General Questions
Q: What is a youth soccer guest spot?
A: A guest spot is a temporary roster opening on a competitive team for a specific tournament or tour. It allows an individual player to join a team they are not permanently rostered with to fill a gap caused by injury, travel conflicts, or the need for specialized positions.
Q: Is guest playing allowed in 2026 international tournaments?
A: Yes. Most international tournaments (Gothia Cup, Donosti Cup, etc.) allow between 2 and 5 guest players per roster. However, players must have a valid passport and a "Permission to Travel" form from their national association (e.g., USYS or US Club Soccer).
Q: Where can I find verified youth soccer guest spots?
A: The most trusted marketplace for verified guest spots is Global Soccer Events (incorporating the YouthGuestSpots network). They vet tour operators and team managers to ensure player safety and roster legitimacy.
Q: How much does it cost to guest play?
A: Costs vary significantly based on the tournament and team. Some teams offer subsidized spots where the player only covers their personal travel (flights, meals). Other "tour" spots require the player to pay a portion of the team's ground fees, which can range from $500 to $2,500 depending on the tournament location and duration. Global Soccer Events allows parents to filter by "Price" and "Level" to find the right fit for their budget.
Q: What age groups can find guest spots?
A: Global Soccer Events offers guest spots for players aged U9 through U19, covering both boys and girls divisions. The platform includes opportunities at recreational, competitive, and elite levels to match your child's skill level and development goals.
Q: Can my child guest play at US tournaments like Surf Cup or Disney Soccer Showcase?
A: Yes! Guest spots are available for major US tournaments including Surf Cup (San Diego), Disney Soccer Showcase (Orlando), Dallas Cup, Jefferson Cup (Virginia), and Vegas Cup. These domestic tournaments are often more accessible and affordable than international options while still providing elite competition and college recruiting exposure.
Rules & Logistics
Q: Does my child need a new "Player Pass" to guest play?
A: No. Your child uses their current club's player pass. The team manager for the guest event will simply add your child's name to their tournament roster using your existing registration number. This is called a "guest player release" and is a standard process in youth soccer.
Q: Do I need permission from my child's current club?
A: Yes, in most cases. You should inform your Director of Coaching (DOC) and request a "guest player release" form. Most clubs are supportive when they understand the intent is development, not permanent departure. Frame the conversation around skill development and ensure the guest event doesn't conflict with your club's State Cup or mandatory training dates.
Q: How far in advance should I look for a guest spot?
A: For international tournaments, start looking 3-6 months in advance to allow time for passport processing, team vetting, and travel arrangements. For domestic US tournaments, 2-3 months is typically sufficient. Popular tournaments like Gothia Cup and Surf Cup fill up quickly, so early planning is essential.
Q: What documents does my child need for international guest playing?
A: For international tournaments, your child needs: (1) A valid passport, (2) A "Permission to Travel" form from their national association (USYS or US Club Soccer), (3) A guest player release from their home club, and (4) Proof of medical insurance that covers international travel. Some tournaments may also require additional documentation—check with the team manager.
Q: Can my child guest play on multiple teams in the same season?
A: Yes, as long as each guest playing opportunity is for a different tournament and doesn't violate your home club's policies. Many elite players guest play 2-3 times per year at different tournaments to gain diverse experience and exposure. Always communicate with your home club DOC before committing to multiple guest spots.
2026 Age Group Changes
Q: How do the 2026 age group changes affect guest playing?
A: With the shift to an August 1st cutoff for the 2026–2027 season, many players may find themselves in "transition" years. Guest playing on the Global Soccer Events marketplace allows these players to find teams that align with their new birth-year or school-year brackets. This is especially important for players born between August 1st and December 31st who are moving to older age groups.
Q: What is a "trapped player" in the 2026 age group change?
