Capital Cup Shows Positive Trajectory with New Location

Across a trio of complexes, 244 teams showed up last weekend to compete at this year's IWLCA Capital Cup held in Frederica, Delaware. A registered 213 coaches scouted 3,581 prospective student-athletes as 455 games were played over a three-day spread.

One of the IWLCA's largest National Tournaments of the series, this year's Capital Cup moved to Delaware from its previous site of the River City Sportsplex in Midlothian, Virginia, and Horner Park in Moseley, VA. The change brought along positive growth in teams, coaches, and officials as Elite Tournaments continues to collaborate with the IWLCA on ideas of expansion and new formats for the quickly growing IWLCA Tournament Series. 

"It was great hosting the IWLCA Capital Cup in Delaware for the first time," said IWLCA Executive Director Liz Robertshaw. "From the wide variety of teams playing to the solid college coach attendance from programs of every level, we saw a ton of positives and we are confident 2024 will be even better!" 

The event was kickstarted by the IWLCA Experience Clinic presented by Nike Lacrosse Friday evening. Roughly 53 young athletes had an opportunity to learn valuable skills and tactics from seven collegiate coaches the night before tournament mayhem. 

Saturday and Sunday presented many weather challenges but the final result left athletes, coaches, families and staff members happy and enthusiastic about the trajectory of the tournament series and the future opportunities that lie ahead.

"Despite high temperatures and unpredictable weather delays, we were excited to have the 224 teams in the Delaware region this year," stated Caitlin Schmeltz, Director of Lacrosse at Elite Tournaments. "Relocating this tournament to Delaware presented many positives, bringing an increased number of teams and college coaches to the event. We are determined to make 2024 even better by changing the format! All teams will still get four games BUT over a two-day span. We believe this change will be beneficial to both families and college coaches as it will give them more of an opportunity to maximize this summer weekend." 

Capital Cup, By The Numbers
213 IWLCA Member Coaches
224 Teams
455 Games Played/Officiated
3,581 Prospective Student-Athletes
35 States and Canada Represented
24 Fields (UMASS Amherst) 
88 officials
11,700+ Player Profile Views
910 Player of the Matches
53 Experience Clinic athletes (7 Coaches)

Coming up this weekend is the IWLCA Midwest Cup in St. Louis, Missouri, July 15-16. The tournament will be held at the Lou Fusz Athletic Complex in Maryland Heights. For more info, click here!