WWI Museum launches Truce Day soccer tournament Dec. 26

Photo courtesy WWI Museum.

For soccer fans across the world – and now in Kansas City – Dec. 26 is a big day.

In the United Kingdom, the English Premier League has long held matches on what’s known there as Boxing Day.

This year, the National World War I Museum has teamed up with Sporting KC to start what they hope will be a new local tradition. They’re planning a dual event: a soccer tournament outside on the south lawn of the museum grounds, and a English Premier League watch party inside.

They’re calling the event the Truce Tournament, a historical nod to Dec. 26, 1914 during World War I. On that day, unofficial ceasefires erupted along the front, with soldiers from opposite sides mingling, singing carols and playing friendly games of soccer.

The Truce Tournament will be structured as a 
World Cup-style tournament with 3v3 teams beginning play in a round-robin group stage. The top 1-2 teams from each group will advance to single-elimination knockout rounds.

Between games, participants will find plenty of entertainment options inside the WWI Museum, with Boulevard providing beer on tap for everyone taking part in the EPL Watch Party.

Proceeds from The Truce Tournament will benefit The Victory Project in its mission to help kids in Kansas City who have cancer.

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