Soccer Travel Is Worth It: A Parent’s Perspective

This post contains links to some of our OSMD Insiders who are paid sponsors.

Are Internationals Soccer Trips Worth It?

I was recently having a conversation with David Winner who runs Winner GK Academy and is a coach with Crew Academy and former Crew player. One thing that he said that struck me was in his reflection of his recent trip to the UK with the Crew Academy U15s was how much the game is a part of the culture and the mentality of the players. He said “you don’t even have to be a fan of the game to see how much the game is a part of everyday life, as a fan it makes your hair stand,” he continued by saying “you are walking down the street in one of the biggest cities in the world and you just come across a stadium.” These kids are literally growing up in the shadows of the stadiums.

When my son turned 12, we celebrated his birthday in London. Instead of cake and candles, his day was filled with soccer — the kind of soccer that shapes memories for a lifetime. It was part of a youth soccer tour, and looking back now, I can honestly say that trip was one of my favorite memories of his childhood. A lot of my favorite memories involve soccer travel.

I know what you might be thinking: “Isn’t this just another expensive youth sports add-on?” Believe me, I asked myself the same thing before we went. But what we gained went far beyond soccer, and I want to share why I think trips like these are worth it for families who love the game.

More Than a Family Vacation

Family vacations are irreplaceable — I’d never suggest otherwise. But soccer tours offer something different. They combine travel with a passion your child already loves, opening their eyes to the global soccer community.

Instead of just being tourists, kids become participants in a culture where soccer is not just a sport, but a way of life. They meet players from around the world, experience different styles of play, and see firsthand that soccer really is the universal language.

The Elite Tournaments Experience

One of the highlights for us was made possible by the Southampton Cup, hosted by Elite Tournaments in Maryland in partnership with Southampton FC. From the moment we arrived, it felt different from anything we’d experienced.

Premier League games were streaming while youth matches were being played. Merch tents lined the venue. Kids could do baseline testing. Man of the Match awards were handed out after games. It felt like a true soccer festival — immersive and exciting.

And then came the unforgettable moment: our kids played a match against Southampton Academy players. For our boys, it wasn’t just a game — it was a glimpse into the intensity, speed, and physicality of elite-level soccer.

From this event, players were also selected to attend an Elite Training experience abroad with Southampton FC, making the pathway even more meaningful.

During each trip Elite Tournaments would try to get the boys out to as many professional games as possible. One of the most impactful moments was watching an EFL Championship game at Portsmouth. It wasn’t the polished Premier League like we see on TV, and the homeside wasn’t very good but there was something raw, gritty, and deeply cultural. That’s when I understood: soccer isn’t just a game or entertainment there. It’s a cornerstone of life.

Elite Tournaments no longer hosts this specific event, but they are partnering with Celtic FC, hosting the Celtic Soccer Academy Elite Cup this December 6–7, 2025, in Howard County, Maryland.

"At Elite Tournaments, we are proud to partner with Celtic FC and the Celtic Soccer Academy to bring this world-class youth event to Maryland. The Celtic Soccer Academy Elite Cup is more than just competition; it is an opportunity for players, families, and fans to experience the culture, values, and tradition of one of the most historic football clubs in the world. We look forward to creating an unforgettable weekend that inspires young athletes both on and off the field,” said Kiley Graham, Associate Director of International Tours and Business Operations at Elite Tournaments.

Other Ways Kids Travel

My oldest son traveled to England one other time, Soccer Field Academy also has a partnership with Southampton FC, and they take teams. He joined one of these tours, when he was playing for Saints International Academy. He traveled when he was 13 — without me, just with his teammates and coaches. For a very helicoptery mom like me, it was the perfect chance for him to gain independence, confidence, and experience away from home.

Other opportunities are available among our other OSMD Insiders.

• Elite Tournaments: Host the Celtic Soccer Academy Elite Cup and the subsequent training experience and tour in Scotland.

• Global Sports Experiences: Focus on the team aspect, combining tournaments with the cultural side of travel.

• Football Forward: Trips lean into high-level access — world-class coaches, pro academy environments, and real opportunities to be seen at an advanced level.

• US Club Soccer’s ID2 Program selects players to attend international trips at no cost, aside from covering their own travel, for most Ohio Players this starts with the Great Lakes Alliance ID2 and PDP hosted in August.

• USYS ODP (via OSA in Ohio) allows ODP participant to sign up for travel opportunities.

These programs make global soccer experiences accessible to players who want to challenge themselves. Other clubs throughout the state also take team trips.

How It Changed My Son

Coming home, my son carried something new with him. He saw how fast and physical the game could be played. He saw what dedication looked like up close. And he returned with a deeper sense of joy and seriousness about the game. His second trip was even more special traveling with teammates who have become lifelong friends.  One of the kids on his second trip now plays for the Crew and the USNT others are playing for DI, DII and DIII schools around the country. Those who are no longer playing are still friends with cherished memories.

That experience is hard to recreate in a local training environment. It took being immersed in a soccer culture bigger than himself.

Why It’s Worth the Investment

When other parents ask me why we chose a soccer tour instead of “just” a vacation, my answer is simple: both are valuable, but this is different.

A vacation gives rest and family bonding. A soccer tour gives your child perspective — that the game they love is part of something global. They see more players, more styles, more pathways, and more community. It broadens their world, and sometimes even their dreams.

Final Advice to Parents

If you have the time and means, my advice is simple: go. Don’t overthink it. These tours are investments, yes, and they are part of a business, but they’re also rare opportunities. For many kids, they’re once-in-a-lifetime.

At the end of the day, for me, it’s not just about soccer. It’s about giving my child the chance to see the game — and the world — in a new way. And years later, when you look back, you’ll realize you didn’t just give them a trip. You gave them perspective and a memory.