Free World Cup Soccer Clinics for Pittsburgh Youth July 4, 5 and 9, 2026
Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh’s youth are invited to get in on the action and energy of the World Cup through free soccer clinics on the home field of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers. The clinics are hosted by the City of Pittsburgh’s CitiParks, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, SportsPITTSBURGH, and Special Olympics Pennsylvania as part of the Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone.
"Thanks to VisitPA and the Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone, Pittsburgh will have the opportunity to celebrate the North American World Cup,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “These free clinics are a way for local youth and families to get involved in the World Cup and for our young athletes to learn soccer skills with professional coaches and get to play on the Steelers and Panthers’ home field.”
"These clinics are about creating opportunities for Pittsburgh's youth to feel connected to the excitement of the FIFA World Cup and the Fan Zone experience," said Eric Sloan, Director of CitiParks. "Whether a child is playing soccer for the first time or has been involved in the sport for years, we want them to have the chance to learn, play and make memories on one of the region's most recognizable stages."
Clinics will be led by soccer coaches from the USL champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy. Registration is required, but free for children aged 14 and under on July 4 and 5 with a clinic for Special Olympics athletes on July 9 hosted by the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Pennsylvania Fan Zone to provide Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to train on one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic fields and be part of the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup," said Andrew Fee, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. "Soccer has the power to bring people together, and this clinic will provide our athletes with the opportunity to learn from outstanding coaches, build confidence, and experience the excitement surrounding the world’s biggest sporting event right here in Pittsburgh. Opportunities like this demonstrate that sports truly are for everyone.”
The clinics will be held:
July 9 Special Olympics Athletes Clinic
"The World Cup is such a powerful and exciting global sports moment," says Jim Britt, Vice President of Sports Events at SportsPITTSBURGH. "We're proud to team up with these partners locally and across the Commonwealth to bring a piece of that momentum to our city, especially in a way that drives such meaningful community impact by engaging youth. Moments like this provide unique opportunities for a new generation of players and fans to experience the excitement of the world stage and highlight the power of sport to forge impact in our community.”
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About the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Established in 1999, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is Pennsylvania’s oldest professional soccer team and one of the longest-operating pro soccer teams in the United States. The team plays its home games at F.N.B. Stadium, which opened in 2013 as a team-owned, soccer-specific stadium in Pittsburgh’s South Shore neighborhood. The team is an original member of the USL Championship, one of the world’s largest second-division pro soccer leagues, and in 2025, the Hounds were victorious in claiming the team’s first league title.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Founded in 1970, Special Olympics Pennsylvania is part of a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than 15,000 athletes and Unified Sports partners statewide and more than 16,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Pennsylvania delivers more than 20 Olympic-type sports and over 1,000 competitions every year. Engage with us on: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter. Learn more at SpecialOlympicsPA.org.
SportsPITTSBURGH a division of VisitPITTSBURGH, attracts and supports sporting events that drive economic impact and elevate Pittsburgh’s global profile. Forged by partnership and powered by place, SportsPITTSBURGH delivers world-class events that leave a lasting legacy.
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