MIDDLETOWN, Pa. March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Soccer Shots, the nation’s leading children’s soccer program, celebrates its 20th birthday, marking two decades of positively impacting the lives of children and families through sport and community. Founded in 1997 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by two professional soccer players, Soccer Shots has grown from a small local program into a globally recognized leader in youth sports education. With over 300 franchises across the U.S. and Canada and more than 500,000 children participating annually, Soccer Shots is on track to reach its goal of serving one million children by 2025.
Soccer Shots has always been about more than just soccer. The program inspires children to lead active, healthy lives, boosts their confidence, and teaches important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and respect.
“Our mission is to use soccer as a vehicle to make a positive difference in the lives of children and communities,” said Justin Bredeman, CEO of Soccer Shots. “We’re honored to have spent 20 years building not only foundational soccer skills, but also strong, confident kids who will carry these lessons with them for life.”
To celebrate the 20th birthday milestone, Soccer Shots is launching a year-long series of special events and initiatives, including the highly anticipated National Free Fun Days. From Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, July 27, families across North America are invited to experience the joy of Soccer Shots firsthand at no cost. This synchronized celebration, hosted in each of Soccer Shots’ markets, will feature engaging soccer activities, family-friendly entertainment, and an opportunity to connect with the local community – especially as players and fans look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In addition, Soccer Shots is excited to give back to communities across the country — underscoring its continued commitment to making soccer accessible, inclusive, and impactful for children of all abilities and backgrounds. In honor of its 20th birthday, Soccer Shots will host food donation drives nationwide, encouraging families to bring non-perishable items to be donated to those in need through Feeding America and local food banks. This act of service will be spearheaded by Soccer Shots franchises, encouraging participation from the local community over the course of several weeks.
Since its inception, Soccer Shots has been recognized for its innovative and developmentally appropriate curriculum, fully trained coaches, and emphasis on teaching children both soccer and life skills. The program’s impact extends far beyond the soccer field, reaching communities from Austin, Texas, to Ottawa, Canada, and everywhere in between.
For more information about Soccer Shots and its 20th birthday celebration, visit birthday.soccershots.com. Families and media are encouraged to follow the excitement throughout the year by connecting and engaging with Soccer Shots on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.
About Soccer Shots
Soccer Shots is the nation’s most trusted and engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Over the past 20 years, Soccer Shots has positively impacted the lives of more than 500,000 children annually through its best-in-class coaching, communication, and curriculum. With a presence in over 300 locations across North America, Soccer Shots provides fun, enriching soccer experiences to children ages 2 to 8 while instilling values like teamwork, respect, and confidence. As it celebrates its 20th birthday, Soccer Shots looks forward to continuing its mission to transform lives through soccer and serve one million children annually by 2025.