Modesto World Cup watch party hopes to increase youth soccer access amid rising costs
As the cost of youth soccer programs continues to climb, the State Theatre and its community partners are hoping a World Cup watch party will bring more kids to the pitch.
The State Theatre is hosting a World Cup Watch Party at noon on Friday, July 10, and all proceeds will go toward supporting youth soccer scholarships and financial assistance programs. Tickets are $35 for adults and $12 for kids and can be purchased online.
Lower income families are less likely to have children in sports. A survey from the Kinetica Group found that 50% of children in families who make under $50,000 per year participate in recreational sports. That number rises to 80% for families who make over $100,000 annually.
Nick Dennehy, one of the organizers and sponsors of the event, has two sons in soccer. He said he has watched the prices for club registration, travel, hotels and uniforms go through the roof over the years.
“They’re not playing travel or competitive soccer because the costs have gone through the roof over the last four to five years, if not more,” Dennehy said. “Uniforms alone are like, some teams are four or 500 bucks.”
Children from low-income households were three times less likely to play on traveling teams than those from high-income homes, according to a survey from Project Play of the Aspen Institute. Costs, time constraints and travel are all barriers to participation.
It cost families an average of $910 to put their child in soccer in 2024, according to Project Play. This is up from $537 in 2019, a 69.5% increase.
Total youth soccer spending amounts to over $5 billion per year, more than any other sport, according to the Kinetica Group survey.
With the event approaching, general manager Gabi Guerrini said the State Theatre has not sold many tickets. She said the theater can accommodate 500 people and wants “to sell way more tickets to help support their cause.”
The funds raised will go in a general pool that any local team can apply for at the event or after, Dennehy said. He said he doesn’t want only one soccer club to benefit from this.
Those who purchase a ticket will receive a burrito, beer or NÜTRL hard seltzer and tequila tasting, in addition to watching the game on the big screen.
“World Cup matches are so fun to watch on a large screen,” Guerrini said in her email.
In addition to the game, the event will also include a silent auction. At least four or five local teams will donate baskets to be auctioned off. West Orthodontics also provided an Invisalign treatment plan that attendees can bid on. Dennehy said there is a minimum price that has to be reached before it will be sold, though.
The event is sponsored by Collins Electrical Company, Pacific Coast Sales, Dennehy Dental Supply, Fiscalini Farmstead, George’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill and the Standard Pub. Dennehy said most of the sponsors have children who play in the soccer clubs.
Dennehy said he hopes to grow this event over the next couple of years to expand beyond the World Cup and increase kids’ access to soccer.
“With rising costs in the area, just being able to help as many kids, be able to be out of the house playing soccer,” Dennehy said. “I think that just levels the playing field.”
