Pasadena youth who competed in a free World Cup Soccer Tournament at Robinson Park on Friday, July 24 are set to play their championship matches inside Rose Bowl Stadium on Sunday, August 2.

The city-hosted tournament, run in partnership with the Dena United Foundation, features boys' and girls' divisions for students in grades 7–9 and 10–12, with up to eight teams per division. All games are 15 minutes long. The tournament is free and open to players ages 12 to 18.

Opening rounds took place at Robinson Turf Field, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m., according to the city's event page. The championship round moves to the Rose Bowl, according to a promotional flyer from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department reported by Pasadena Now.

That gives local kids a rare chance to compete on one of the most recognizable fields in American sports, the same turf set to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer.

Part of Parks After Dark

The soccer tournament falls under Parks After Dark, the city's free summer recreation program now in its 15th season. The program runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from July 9 through August 14 at seven locations across Pasadena, operated in partnership with the Pasadena Police Department as part of a violence-prevention effort.

This year's Parks After Dark season also added hands-on STEM programming led by Caltech scientists and engineers at select events, a first for the program.

The Dena United Foundation is providing referees and field setup for the soccer tournament. Teams, not individual players, register to compete.

How to sign up

Teams can register at cityofpasadena.net/reserve. For program details, call (626) 744-6530 or (626) 744-7330. For accessibility information or accommodation requests, call (626) 744-7311.

The city has not published a start time for the August 2 title matches at the Rose Bowl.