Annual NM Soccer Classic (formerly The Pilot Cup)

Click to watch the FAQs Video!

Held annually the week after Memorial Day
This year’s dates:  May 27-June 1, 2025

About the Tournament

  • Started in 2000
  • Formerly known as the Pilot Cup (from the days when LA Times’ Pilot Cup sponsored)
  • Now sponsored by Cost Mesa United 
  • Open to Newport-Mesa Unified & area private schools 
  • Has grown from 500 players to thousands 
  • Built and run entirely by volunteers
  • Known as “the greatest community pick-up soccer tournament in the nation.”

THE TOURNAMENT THAT IS MEANT TO BE PLAYED! (not just won)

SJB Legacy

  • Long-standing tradition of entering teams annually at all skill levels
  • Several championship wins over the years 

Who can participate?

  • Boys and Girls Grades 3-6
  • SHIN GUARDS ARE REQUIRED

Where is the tournament held?

  • Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex (Costa Mesa) and surrounding fields 

Team Formation

  • SJB players evaluated yearly for team placement 
  • NO CUTS! EVERYONE MAKES A TEAM! 
  • Teams formed by age and skill level
  • ALL SJB teams are coached by SJB volunteers 
  • Each coach sets their own practice days & times 
  • Priority: Fun and community spirit!

Fun fact: The entire tournament is run by volunteers!  Coaches, refs, schedulers, liaisons, organizers, parking attendants… Everyone is a volunteer.  Not $1 is made on this tournament.  

Scheduling

  • TOURNAMENT HELD ANNUALLY THE WEEK AFTER MEMORIAL DAY
  • Every team is guaranteed 2 games Tues-Fri
  • You win, you keep playing for the “cup” over the weekend 
  • Game schedules are usually released the week before the tournament

Winners get to take the trophy to their school for the whole year!
 

Soccer Gear
Every year we share a bin of outgrown and pre-loved soccer gear in the front office.  Please feel free to take what you need for your tournament player!  And please consider donating any items your child has outgrown to our collection. 

How to sign up

  • Fill out the ONLINE FORM 
  • Bring $10 to the school office (this cost includes the t-shirt your child will wear in the tournament)
  • Teams will be formed based on age/ grade division, volunteer coach availability, and skill level to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all involved - especially our kids! 
  • Everyone makes a team***.  There are no cuts!  

***We will field as many teams as we have coaching support for!  This varies by year.  Reach out to volunteer to help coach and help us take on as many kids as possible!

  • Once a team is formed, you’ll be invited to the team What’sApp group – this tool helps us communicate about practices, field locations, any changes during the tournament, questions, share photos and videos and add parents or other caregivers without needing to start an entirely new text thread :)

Contact: 

^Tournament rules, schedules, fields, and more are updated each year on the website as we get closer to tournament week.