MLS tournament is coming to Bradenton. Here’s how you can watch in person or online

An international youth soccer tournament that has showcased future stars of the beautiful game is returning to Bradenton’s IMG Academy.

Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT announced Wednesday that 80 clubs, including every MLS academy and 49 club academies from 15 different countries, are participating in the 2024 Generation adidas Cup from March 30 through April 7.

The tournament features two age groups, U-17 and U-15, with games streamed on Apple TV through the MLS Season Pass, which costs $14.99 per month or $99 per season. The Apple TV app is available in more than 100 countries and regions.

For those living locally, the event is open to the public and is free to watch. There are no tickets needed.

“The Generation adidas Cup represents MLS’ continued commitment to player development and providing the best young players in North America the chance to compete against top international teams,” said MLS Executive Vice President Charles Altchek in a news release. “The 15th edition of the tournament, featuring the most global participation to-date, will showcase MLS’ world-class player pathway and its role in shaping the future of North American soccer.”

The tournament was also held at IMG Academy last year. Some past notable players to take part in one of the previous 14 editions include Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez, who starred with Lionel Messi for Argentina in winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Alvarez currently plays for Manchester City and Fernandez plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Here’s a list of the competing international clubs by age division with club name and country listed to join each MLS club’s academy team:

U-17

• Atlas F.C. Mexico

• Atlético Nacional Colombia

• AZ Alkmaar Netherlands

• Flamengo Brazil

• HNK Hajduk Split Croatia

• Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors South Korea

• CF Monterrey Mexico

• Club Necaxa Mexico

• PSV Netherlands

• River Plate Argentina

U-15

• Arsenal FC England

• Brøndby IF Denmark

• KRC Genk Belgium

• Manchester United FC England

• CF Monterrey Mexico

• Club Necaxa Mexico

• FC Nordsjælland Denmark

• Sporting Clube de Portugal Portugal

• Toulouse FC France

• Valencia CF Spain

Tournament format

Teams are divided into 10 groups of four between the two age groups. Group draws are random, utilizing buckets categorized by division for MLS academies, while international clubs are drawn randomly, the news release said.

Sixteen teams advance to the single-elimination championship bracket, which comprises the 10 group winners and the top-six second-place finishers. The next-best 16 teams enter a consolation bracket, with the final eight teams competing in consolation groups to provide more competitive matches.

All teams competing in the 2024 Generation adidas Cup are guaranteed to play seven 60-minute matches, comprised of two 30-minute halves. The championship matches in both age groups will be extended to 70-minute matches. All contests that are tied at the end of regulation go directly to penalty-kick shootout.

There are no extra time periods.

Awards are handed out to the tournament’s most valuable player, top scorer, top goalkeeper and a tournament best XI for the top performing player at each position.

Broadcast details and match schedules will be announced closer to the tournament’s start date later in March.