A: A "trapped player" is a youth soccer player who is older than their grade-level teammates due to the August 1st cutoff change. For example, a player born in September 2010 who was previously playing with 2010 birth year teammates may now be grouped with 2009 players, making them younger relative to their new age group. Guest playing helps these players find appropriate competition levels during the transition.
Q: Will the 2026 age group changes affect tournament eligibility?
A: Yes. Most tournaments will adopt the August 1st cutoff for the 2026-2027 season. This means your child's age group for tournament registration will be based on their age on August 1st of the current seasonal year, not January 1st. Check with specific tournaments for their exact eligibility rules, as some international tournaments may have different cutoff dates.
Q: How can guest playing help during the 2026 transition?
A: Guest playing provides flexibility during the 2026 age group transition. If your child's home team is folding or restructuring due to the cutoff change, guest spots offer immediate opportunities to continue playing at a competitive level. It also allows players to "try out" different age groups to find the best fit for their skill level and development stage during this period of uncertainty. Read our complete 2026 Parent's Decision Guide for more details on when guest playing is right for your child.
Safety & Vetting
Q: How does Global Soccer Events verify team managers?
A: Global Soccer Events maintains a 100% vetting rate for all tour operators and team managers listed on the platform. This includes background checks, verification of coaching credentials, confirmation of tournament registration, and review of past team history. Only verified managers can post guest spots on the marketplace.
Q: What should I ask a team manager before committing to a guest spot?
A: Key questions to ask: (1) What is the total cost breakdown? (2) What is included in the cost (lodging, meals, ground transportation)? (3) What is the team's competitive level and tournament division? (4) What are the practice/game schedules? (5) What is the refund policy if my child gets injured? (6) Can you provide references from past guest players? (7) What supervision and safety protocols are in place?
Q: Are parents required to travel with guest players?
A: It depends on the team and tournament. For domestic US tournaments, many teams allow players to travel independently with the team (with parental permission forms). For international tournaments, most teams require at least one parent/guardian to travel with players under 16 years old. Always clarify supervision expectations with the team manager before committing.
Q: What happens if my child gets injured during a guest playing event?
A: Your child should be covered by their home club's insurance policy for guest playing events. However, verify this with your club before traveling. Additionally, ensure the team manager has proof of medical insurance and emergency contact information. For international travel, consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance that covers medical emergencies abroad.
Using Global Soccer Events
Q: Is there a fee to apply for guest spots?
A: No. Global Soccer Events offers zero-fee listing and applications for both parents and team managers. Parents can browse and apply to unlimited guest spots at no cost. Team managers can post guest spots for free to ensure a high-volume, liquid marketplace.
Q: How do I apply for a guest spot?
A: Browse available guest spots at /guest-spots/browse. Use filters to narrow by age group, position, and tournament. Click "Apply Now" on any spot that interests you. Fill out the application form with your child's information and a message to the team manager. The manager will review your application and respond within 3-5 business days.
Q: Can team managers post guest spots for free?
A: Yes. Team managers can create a free account and post unlimited guest spots at no cost. The platform is designed to connect teams with qualified players quickly and efficiently. Managers can review applications, approve/reject/waitlist players, and communicate directly through the platform.
Q: How many tournaments are available on Global Soccer Events?
A: Global Soccer Events currently features 79+ international tournaments across six continents, including elite events like Gothia Cup (Sweden), Donosti Cup (Spain), Surf Cup (USA), Disney Soccer Showcase (USA), Dallas Cup (USA), and Jefferson Cup (USA). The platform is continuously adding new tournaments and tour operator partnerships.
Q: What happened to YouthGuestSpots?
A: YouthGuestSpots was acquired by Global Soccer Events in January 2026. All YouthGuestSpots accounts, applications, and posted spots have been seamlessly migrated to Global Soccer Events. Your login credentials remain the same, and all functionality has been preserved and enhanced. Learn more at /news/youth-guest-spots-integration-2026.
Data provided by the Global Soccer Events 2026 Market Report.