cup and highlight the women’s soccer teams from CC and Air
Force.”

Air Force Head Coach Lauren Busby
“We are thrilled that the City for Champions Cup has been extended through 2029. It shows the support that both schools have for women’s sports and the impact we can have on the Colorado Springs community. Our hope is that young girls come out to watch our inspiring group of females, cadet student-athletes and are empowered to pursue a similar path.”

About Colorado College 
Colorado College is a nationally prominent, four-year liberal arts college that was founded in Colorado Springs in 1874. The athletics department includes two NCAA Division I sports (men’s hockey and women’s soccer) and 15 Division III sports, as well as several intramural and club sport opportunities. In 1970 the college created the Block Plan, in which its approximately 2,300 undergraduate students take one class at a time in intensive 3½-week segments. The college also offers a master of arts in teaching degree.  Creativity & Innovation, The Arts at CC — which also encompasses the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College — and the college’s antiracism commitment are among key initiatives.

About the United States Air Force Academy  
Air Force is comprised of a 27-sport intercollegiate program, plus physical education, and intramurals with a mission to develop leaders of character through athletic experiences. The vision of Air Force athletics is to inspire a lifetime of service to the Air Force, Space Force, and nation, provide challenging leadership experiences in a mentally and physically demanding environment, forge a Warrior Ethos that instills the will to win and create exceptional stakeholder and public experiences to promote the Academy, Air Force and Space Force.
 
About the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (CSSC) exists to inspire and advance Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, and the Pikes Peak Region through sport and community events. Through event promotion and community development activities, CSSC plays a critical role in bringing civic leaders together with some of the nation’s premier sporting organizations to promote tourism and create positive economic impact. CSSC hosts annual signature and partnership events including The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit, Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off, Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, Pikes Peak APEX, Pikes Peak Regional Airshow, Rocky Mountain State Games, Star-Spangled Symphony & Fourth of July Fireworks, Downtown Summer Fest, and various sport centric celebrations. In addition, supporting the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, National and International Governing Bodies of Sport, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum remains a staple component of the overall mission. For more
information on the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation visit our website: SportsCorp.org.

About Weidner Field Back in 2018, the Switchbacks teamed up with Colorado Sports and Events Center’s City for Champions project to create a state-of-the-art multipurpose venue for professional, Olympic, and amateur events in downtown Colorado Springs. The private investment was supplemented
by State Tax Incremental Fund monies through the Regional Tourism Act (City for Champions.) No local tax dollars were used for construction or operations. In May of 2021, The Switchbacks unveiled the new Weidner Field, an 8,000-seat soccer stadium featuring three luxury club levels,
concessions developed by 6035 Hospitality, and state of the art LED viewing screens. The field is composed of the first ever FIFA approved corkonut turf and provides a balanced and springy field for players. Weidner Field also includes ‘The Epicenter’, a 35-foot-tall sculpture that dominates the Northeast corner in a representative display of the community in Colorado Springs. The ramps leading up to the stadium feature a “switchbacks” aesthetic, that is both functional and provides a stunning vista of the entirety of Weidner Field.

To be updated on this event and other Weidner Field events, click HERE