Decatur to host NAIA national soccer tournament this fall
May 12—Decatur is adding another national tournament to Jack Allen Recreation Complex's schedule with the announcement Monday that the city will host the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Women's Soccer National Championship in 2026 and 2027. Mayor Kent Lawrence and Marc Burchard, NAIA director of championships, announced the two-year agreement at a press conference on Monday afternoon. As part of the agreement, the city will host the national title tournament featuring 16 teams.
This year's tourney will be Nov. 30 through Dec. 7.
Burchard and Lawrence made the announcement while the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women's National Lacrosse Championship were being played behind them on Jack Allen's championship field. The women started Monday, and the men's national tournament begins Tuesday. They will alternate days until the women's championship on Friday and the men's title game on Saturday.
Both matches start at 5 p. m. Burchard said he believes NAIA has "forged a great partnership with the city.
" It's a return to Decatur for the NAIA. The association held its national championship tournament for 11 years at Wilson Morgan Park through 2010. The Southern States Athletic Conference held its conference tournament at Wilson Morgan in 2023.