JJ AND KEALIA WATT TO HEADLINE BURNLEY FC ENTRIES IN THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT (TST)

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Burnley becomes first English Premier League club to have TST entries in both events

2024-04-10T13:00:00.000Z

JJ AND KEALIA WATT TO HEADLINE BURNLEY FC ENTRIES IN THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT (TST)

Burnley becomes first English Premier League club to have TST entries in both events

2024-04-10T13:00:00.000Z

Burnley becomes first English Premier League club to have TST entries in both events

The Soccer Tournament (TST), the 7v7 event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize, today announced that English Premier League side Burnley Football Club will be entering teams in TST’s men’s and women’s competitions. Burnley FC co-owners and American former sports stars JJ and Kealia Watt will headline the Club’s men’s and women’s teams, respectively.

Burnley becomes the first English Premier League club to enter teams in both the men’s and women’s brackets of the Tournament.

Burnley FC co-owner JJ Watt said: “It’s really exciting for both Kealia and I to headline Burnley FC’s men’s and women’s teams at TST. We’ve called some friends and are planning on bringing the best teams we can to compete. We are both highly competitive individuals, so we’ll be giving it our all in claret and blue!

“It’s going to be a proud moment for me, captaining the Burnley men’s team. The Club and town have an important place in my heart, so I want to represent Burnley well. Now it’s all about preparing so we’re ready to go.”

Burnley FC President, Stuart Hunt added his excitement for the Club’s involvement in the Tournament: “We couldn’t be more excited to get involved in TST and have JJ and Kealia headline our men’s and women’s teams. We saw the success of last year’s Tournament and knew instantly that we wanted to be a part of this year’s event. JJ and Kealia are the perfect individuals to captain the Club at TST, it will be exciting to see them back in a competitive atmosphere again.

“It’s great to see that TST have added a women’s competition to this year’s Tournament. At Burnley Football Club we’re very passionate about women’s football, so this was a big appeal for us. To become the first English Premier League club to enter teams in both the men’s and women’s brackets is fantastic! We are excited to see both teams take to the pitch in North Carolina in June.”

JJ Watt, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, will captain Burnley Football Club in the men’s Tournament and play alongside a number of former Burnley players and celebrities alike. Kealia Watt makes her return to the North Carolina soccer scene following an illustrious career at the University of North Carolina where she helped lead the Tar Heels to a NCAA Division I National Championship. Kealia went on to enjoy a successful eight-year NWSL career. She will captain Burnley Football Club in the women’s Tournament and play alongside a select group of women who she played with and against at the collegiate and professional levels.

JJ AND KEALIA WATT TO HEADLINE BURNLEY FC ENTRIES IN THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT (TST) - Image 1

"We are excited to welcome JJ & Kealia Watt to TST 2024," said TST founder and CEO Jon Mugar. "With Kealia entering a Burnley team and playing on the women's side and JJ spearheading a Burnley team and playing on the men's side, we know Burnley will present well. We can't wait to see this unfold eight weeks from today in North Carolina."

The Tournament will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina from June 5-10. Forty-eight men’s teams will compete in a World Cup-style tournament:

● Group Stage: June 5-6

● Round of 32: June 7

● Round of 16: June 8

● Quarter-Finals: June 8

● Semi-Finals: June 9

● Final: June 10

Burnley joins Wrexham Red Dragons, LALIGA’s Villarreal CF, Serie B’s Como 1907, Hashtag United, and teams headlined by former Premier League stars Sergio Aguero and Luis Nani respectively among other teams in the men’s tournament at TST.

Burnley Football Club will headline the inaugural women’s Tournament alongside the Heather O’Reilly-led US Women team. The women’s tournament will feature a total of eight teams all competing for an equal $1M, winner-take-all, cash prize. The eight participating teams will compete over three days:

● Group Stage: June 7

● Semi-Final: June 9

● Final: June 10

Burnley FC co-owner and TST captain Kealia Watt added: “We’re delighted to announce our involvement in TST. Having the opportunity to represent Burnley on the pitch and compete against Clubs from around the globe will be incredibly special.

“I’m also looking forward to making history with the inaugural women’s Tournament. This is an important addition and I’m pleased to see TST’s commitment to an equal prize for the winning men’s and women’s teams. I’m looking forward to playing in the Burnley shirt and reuniting with some of my former teammates.”

Both the men’s and women’s events will conclude in a winner-take-all championship doubleheader on June 10, with a total of $2M in prize money being awarded.

Select matches for TST 2024 will be broadcast throughout the United States on ESPN networks.