2026 National Championships

Keeper Wars ink 6th Annual, 2026 National Championship

This year's event will bring together over 300 Youth & Adult Goalkeepers from across the U.S.!

Keeper Wars Ink, February 27, 2026

We are beyond excited to officially announce the location of the 2026 Keeper Wars National Championships!

This year, our 6th Annual Championship Weekend is headed to Ellicott City, Maryland, where the top qualifying goalkeepers, youth & adults from across the country will come together for an unforgettable Nationals experience.

Ellicott City sits in the heart of one of the strongest soccer regions in the country, just outside Washington, DC and within reach of Baltimore and Annapolis. With the United States celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026, this championship year will carry even more energy, pride, and excitement. We cannot imagine a better setting for our biggest stage. And we cannot wait to share some very exciting additions to this years’s event!

Nationals is not an open tournament. Every goalkeeper earns their place through regional competition by stepping into pressure and performing. Keeper Wars is built specifically for goalkeepers. Rapid decision making. Shot stopping. Distribution. Mental toughness. This is where confidence is forged.

Registration is officially open for athletes who have already qualified! If your goalkeeper has earned their spot, keep an eye on your inbox. A detailed email with important next steps and athlete specific information will be coming your way in the next few days.

If your goalkeeper has not yet qualified, there is still time. Regional events are continuing across the country, and the road to Ellicott City is still wide open. We would love to see your athlete step onto the field, compete, and fight for their place at Nationals. Every Keeper Wars event builds resilience, courage, and belief under pressure.

We are so proud of this community. Whether your athlete is chasing qualification or already preparing for Nationals, this journey is about growth, bravery, and rising to the moment.

Thank you for being part of the Keeper Wars family. We cannot wait to see what your goalkeeper does next.

With excitement and gratitude,

Tonya Pinkerton & The Keeper Wars Ink Team

Championship Weekend

Keeper Wars 6th Annual National Championships - Ellicott City, Maryland,  July 31 - August 2, 2026

💚 We will have the following Divisions:

✅ Boys 8-18: Premier & Championship Divisions, by Single Birth Years

✅ Girls 8-18: Premier & Championship Divisions, by Single Birth Years

✅ Collegiate Men 19-25, Collegiate Women 19-25

✅ Men Under 30 & Over 30, Women Under 30 & Over 30

💪 Adults will play Friday Night, July 31

💪 Youth will play Sat/Sun Aug 1-2

WELCOME TO THE District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia!

"We are very excited to welcome everyone to the "DMV" for our 6th Annual National Championships! With this year's World Cup pride & America's 250th Birthday Celebration, we could not think of a better place to celebrate our Goalkeepers Achievements this Year!

Having lived and played soccer in this region myself, I can say that there is something for everyone when it comes to culture and family entertainment! You can travel to multiple cities & states, via car and the metro to find your families' favorite attractions such as: Audi Field for an MLS or NWSL game, Washington DC to visit some of the best museums in the country, the beautiful harbor of Annapolis, the beach, amusement parks, zoos and more! I loved living there and I am excited for our families to experience the area! 

We are thankful for our partnership with Craig Blackburn and his team at The Soccer Association of Columbia, who operate the facility and who are excited to host our upcoming Championships!" Tonya Pinkerton, Keeper Wars Ink Founder & CEO

NATIONALS VENUE: THE BOB LUCIDO FIELDS AT CONVENANT PARK

Located in Ellicott City, Maryland (a suburb of Baltimore, MD) the Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park is home to nine premium soccer fields, as well as two pavilions, a playground/tot lot, concessions stands and public restrooms.

The fields have lights, allowing us ample time to schedule games during ideal playing hours and giving us extra time in the event of inclement weather. We will have concessions, vendors of different kinds and plenty of space and shade for our families to rest in between games. The climate during this season ranges between 69-88. 

"The Soccer Association of Columbia is very excited to be hosting Keeper Wars Ink 2026 National Championships at the Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park.  It will be a great opportunity for the players to showcase their skills and enjoy the experience of a fun and competitive environment."  Craig Blackburn, Executive Director of Soccer Association of Columbia & Baltimore Armour

The introduction of 2 Divisions at our City Tour Events last Season was wonderful! When you bring together athletes from 10 different states on average, the skill level can vary quite a bit. By placing our keepers in the appropriate divisions on day 2 based on seeding from day 1, we saw that the battles were much closer on day 2 with keepers playing "like" competition and in turn, more keepers were able to reach the award stage!

We will have both Premier (Top Division) and Championship (Second Division) at Nationals!  Each Division competing to be named the National Champion in their Division!

