Military Teams Competed in Las Vegas Soccer Tournament
Eight military soccer teams participated in a three-day tournament held in Las Vegas from September 11 to 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Military soccer teams from eight Air Force and Space Force installations gathered in Las Vegas from September 11 to 13, 2026, for a memorial tournament. The competition honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks and showcased athletic skill among service members.
Why it matters
The tournament served as a dedicated tribute to those lost in the 9/11 attacks while fostering camaraderie and competition among military personnel. It allowed participants from various bases to unite through sport during the anniversary of the tragedy.
Eight military soccer teams from different installations competed in the three-day event. The tournament concluded with a championship match between Nellis Air Force Base and Joint Base San Antonio.
The players
Joint Base San Antonio
This major military installation serves as the primary base for the team that won the championship match.
Nellis Air Force Base
Located in Nevada, this installation hosted the memorial tournament and competed in the final match.
The details
The event opened with a formal memorial ceremony, including a wreath-laying and a moment of silence to commemorate 9/11 victims. Competition took place over three days, featuring teams from bases including Minot, Vandenberg, Luke, Hill, Kirtland, and Edwards.
Timeline
The tournament took place in Las Vegas from September 11 to September 13, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The tournament follows a national pattern of utilizing community athletic events to commemorate the lives lost during the September 11 attacks. This event highlights how military athletic programs leverage sports to maintain operational readiness and build morale across installations.
The victory by the Joint Base San Antonio team marks them as the inaugural champions of this multi-base event. The tournament format required high-level coordination between eight different Air Force and Space Force installations over the three-day period.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates how military organizations successfully integrate solemn memorial observations with structured competitive sports programs. It serves as a model for future military outreach and inter-base athletic development.
Further reading
For more news on local athletic competitions, visit Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aerotech News & Review.
