Million dollar tournament coming to RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A major soccer tournament is coming to Rhode Island and it's expected to bring in at least a million dollars in tax revenue to the state.

“Tourism is a huge part of economy here in Rhode Island, so I’m very, very happy here today to announce that as governor of Rhode Island, we will be hosting the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Tournament,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee.

The youth soccer tournament will be played on fields at the University of Rhode Island in late June and early July in both 2013 and 2014.

“It’s a tremendous amount, it involves several million dollars, and we expect just in pure tax revenue for the region to be between three-quarters of a million dollars and a million dollars in tax revenue,” said John Gibbons, Executive Director of Rhode Island Sports Commission.

An estimated 24,000 people are expected to converge for a total of 12 days over both years.

More than 4,500 players will participate in the tournament and an estimated 10,000 spectators from throughout the northeast region will visit Rhode Island.

“This is why I brought it here, because it’s important to me. To see Rhode Island feel better about itself and I think this will help,” said Bob Palmeiro, Region 1 Director of US Youth Soccer. “We as a state do not appreciate what we have. It’s always a half empty glass, never a half full glass with us. This is a half full glass. So, I’m proud of this.”

At least 25,500 Rhode Island and Connecticut hotels rooms will be booked over the next two years.