Copa Univision is celebrating a successful kickoff to its 11th season. The premier amateur 5v5 soccer tournament began this June in the Austin and Dallas markets with a 15 percent increase in team registrations (in Dallas, 336 teams participated) and a 22 percent increase in overall fan attendance. While the tournament is open to all, the majority of participants are Hispanic. The increase interest in Copa Univision has translated to more teams, more games, and greater competition on the field.
We know soccer continues to be the number one sport for Hispanic America and a 2015 Mintel Report also showed that playing sports is a top three leisure activity for Hispanic families. The growth in Copa Univision attendance shows what happens when you combine competitive soccer in a family-festival environment.
Here’s what else we’re seeing play out in this year’s tournament:
- Our 2017 Fanáticos Study found that 86% of Hispanic sports fans intend to pass on their passion for soccer to the next generation, regardless of gender. This year, Copa Univision has experienced a 25 percent increase in youth and female participants. Love for soccer lives on…and grows!
- The same study found that Hispanic sports fans carry the passion for the sport to their purchase decisions. Hispanics are more than twice as likely to buy or shop at stores they see partner with their favorite sports compared to than non-Hispanics.
Copa Univision is fulfilling its mission to provide the ultimate soccer experience for the entire family — inspiring players of all ages and genders to lace up their boots and get in the game. More and more brands are seeing the benefit of partnering with us to reach this passionate consumer. There are 9 tournaments yet to be played in the 2017 Copa Univision season. You can find dates, locations and registration information here. To learn how your brand can get involved, contact Brett Ehrlich at behrlich@univision.net.
Source: Mintel Marketing to Sports fans July 2016, “Los Fanáticos: Passion and Power” 2017 Study conducted in partnership with Nielsen