After seven previous editions of the Corporate Cup, its founders wouldn’t quite say they’ve figured out how to run the annual soccer event “smoothly,” but they have kept finding ways to try to grow the game.

Since its first edition, played at St. Bonaventure in 2017 with a boys game between New York and Pennsylvania high school players, the NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase has added more opportunities: first with a girls game in the second annual, then with the addition of a Gold/Silver format, with four games now, two for each gender. It’s also hopped from venue to venue, with the stated goal of alternating states each year.

So after playing at Allegany-Limestone’s turf facility in 2023, co-founders Kris Linderman and Dave Talbot sought out a Pennsylvania site, settling on Kane Area High School. The Corporate Cup’s four games are set for Sunday, July 28, at Kane: girls silver at noon, boys silver at 2:30 p.m., girls gold at 5 p.m. and boys gold at 7:30 p.m..

“Our goal was to have it in Pennsylvania this year,” Linderman said. “And then keep in mind, Pitt-Bradford was under construction, so that was off the table. We’ve used Bradford High School before, so we were looking for a different venue, but something centralized to our central location, which is kind of the Allegany/St. Bonaventure-Bradford area. So Kane’s a little bit out of the box. But they’ve got a brand new turf field and we thought, you know, let’s experiment a little bit.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been afraid to take chances. And I think this (playing in Kane) is one of those opportunities where we can do that and kind of maybe introduce some new people to the event.”

ORGANIZERS HAVE spent months promoting the games, particularly on multiple social media platforms featuring the many players from various schools. A new advertising initiative put billboards on Route 219 and Route 6.

Entertainment isn’t limited to the play on the pitch: each game will have a pregame ceremony starting 30 minutes prior, and multiple options to play at halftime. So far, six food trucks are confirmed to be on hand for a variety of eating options.

“I don’t think anything ever really goes smoothly,” Linderman said. “I think there’s always bumps in the road that we have to navigate around and try to come up with solutions to some issues. And that happens every year. But I think we are able to adjust quickly. And we’re able to solve problems quickly. So this year’s been no different in that aspect where we’ve had to figure out some issues.”

Halftime entertainment includes Big Wheel racing and ‘Bubble Soccer,’ along with the chance for youth players to play on smaller nets. To participate in the Big Wheel race or bubble games, an announcement will be made over the public address alerting attendees of the chance to sign up by social media with a direct message on Instagram.

The final game of the day will also feature a live band for pregame walk-out music and during warm-ups.

“Ultimately our goal is to get as many people there as possible for these players and to make it an event that they can remember and create memories and things of that type,” Linderman said. “This definitely isn’t your regular soccer game, or your regular soccer event. We’re trying to pack as much in as possible.”

In under a decade, it’s expanded from one game to four. The rosters include 175 players from 45 schools on both sides of the state border. One distinction the Corporate Cup holds from other similar showcases in the area is that it’s open to high schoolers from all ages, not just seniors.

“Two years ago, we switched to the gold-silver format, because so many players wanted to be involved,” Linderman said. “I mean, we never anticipated that this event would get this big, which is great. But at the same time, it takes so much more work than the previous years. We’ve never been afraid of the work. It just becomes more taxing and more time-consuming. And that’s what we had to work through this year.”

AN ALUMNI game is also set for the day before, being played at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.

Linderman encouraged the public to come out on Sunday to catch a game, or multiple. The games still have free admission, though those wishing to support can buy a program and/or make a donation.

“We talk about supporting kids a lot, like ‘we’ as the public in general,” he said. “And then when these events come up, people say, ‘Oh, I gotta mow the lawn,’ or ‘I gotta do this, I gotta do that.’ I mean, take a couple hours out of your day and actually come and watch these players and let them see you there. That’s what they’re going to remember. They’re going to remember that you attended their game or that event.

“And rather than asking them after the fact, ‘How did you do’ or ‘How did it go,’ come see for yourself. Get some pictures with them there, things of that type where that’s what we’re really trying to focus on making an event that the kids can value, making an event that the kids can have something that they remember forever and be proud of being a part of.”