(MADISON) The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) is pleased to announce that the 2015 International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) will be holding their North American Championships in the Greater Madison area August 9-15, 2015 at Reddan Soccer Park in Verona. The Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) is a co-host of the American soccer event.

The IGLFA North American Championships tournament will feature approximately 250 competitors and their partners/family members. Organizers are expecting teams from all over North America to compete. The estimated economic impact of this weeklong event is just over $333,000 according to MASC estimates. “We’re excited to be hosting this North American Championship here in the Greater Madison area,” said Jamie Patrick, MASC’s vice-president. “Madison is the ideal destination to showcase this event as it dovetails perfectly with our affinity for soccer and our universal love of people that our progressive city embodies,” he added.

“We are very excited to host the 2015 IGLFA North American Championship II at MAYSA’s Reddan Soccer Park. IGLFA’s mission and enthusiasm for soccer are going to make our facility a very fun place to be in the middle of August if you are a fan of The Beautiful Game” said Chris Lay, Executive Director of MAYSA and Reddan Soccer Park. The IGLFA was founded in 1992 in order to help promote and foster the growth of LGBTQ football worldwide. Since IGLFA’s creation, more than 100 teams/clubs representing over 30 countries have joined and participated at IGLFA competitions. Each of these teams/clubs has played a vital role in helping IGLFA uphold its mission of “Equality through Football,” according to co-president Kimberly Hadley.

“The International Gay and Lesbian Football Association) is extremely pleased to have the 2015 IGLFA North American Championship II hosted by one of the most progressive cities in the USA, Madison, Wisconsin. It’s also exciting to know that Madison is one of the Top 10 sporting cities in the country so we should see a great local participation as well.

We are very excited to have the tournament hosted at a top quality venue and by experienced hosts who are working closely with our organization to put on a very enjoyable experience. We look forward to a fabulous tournament in a fantastic city!” she added.

The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) is the greater Madison area’s official sports marketing organization. Launched by the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2010, MASC is charged with elevating the recognition and awareness of the impact of sports tourism on the regional economy while serving the unique needs of the sports tourism business.