"All of us at Keeper Wars Ink want to thank you for joining us on the road again this year! Wether you qualify for Nationals or not, we absolutely love being a part of your goalkeeper's journey and having your family a part of our special community! We can't wait to see everyone again!" Your Keeper Wars Ink Team 🧤

IMPORTANT DATES & LOCATION

*All Games, Check-in and Activities will be held at The Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park

Address: 4560 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, July 31, 2026

• 3:00 -4:30 PM - Player Check-in and Meet & Greet Activities
• 5:00 -6:00 PM - Opening Ceremony, Season 6 Awards & National Anthem
• 7:00 -10:00 PM - Adult National Championships

Saturday, August 1, 2026

• 8:00 AM - Fields Open for Warm Ups
• 8:30 AM Games Kick-Off!

*DC United vs Nashville at Audi Field, 6:30 PM (Ticket Info Coming Soon!)

Sunday, August 2, 2026

• 8:00 AM - Fields Open for Warm Ups
• 8:30 AM Games Kick-Off!
• Award Ceremonies will be at the conclusion of each age groups' final match.

*Washington Spirit vs San Diego at Audi Field, 3:00 PM (Ticket Info Coming Soon!)

Inclement Weather Advisory

Game times will vary based on age group and weather. We will utilize all hours of each day, including playing games in the evening, to give our athletes the best possible playing environment.

*We ask that families do NOT book travel on Saturday or Sunday. If weather forces start early on Saturday or run late on Sunday, we do not want you to forfeit a game.

EVENT QUALIFICATION & REGISTRATION

National Championship Qualification:

• Guaranteed Spot for All Keepers who took 1st Place at any of our City Tour Events this season 
• Guaranteed Spot for Keepers who were the highest finisher in their birth year in a combined age bracket
• Keepers who took 2nd and 3rd will be given an invitation to join us as well, on a first come basis

* Champions, will automatically be placed in the division you qualified in.

* 2nd & 3rd Place Finishers will be placed in either Premier or Championship, depending on their rankings and the group they participated in.

*Keeper Wars Ink Tournament Directors have the right to move players into the divisions they feel they is the appropriate level based on their performance at regionals and their rankings amongst their peers. 

Qualifiers have 10 days to accept their invitation and register before their spot is open to the waitlist.

*Our Season 6 City Tour, will conclude in St. Louis, Missouri, July 11-12, 2026. St. Louis Qualifiers will have until July 15th to register.

HOUSING INFORMATION & STAY-TO-PLAY REQUIREMENT

Keeper Wars Ink has partnered with Halpern Travel to provide a selection of discounted, athlete-friendly hotels at preferred group rates. These properties are selected based on quality, proximity to the venue, and amenities that best serve athletes and families.

All participants are required to book their hotel accommodations through Halpern Travel to remain eligible for Keeper Wars events.

Participants located within a 100-mile radius of the event venue who plan to commute daily are exempt from this housing requirement.

Halpern Travel is committed to delivering a smooth reservation process and supporting the housing needs of all Keeper Wars participants.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OPTIONS & BOOK YOUR HOTEL

FAMILY FRIENDLY THINGS TO EXPLORE IN THE "DMV"!

*We are working with the visitor bureaus in the area to put together some visitor packets for our families!

We will email our families this information as we receive them!  There is so much to do in the region!

THE GOALKEEPER FAMILY REUNION

Buddy / Mentor Program & Player Gift Exchange
*A favorite from last year's event, each keeper & family will be buddied up with another player/family! We invite players to bring one item from their state to exchange with your Buddy! *Gifts must be under $15.

Opening Ceremony & Dress Code

This year we are having a Family Picnic to welcome everyone to Nationals!
Each player this season has chosen or will choose a country to represent who has already qualified, or is in the qualification process of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

We are asking our players to wear a shirt that represents their chosen country! This can be home-made! All Players & family members should wear athletic shoes for some fun contests!

2025-2026 Season Player Photos

• Please submit 1 photo of your keeper in action during this past season to our team through the link below for our player event slideshow.
• JPG format only and Only 1 photo please.

SUBMIT YOUR PLAYER'S PHOTO

NATIONALS PHOTO & VIDEO OPTIONS

26X International ICON Award Winning Sports Photographer & Official Media Star of Keeper Wars Ink, RAGU will have a team of professionals on site to help capture your Keepers' Dives, Flights & Saves and your familys' memories!

Options will include:

• Action Photography (Premium) | Fine Art Prints, Books, & Wall Art by RAGU
• Digital Action Photography
• Action Videography & Highlight Reels
• Family Films & Portraits

With over 300 athletes expected, we highly encourage you to book your media package ASAP! There will be limited spots available for each package.

CLICK THIS LINK TO BOOK YOUR MEDIA COVERAGE

*Make sure to add 2026 Nationals in the Event Section of the media form.

💚 WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME OUR GOALKEEPERS & FAMILIES TO WHAT WILL BE OUR most memorable event yet!

#2026NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIPS #KEEPERSROCK #KEEPERWARSINK #KWI

See everyone soon!
🧤 Your KWI Team

If you need assistance, please email: teamkwi@keeperwarsink.com